Amid crisis, thousands of good union jobs available in state

(March 17, 2020) — Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, many Washington workers are facing reduced hours, quarantines, or temporary layoff. The Washington State Employment Security Department, which manages the state unemployment insurance system, provides a safety net and partial wage replacement for workers facing quarantine or temporary layoff.

But there are also many employers, including the Employment Security Department itself, that are hiring and thousands of good union jobs are available.

GROCERY STORES — Safeway, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, PCC, and other grocery stores currently have thousands of immediate job openings throughout Washington state. In-store positions include deli, meat, bakery, produce, fuel stations, customer service, cashier and courtesy clerk. They are also hiring full- and part-time delivery drivers. These are union jobs — represented by UFCW 21, 367 and 1439 — where employees receive paid training, flexible scheduling, and a benefits package. Follow the links to apply at Safeway, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, and PCC.

TEAMSTER JOBS — Teamsters Local 117 reports that there are several Teamster employers hiring, including for supply chain jobs for the above-mentioned grocery chains, plus other positions. Employers include Darigold, Waste Management, Department of Corrections, several city and county governments, and others. Click here for more information.

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY — As you might image, the state agency that oversees and operates our state unemployment system is rapidly ramping up its staff and has multiple positions open, particularly for intake specialists. These are great union jobs, represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28, with family wages and benefits. Get more information here and here.

We will add more such opportunities to this posting as we are notified of them.