Solidarity with grocery workers

WSLC Executive Board passes resolution pledging full support for UFCW Local 367 grocery workers fighting for a fair contract

TACOMA, WA (May 27, 2025) — Grocery store workers are in the thick of contract negotiations at Kroger and Albertsons; in the Puget Sound region, the workers represented by UFCW Local 367 are fighting for a fair contract under the slogan “Wage Up, Staff Up.”  Workers are demanding fair wages, more hours, and safe stores, including addressing understaffing, enforcing safety protocols, and ensuring management takes action to protect the safety of both workers and customers. A member-led process, UFCW Local 367 is using an open bargaining strategy, encouraging members to directly engage with contract negotiations.

The companies have responded with offers that would take money out of workers’ pockets by taking away overtime pay after eight hours for grocery workers, taking away an overtime premium triggered after the sixth consecutive work day, and reducing hours for some workers. Management is also pushing a clause that would limit the workers’ ability to fight for fair contracts in the future.

UFCW Local 367 members pose for a photo while gathering signatures for their support petition out front of grocery stores this past week. Photo: UFCW Local 367

This past weekend, UFCW Local 367 members responded to these disrespectful offers from management by leafletting outside stores, building awareness among customers and gathering community signatures for their petition supporting their contract demands.

While the employers attempt to play hardball, organized labor is standing united with grocery workers. The executive board of the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) unanimously approved a resolution in support of the workers at its May meeting. The resolution commits the WSLC’s full support to the workers’ fight for a fair contract, and affirms the Council’s support of choices made by the grocery workers as they determine the best steps forward. Should workers be pushed to strike, the resolution commits the WSLC to “support their campaign up to and including a strike, and encourage affiliate locals and members to not cross picket lines, to provide information to the community to identify grocery stores not impacted by any campaign up to and including a strike as alternative places to shop during the dispute, and pledge to stand with grocery workers for as long as it takes to achieve a fair contract.”

“The hard work of our UFCW 367 siblings is what makes it possible for any of us to put food on our tables,” said WSLC President April Sims. “Massive grocery companies are reporting record profits. They should recognize that those profits are only possible because of the labor of their employees, and agree to a contract that fairly compensates, protects, and respects the workers. Grocery workers will keep fighting until they get that fair contract, and Washington’s labor movement has their back every step of the way.”

Bargaining sessions resume tomorrow, with additional dates this week and next. A June 5 session is open to community allies as well as Local 367 members.

TAKE A STAND: sign the 2025 Grocery Community Support Letter in solidarity with the workers.