Endorsements start on the shop floor in a process which truly reflects what matters most for the workplaces and communities of UFCW 367 members. Endorsements start on the shop floor in a process which truly reflects what matters most for the workplaces and communities of UFCW 367 members. It begins with UFCW 367's Political Endorsement Committee, rank-and-file members who volunteer to evaluate candidates. They interview each one, delving into their policies and selecting the best candidates to recommend to the Executive Board. The member-elected and member-comprised Executive Board reviews the recommendations before voting for endorsement. UFCW 367 endorsements — member-driven and member-focused. Always. Endorsement Menu: Candidates David Berg David has a clear vision for his district: strengthening public education, expanding economic opportunities, and protecting the rights of workers. His record on the Puyallup School Board has earned him the support of labor across Washington, including the Washington Education Association, IAM 751, and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board are proud to add our endorsement to the list, so that David can bring his collaborative approach and community focus to Olympia. Ian Birk Judge Birk has served on the Washington Court of Appeals, Division I, since 2022, when he was appointed by the State Governor and subsequently retained by voters. In that role, he has focused on the right of every person to equal access to justice, equal treatment under the law, and fair outcomes. His campaign has drawn support from a majority of the sitting Supreme Court and dozens of current and former appellate judges from across Washington's 39 counties. His only interest is in the fair application of the law and for that, the members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board are proud to endorse Judge Ian Birk for the Washington State Supreme Court. Emily Clouse A military veteran and a former union member, Clouse has already proven her effectiveness during her first term. She championed budgetary transparency and was the sole commissioner to oppose a salary increase for elected officials that was double the cost-of-living increase given to county staff. She delivered $25 million in funding for affordable housing initiatives and helped launch a program to reduce homeowners' energy costs. The members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board endorse Emily Clouse because of what she accomplished in her first term and what she will continue to prioritize in her second. Renee Hernandez Greenfield Renee's path in life has centered on helping children and supporting families in need. She's spent years working in child welfare, has taught at Tacoma Community College, and focused on lifting up those in underserved and Indigenous communities. If elected, Renee will fight for stronger public schools, sustainable climate policies, support for workers and their families, and increased affordability for all Washingtonians. She is a union member herself and grew up in a union household, with both parents members and stewards of the United Steelworkers. The members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board endorse Renee Hernandez Greenfield because she will champion the needs of our community in District 26. Miguel Gutierrez Currently a sitting city council member for Shelton, Miguel Gutierrez wants to bring his worker-focused platform to the county level. His first priority is affordable, quality housing — including stronger regulation of landlords and rental inspections. He supports the Workers' Bill of Rights and pledged to stay accountable through active participation in community meetings and direct feedback from his constituents, while committing to find bipartisan paths to get his goals passed. The members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board endorse Miguel because his platform matches what our members need: real housing accountability and a representative who answers to his constituents. The people overwhelmingly voted to advance Miguel in the primary, now he needs your vote in the general election! Jaime Hawk Judge Hawk has served on the King County Superior Court since 2022, when she was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee, and has since been reelected by King County voters. Before taking the bench, she spent over two decades as a public defender and civil rights attorney and she now currently serves on the Washington Supreme Court's Minority and Justice Commission. In her time on the King County bench, Judge Hawk has presided over a wide range of complex civil, criminal, and family law cases, earning a reputation for fairness and thoughtfulness. Her