Company Proposes Offer to Settle

Putting More Money in Your Pocket Faster Than Ever

We’ve presented Local 555 with our Offer to Settle towards your new contract. Our investment reflects the deep value we place on YOU- -our hardworking and dedicated associates, and we’re focused on making sure that your contributions are recognized and rewarded.

Our comprehensive offer underscores our unwavering commitment to rapidly enhance our investment in you with:

• Immediate wage increases, and multiple opportunities for additional raises throughout the contract term;
• High-quality, affordable health care benefits, with no changes to plan design or weekly contributions;
• A more secure and reliable pension plan to give you peace of mind in retirement;
• And a ratification bonus for all associates if the contract is ratified by September 5, 2024.

Investment in Wages

Our historical offer provides over $37 million in additional wage increases through the life of the contract. It’s one of the largest initial year wage investments we have ever offered in Portland negotiations.

For example:

• Head Clerks/Journeyperson –$1.50/hr increase at ratification or a 6% to 8% increase, and $1/hr in years two and three − a total increase of $3.50 per hour over the life of the three-year agreement.
• Wage Progressions –$1.50/hr at ratification plus additional increases through the life of the contract.
• One-time Ratification bonus –
  • $1,000 Ratification bonus for those with less than 1 year of service
  • $2,000 Ratification bonus for those with between 1-10 years of service
  • $4,000 Ratification bonus for those with more than 10 years of service
• In addition to the $1.50/hr increase, we have offered an additional $.50/hr in year one for operational flexibility to eligible Journeypersons in addition to the ratification bonus if the contract is ratified by September 5^th. 

High-Quality Affordable Health Care

While medical health care costs are expected to continue to increase by more than 10% in the coming year, we are proposing to enhance your health care benefits while your weekly contributions stay the same through the life of the contract.

What Does This All Mean for You?

The decision is now in your hands. If you believe this contract truly recognizes and rewards your hard work, take action:

• Contact the union and express your support for this offer—you deserve the opportunity to vote on it.
• Remind the union to fulfill their duty and work on your behalf, as that’s what you pay them to do.
• Ask the union the questions we shared about pay and benefits during a strike. Be sure to get their responses in writing.

If you have any further questions, please share those with your store leader, who will keep you updated.  Thank you for all that you do to serve and support our customers, our communities, and each other.