- wage increases that keep up with the rising cost of living, not lump-sum bonuses
- better medical and dental benefits
- gains on family-friendly scheduling, sick leave, and other issues.
Due to the solidarity and strength of UFCW members, the employers are beginning to take small steps in the right direction. They dropped their proposal for lump-sums last week, and are now proposing real wage increases each year of the contract. They agreed to add domestic partners to funeral leave this week, and to drop their take-away proposal on previous experience.
The employers still don’t want to offer adequate wages, and they’re offering almost nothing for workers who haven’t reached the top rate. They don’t want to pay what it costs to provide high-quality medical benefits. And they don’t want to accept family-friendly scheduling or sick leave.
These large, profitable companies can afford to share the success with the workers who've made them successful. Winning a contract that shares the success takes muscle in the stores, in the community, and across the country. The Puget Sound Locals are building support in all these areas, so they'll have the strength they need to negotiate the contract they deserve.
Bargaining continues next week.