campaign has centered on expanding access to justice, protecting constitutional rights, and ensuring an independent, impartial judiciary. For all these reasons, the members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board are proud to endorse Judge Jaime Hawk for the Washington State Supreme Court. Colleen Melody Justice Melody began serving as the 100th Justice of the Washington Supreme Court at the start of 2026, but she has already distinguished herself through her prior experience in the Washington State Attorney General's Office. She has tirelessly advocated for improved access to the courts, recognizing the barriers that prevent people from meaningfully exercising their right to be heard. She has volunteered to help advance rules to improve access, and has supported pro bono legal service programs and minority law student scholarships. In our interview Justice Melody prioritized judicial independence, access to justice, and equal treatment under the law. For these reasons, the members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board are proud to endorse her reelection. JJ Olson JJ Olson has spent over a decade working within the Assessor's Office, learning the nuances of each position and gaining the experience necessary to lead the department. He understands what the constituency needs from the Assessor and has vowed to run the office transparently, accurately, and equitably. His goal is to have a modern office which clearly communicates with taxpayers and that is why the members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board endorse him. Krista Perez Despite her opponent being an incumbent, Krista Perez comfortably won the people's votes in the primaries. People want change and Krista Perez's platform is unapologetically working-class. She is championing affordable housing, investments into childcare programs, and supporting real solutions to the cost of living crisis. She told our committee she supports the Worker's Bill of Rights, and Krista is committing to strengthening the working class through three platform pillars: collective bargaining, safe working conditions, and retirement security. Her campaign is backed by a broad labor coalition for good reason — and it's why the members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board choose to endorse her. Patrick Stickney Patrick Stickney's roots run close to our own, he worked his first job in high school at a grocery store, where he learned the value of hard work and the strength of unions. Patrick's platform centers on housing solutions, real relief from rising costs, and protections for Washington's workers, like expanding opportunities for unionization, fair wages, and stronger protections for workers' well-being on the job. The members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board endorse Patrick because he has lived our experiences and will carry our voices into the halls of our Capitol. Jenn Marie Strickling Strickling is a former union laborer and a small business owner. As a Pierce County Charter Commissioner she advocated for union job requirements on public contracts and making certain that local public dollars were reinvested into local businesses, not outside contractors. She understands the balance that allows business and labor to thrive together and that, along with the rest of her platform, is why the members of the UFCW 367 Executive Board choose to endorse her. Initiatives and Proposals Tacoma Measure 1 - YES The Tenant Bill of Rights passed in 2023, but an unenforced law is a toothless law. The 'SAFE Homes for All' ballot initiative changes that. Tenants will be able to recover funds through mandatory fines on non-compliant landlords, tenants will have the right to organize, and small landlords and tenants will gain access to new education programs — funded primarily through fees levied against the largest corporate landlords with repeat violations. Learn more at: https://www.tacomaforall.info Pierce Transit Proposition 1 - YES Pierce Transit Proposition 1 will deliver for transit riders, drivers, workers, and businesses in Pierce County: 47% more transit service, no more hourly waits for buses, service until 10 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, free fares for seniors, and more. Learn more at: https://www.keeppiercemoving.org/ Initiative Measure No. IP26-645 - NO Working families in WA are already struggling with overcrowded classrooms, expensive childcare, and skyrocketing healthcare costs. I-645 would only make these problems worse. I-645 would blow a $13 billion hole in funding for health care, child care, and K-12 education. That’s real harm to real families. Learn more at: https://no645.com/

