Fred Meyer Teamsters celebrate ratification of a four-year deal in front of Teamsters building in Tacoma where the vote passed.

On Sunday, a bargaining unit of over 400 Teamsters working at the Fred Meyer distribution center in Puyallup voted overwhelmingly to ratify a four-year agreement. The new contract delivers wage improvements, enhanced retiree medical benefits, and introduces strike-honoring language, among other significant wins.

Teamsters at Fred Meyer have established themselves as a vocal group of unionists unafraid to take a stand in pursuit of industry-leading contracts. For over a decade, they have pursued strike authorization with every contract cycle. This time around, the powerful negotiations team—led by Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher and including Senior Staff Attorney Briana Drakes, Senior Union Representative Lance Asher, and 11 Shop Stewards from the bargaining unit—left nothing on the table.

"I am grateful to Paul Dascher for his detail-oriented work throughout the negotiations process," said Yury Silva, a Shop Steward who has worked at Fred Meyer for 25 years and brings a decade of shop steward experience. "I rate this deal an A-plus. I couldn't be happier."

Teamsters 117 Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher (r) described the newly ratified contract as "life-changing".

Key Contract Improvements

Beyond wage increases and significant vacation improvements, this contract addressed the critical issue of medical coverage for retirees that has been disputed over the last three years. Now, the contract spells out eligibility and processes for retiree medical coverage in crystal-clear terms while adding dental and vision coverage to the retiree health plan—no small feat. The bargaining team was also successful in pushing back against the company attempting to increase health and welfare premiums. As a result, the premiums will  maintain no increases since 2018 and remain the same for the entire length of the contract.

For over 30 years, workers at Fred Meyer lacked protection for their right to honor a strike line. This was an artifact of the original agreement with the company. A critical achievement in this contract cycle is the introduction of language protecting workers' right to refuse to cross or work behind a picket line.

"The company has long benefited from this group's lack of a  right to honor a strike line, but we were able to claw back these rights for our members this time around," said Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher after the votes were counted. "This is a contract that lifts the industry and will change the lives of many Teamsters at Fred Meyer."

Tristan Anderson (l) and Cory Trif (r) are father and son duo working at Fred Meyer distribution center in Puyallup, who will benefit from the strong contract.

Generations of Teamsters Impacted

Cory Trif has worked at Fred Meyer for 17 years, and now his son Tristan works alongside him at the Puyallup facility. Three years ago, Cory stepped into a shop steward role, driven by his commitment to hold the company accountable to the workers who make the grocery giant successful.

"When my son Tristan entered the job market, he started at another job that didn't turn out to be a great fit," said Cory. "So I brought him to the union side. I'm proud to see my son working at a place where I've helped strengthen the union. Here, he's able to do a day's worth of hard work and support himself and his family. I believe this contract helps us achieve that."