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Crew members of Trader Joe's United are bargaining for a contract that includes, most notably, economic proposals that aim to increase starting pay, return to guaranteed retirement contributions, expand health coverage, and increase Paid Time Off. The initial proposal specifically asks for:
-A starting wage of $30/hr, (plus adjustments for seniority, annual cost-of-living increases, and annual progression increases)
-Every crew member and merchant to be eligible for our employer's best health care plan with no hour minimum
-Increased Absence Reserve to cover vacation and personal days, plus dedicated sick days and bereavement time
-Crew and merchants to receive guaranteed 20% annual retirement contributions
Negotiations naturally involve a lot of back and forth between two parties. These initial proposals are the starting points of working toward a contract that will improve our working conditions and compensation. No economic proposals have been agreed upon. Agreements have been reached on issues including Jury Duty, Military Leave, and Severability.
Who sits at the bargaining table?
The policies being negotiated at the bargaining table are for crew members, so it is crew members who sit at the bargaining table as Trader Joe's United. Any crew member who wants to participate in the union effort can have a seat at the bargaining table, and every member of the crew is encouraged to participate in contract negotiation conversations. Bargaining is occurring as closed-door negotiations, so spectators are not allowed at the bargaining tables. All unionized crew members vote on the ratification of all contracts.
You have the right to have a union representative at any meeting or investigatory interview with a supervisor or administrator that you reasonably believe might lead to discipline. These are called your Weingarten Rights, named after a 1975 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Your supervisor does not have to notify you of your right to union representation - you must assert your Weingarten Rights. This applies to everyone who works in a unionized child care center, school, college of university, whether public or private.
To assert your Weingarten Rights, say:
"If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined, terminated, or could affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative be present."
October 26th
-Pronoun pins
-Representation
-Severability
June 2nd
Much ado about hybrid bargaining