UFCW 367 members and staff on the steps of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division 2 - Sept 2026 TACOMA, WA (Oct 7, 2026) - Tacoma workers and voters won a major victory as the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the City Council must take the steps required by the City Charter to place the Workers’ Bill of Rights initiative before voters. The decision vindicates nearly 10,000 Tacoma residents who signed petitions for the initiative, which would establish stronger standards for wages, scheduling, access to hours, and workplace safety. The City Council rejected the measure and scheduled an election after the legal deadline. Initiative proponents UFCW 367, Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America, and Washington Community Action Network sued and prevailed in Superior Court. The City appealed that decision. The appeals court rejected the City’s attempt to nullify the qualified initiative, holding that the City failed to meet its Charter obligations and cannot use a missed election deadline to deny voters their say. “As a Tacoma resident and voter, I’m thrilled that the court has decided to respect the choice that 10,000 people made to put the Workers’ Bill of Rights to a public vote,” said UFCW 367 member Patrick Lowery. “The court’s decision reinforces our constitutional rights as citizens and shows that when the people are united in our fight, we win.” The coalition will return to Superior Court to seek a remedy that puts the Workers’ Bill of Rights before Tacoma voters and delivers the democratic process promised by the City Charter.

The men and women of Carsten's Packing Co, Circa 1909 — These employees would become the backbone of Local 553 when it was founded in 1916 110 years ago, Sept 28, 1916, the meat cutters of Tacoma chose to take control of their own destiny and chartered Local 553. Working together made them a union but they still had to fight bitterly for recognition. A year later, in Dec 1917, saw them go strike with only two demands: Union recognition and increased wages for the young women working in the meat packing plants. Almost three years before the 19th amendment would recognize a woman's right to vote, union laborers were striking over fairer treatment across the gender divide. The union's proposal would have increased the women's wages by $50-70 per week in today's dollars, adjusted for inflation. This strike soon spread to workers in Seattle and Spokane, who added demands for an 8-hour workday and improved working conditions. It culminated with the federal government appealing to the worker's patriotism for a truce until the Great War ended, a truce shakily kept until the 1919 Seattle General Strike. Nearly seven decades later, Local 553 merged with the Retail Clerks Union to form UFCW 367. On this anniversary of their fateful decision, we can only aspire to live up to their bravery and dedication. The Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen proudly marching in their long white coats during the 1919 Tacoma Labor Day Parade

Celebrating 57 years as a union member, Lillian started before UFCW 367 even gained its current name. Listen to her story as she talks to UFCW 367 President Michael Hines about her career from 1969 to now.

TACOMA, WA (Aug 28, 2026) - For years, the Fred Meyer in the James Center commercial area has served as a critical anchor for the local micro-economy. Surrounding small businesses depend on the regular foot traffic generated by the grocery store. Its shuttering threatens to turn West Tacoma into an immediate food desert — where affordable, healthy grocery options are economically out of reach for local residents, leaving communities reliant on convenience stores and fast-food outlets. The planned closure directly impacts 100 dedicated, unionized retail employees and threatens to cut off thousands of residents — particularly seniors, low-income households, and transit-dependent families — from affordable fresh food, pharmacy services, and essential goods. UFCW 367 emphasizes that the strength of this store has always been driven by the workers themselves. "Workers drive the profits of Fred Meyer and are indisputably the most important part of this company," Michael Hines said. "This decision doesn't reward their years of hard work; it just adds to the immense stress of trying to survive in this current economic environment. Our primary focus now is to ensure our members are looked after during this process. Transfers must be made accessible without forcing unrealistic commutes on workers and wages and accrued benefits must be protected. Corporations must be reminded that a neighborhood's access to food and fair jobs is non-negotiable." This last July, the Washington State Labor Council and UFCW 367 passed a resolution addressing food deserts (PDF). This closure stands as another unfortunate example of the need for legislation to protect and expand equitable grocery access. UFCW 367 will be bargaining over the impact this decision will have on its members and will support them throughout this process.

TACOMA, WA (Sept 2, 2026) - On Friday, August 28, Kroger told UFCW 367 and our members they were closing the James Center Fred Meyer due to a rent increase. Today, the property management firm publicly denied Kroger’s claim that it attempted to raise rent (The News Tribune). Negotiations between Kroger and Rosen Harbottle Commercial Real Estate were private, conducted without our involvement. UFCW 367 has now submitted an information request with Kroger Corporate to conduct our own independent investigation. Whatever the true reasons for the closure, it does not change what is happening to our members and this community. We are focused on protecting the people affected, and we won't waver in our cause. UFCW 367 will bargain over the impact this decision will have on our members and support them throughout this process.

