Reflecting on 2024: A Message from the President

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT HINES

As we welcome the new year, it’s important to reflect on our progress as a Union. Since I began serving as your president in 2021, I have learned that success and growth are rarely a straight line. Building a member-driven organization capable of challenging corporate greed comes with its share of challenges. We face resistance from employers digging in their heels, allies choosing compromise over confrontation, and even internal pressures to maintain the status quo.

But there is no growth without change, and there is no change without courage. UFCW Local 367, with just 20 Union Hall staff and 21 Executive Board members, continues to punch above its weight. In 2024, our primary focus was on organizing a militant minority of 5% worksite leaders in preparation for next spring’s big grocery negotiations. I’m proud to report that we have surpassed this goal, and member engagement is at an all-time high. Representatives have been running MET meetings throughout our jurisdiction, while our organizers have spearheaded the Workers’ Bill of Rights policy to ensure better scheduling, safer workplaces, and higher wages.

Through our coalition “South Sound Rising,” we have expanded our reach and impact. This year, we launched an Organizing School to equip members with the knowledge and skills necessary to build a powerful working class in our region. Together, we are creating the momentum needed to push back against corporate overreach and secure a brighter future for workers.

This commitment to progress extends to our Union’s infrastructure. This past October, UFCW Local 367 closed on the historic Fire Station #4 in downtown Tacoma. This new location provides not only immediate space but also room to grow, along with tenant income to support our initiatives. The attached warehouse has been approved for conversion into a 500-seat auditorium with an attached kitchen and classroom for a revised Meat Apprenticeship program. We anticipate the completion of the auditorium in phase one of the project by next fall. This new hall and auditorium will add tremendous value to UFCW 367, serving as a hub of union activity and a beacon for the labor movement in the area.

One of the most significant challenges this year was the proposed Albertsons-Kroger merger. UFCW Local 367, along with allies across Washington State, fought tirelessly to protect our members and communities from its harmful impacts. This merger threatened to reduce competition, drive up grocery prices, and limit shopping options for Washington families.

Thanks to the efforts of Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the solidarity of unions and community members, a King County judge issued a permanent injunction blocking the merger. The judge’s decision declared the merger unlawful, emphasizing that the competition between Kroger and Albertsons benefits Washington consumers and workers.

This victory is a monumental win for our members and all Washingtonians. It reinforces the power of standing together to challenge corporate consolidation and fight for fair competition that protects workers and families alike.

As we look ahead, there are more exciting announcements on the horizon that I can’t wait to share. For now, I wish you all a safe and joyful holiday season spent with family, friends, and co-workers.

I’ll see you in the stores in 2025.

Happy Holidays!

Michael Hines

President, UFCW Local 367