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   From: yourdime@outlook.com   
      
   SEATTLE — Hundreds of Macy’s department store workers went on strike   
   Friday at three western Washington locations over what the union called   
   unfair labor practices.   
      
   About 400 workers were expected to picket at Southcenter Mall in Tukwila,   
   Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood and Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham, which the   
   union said would effectively shut down stores. Macy's has confirmed stores   
   will remain open.   
      
   UFCW 3000, the union that represents the workers, claimed Macy’s isn’t   
   doing enough to keep wages up to inflation, address shoplifting, “violent”   
   shoppers and other safety threats.   
      
   “Our customers need a safe place, we as workers need a safe place and all   
   we are asking is that Macy’s provide a clear policy so we can help make   
   this a safe place for everyone,” said Azia Domingo, who has worked at the   
   Southcenter Mall Macy’s for 21 years.   
      
   Domingo also stated there is a need for a more transparent safety policy   
   because there is a fear of retaliation or being fired among workers for   
   calling 911.   
      
   In a statement, a Macy's spokesperson said, "At Macy’s, we respect the   
   rights of our colleagues. As always, our top priority is to ensure the   
   safety of our colleagues and customers in-store. Our stores remain open to   
   serve our valued customers as we continue to work through contract   
   negotiations with the union."   
      
   When KING 5 asked the department store to specifically provide its safety   
   policy and whether employees are suspended for calling help, Macy’s said   
   it had no further comment.   
      
   “There’s been a lot of shootings in our mall and a lot of that spills into   
   our store,” Domingo said.   
      
   She remembers the recent shootings at the mall that seem to happen during   
   the holidays. In November of 2022, a man was killed during an attempted   
   car theft and less than a week later, two teens were sent to the hospital   
   in a shooting. The year prior, in November of 2021, a 17-year-old was shot   
   and killed in a mall parking lot.   
      
   “We’re tired of being frightened and endangered at work,” said Mary   
   Stephen who works at the Alderwood Mall Macy’s in Lynnwood, “My hope is   
   that it doesn’t last very long and we can come to a fair solution for all   
   of us for safety, better affordable healthcare and better pay.”   
      
   The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group,   
   said its latest security survey of roughly 177 retailers found that   
   inventory loss — called shrink — clocked in at an average rate of 1.6%   
   last year, representing $112.1 billion in losses. That's up from 1.4% the   
   previous year.   
      
   On Oct. 6, 96% of unionized Macy’s workers voted to authorize an unfair   
   labor practice strike over the next few months if Macy’s didn’t offer   
   “substantial” improvements in contract negotiations.   
      
   Macy’s, the union and workers met Nov. 6, 7 and 15 to negotiate and   
   couldn’t reach an agreement. On Nov. 17, the workers announced the Black   
   Friday strike at what it said was some of the busiest stores in   
   Washington.   
      
   The union asked shoppers to shop elsewhere if they saw workers picketing   
   outside a Macy’s on Black Friday.   
      
   https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/macys-strike-alderwood-   
   southcenter-unfair-labor-practices/281-65be73e1-4fc7-4243-8cd1-   
   888672e3a882   
      
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