President April Sims, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO The member-led UFCW 367 delegate committee and staff represented at the 2026 WSLC Constitutional Convention in Wenatchee this week. Today, delegates from across Washington's labor movement voted to adopt Resolution 2026.31, addressing food deserts and expanding equitable grocery access statewide. UFCW 367 Executive Board Member, Jason Van Hoy Food deserts do not happen because communities cannot support grocery stores. They happen because corporate consolidation and greed pull full-service stores out of working-class neighborhoods, disproportionately leaving seniors, people with disabilities, and communities of color without reliable access to fresh food. With Resolution 2026.31 adopted, WSLC will advocate for public policy that incentivizes full-service grocery stores in underserved communities and prioritizes high-quality union jobs in the process. Grocery access and good union jobs aren't separate fights. They're the same fight. Our future is built the same way UFCW 367 runs now: member-driven & worker-decided. UFCW 367 members and staff

Workers at The Herbal Gardens (THG) made the decision to form a union with UFCW Local 367 because they wanted a voice on the job and the opportunity to negotiate a fair contract. They believed that by standing together, they could improve their workplace for themselves and for future employees. Months later, they're still waiting. Despite numerous bargaining sessions, THG management has made little to no meaningful progress toward reaching a fair first contract. Workers continue to push for improvements that would make a real difference in their daily lives, including fair wages, better scheduling, workplace protections, and respect on the job. Instead of making meaningful progress, negotiations have remained largely stalled. Every worker deserves a workplace where they are treated with dignity and where their concerns are taken seriously. A first contract is about more than wages; it's about creating clear standards, protecting workers' rights, and ensuring employees have a voice in the decisions that affect their jobs. That's why THG workers are asking the community for support. Here's How You Can Help THG Workers One of the most powerful ways to support these workers is by signing the community petition. When community members, customers, labor allies, and supporters add their names, it sends a clear message to THG management: Tacoma stands with workers. Your signature shows that our community believes workers deserve: A fair first contract Respect at the bargaining table Good-faith negotiations Fair wages and working conditions A workplace where employees have a real voice Every signature helps demonstrate that these workers are not standing alone. Why Community Support Matters When workers organize, they aren't just fighting for themselves; they're helping raise standards throughout the industry. Strong contracts lead to better workplaces, stronger communities, and more stable local jobs. THG workers have shown tremendous courage by standing together throughout this process. Now they're asking the community to stand with them. Sign the Petition Today If you believe workers deserve a fair contract and a fair chance at the bargaining table, we encourage you to sign the petition today. ✍️ Sign the petition here:https://form.jotform.com/261675461644059 Then help spread the word by sharing the petition with your friends, family, coworkers, and community. Together, we can send a powerful message: Respect workers. Bargain fairly. Settle a fair contract. Work in the Cannabis Industry? If you're a cannabis worker facing low pay, inconsistent scheduling, or a lack of respect on the job, you don't have to face it alone. UFCW Local 367 represents cannabis workers across the South Sound and is helping workers build stronger, safer workplaces through collective action. Interested in organizing your workplace? Contact a UFCW 367 organizer for a confidential conversation and learn how to get started.

The Herbal Gardens bargaining committee submitted another comprehensive proposal today and received a response from the Employer. A crack in the brick wall of rejections and refusals opened up, allowing some small steps to be made. We're back at the bargaining table next Thursday, June 25. More to come.

Jay Oak-Schiller, a longtime UFCW Local 367 member and shop steward from Fred Meyer Stevens, was invited to speak at the biennial Labor Notes Conference, the largest gathering of grassroots union activists and organizers in North America. This year's conference brought together over 4,500 union members, organizers, and labor activists from across the continent. Jay participated in the panel "Unions, Climate, and the Fight for Affordability," which explored the connections between climate justice, economic justice, and the role unions can play in addressing both. During the discussion, Jay highlighted Local 367's involvement in winning some of the strongest tenant protections in the country through Tacoma's Tenants' Bill of Rights. He spoke on how rising housing costs and economic insecurity affect working people, and how unions can build power not only in the workplace but also in the broader community. His presentation showcased how UFCW 367 members have worked alongside tenants, community organizations, and other allies to advance policies that improve the lives of working families. Jay's presentation put Local 367's member-driven model on the national stage: concrete proof of what is possible when workers organize together to take on the challenges they face on and off the job.