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News and Updates
November 1, 2016
Local 648 Sponsors Prop 47 Clinic
On Oct. 22, UFCW Local 648, in partnership with Californians for Safety and Justice and the San Francisco Labor Council, hosted a Proposition 47 Live Scan, record change and job fair clinic in San Francisco to help people with prior nonviolent felonies to petition to get their records changed.
At the event, attorneys volunteered their time and met with each attendee, one on one. The San Francisco Labor Council, City College of San Francisco, Up Vote and the San Francisco Airport Office of Employment all had informational booths, as well. Union members that attended the Proposition 47 Live Scan event and attorney meetings said they were thankful for the opportunity to change their records and move forward with their lives.
In November 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, a measure that reduces certain low-level crimes from potential felonies to misdemeanors. The savings from reduced incarceration costs are invested in drug and mental health treatment, programs for at-risk students in K-12 schools, and victim services. Over one million Californians quality for Proposition 47, but only about 250,000 people have petitioned to have their records changed. Proposition 47 was due to sunset in November 2017, but Governor Jerry Brown recently signed AB 2757 to extend the time to petition for another five years.
The UFCW has partnered with a number of local and national organizations in an effort to bring to light the issues that are plaguing our communities and transform the criminal justice system.
UFCW International Vice President and Director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department Robin Williams believes restorative rights are especially important for workers. “When you get out of jail, how do you take care of your family if you can’t get a job?” Williams said.
Together with our allies, the UFCW is dedicated to shifting the focus away from punishment and toward educational opportunities that help people change their lives and get back on track.
November 1, 2016
UFCW Hosts Tele-Town Hall with Senator Cory Booker
As part of our election year push to get out the vote, the UFCW International hosted a tele-town hall on Oct. 27 with members in key battleground states that featured Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, one of Hillary Clinton’s top national surrogates.
The purpose of this event was to discuss the issues that matter most to UFCW members and show people that the stakes of this election are too high for anyone to stay home and not vote. Members asked Senator Booker questions about healthcare, retirement security, education, paid leave and equal pay. His answers reinforced the fact that Hillary Clinton has real plans in place to address the real challenges of hard-working men and women.
One of the biggest themes to come out of this event was that a lot more needs to be done for families who are struggling and young people trying to get a start. We’re all tired of an election season that has been filled with toxicity and divisiveness and are hoping the next president will be more focused on solutions. In just one week, people all across America will have the chance to cast their ballot. The UFCW is proud to have members in every battleground state canvassing, making phone calls and having worksite discussions so that our votes are counted and our voices heard on Election Day and beyond.
To listen to a recording of the event, visit www.ufcwaction.org/2016townhall.
November 1, 2016
Pinnacle Foods Workers Ratify New Contract
On Oct. 15, members of UFCW Local 617 ratified a new five-year agreement with Pinnacle Foods in Fort Madison, Iowa. UFCW Local 617 represents over 400 hourly employees at the Pinnacle Foods Fort Madison Armour Star facility.
The new contract provides significant wage increases for all employees over the life of the contract, including a much faster progression for new hires. The contract also protects pensions for current and future employees, and continues to provide quality, affordable healthcare with no increase in deductibles, copays or out of pocket maximums for the life of the agreement. Other improvements include increased medical leave, and faster 401(k) eligibility with auto enrollment and company match.
The contract continues the high performance, team-based work environment structure that has created a highly skilled and flexible workforce. In addition to a strong base pay, workers have the opportunity to continue gaining more skills and even higher pay.
“Our members are very skilled and talented,” said Robert Cale, vice president of political education at UFCW Local 617. “We have taken on a lot of responsibility within the plant. We are very proud of what we do and the skills we demonstrate to make our facility successful. Our members are also very passionate about our union.”
“We all know the role our union plays in making our facility successful and profitable,” Cale added. “While negotiating our contract with Pinnacle Foods, we were committed to protecting and improving the high quality jobs at the facility. That means good wages, affordable high quality healthcare, and retirement security in the form of a defined benefit pension and 401(k). Without the strong union membership we have, none of this would be possible.”
November 1, 2016
Schnucks Workers Ratify New Contract
Members of UFCW Local 655 who work at Schnucks in St. Louis ratified a new contract on Oct. 26.
The three-year contract includes wage increases, eligibility to earn up to five weeks of vacation and includes a two week advance notice of work schedules. The new contract also maintains health insurance and pension benefits.
“I’m very grateful we have a new contract. I’m a pharmacy technician at Schnucks, but I was also a member of the bargaining committee, and that was an eye-opening experience,” said Rebecca Garrett. “I have a whole new respect for the process of bargaining a contract. I’m happy we were able to maintain health benefits and I’m especially happy that for the first time this contract has specific language and recognition for pharmacy technicians because we have a very important role in people’s lives. This contract took months of very hard work, and without a union like mine, there wouldn’t be an opportunity to have input at all. This is why I’m a strong supporter of UFCW Local 655. They give us a real voice at work.”
“While this contract does not have everything we wanted, it does represent significant improvements over the last proposal,” said UFCW Local 655 President David Cook. “Our members deserve to be recognized for their sacrifices with a fair contract. The significant concessions from Schnucks shows they understood that and came back to the table with a much better contract.”
November 1, 2016
Workers at Hale & Hearty Join Local 1500
On Oct. 20, 56 workers at the Hale & Hearty commissary in Brooklyn, N.Y., banded together for a better life by joining UFCW Local 1500. Hale & Hearty is New York-based counter-serve chain that well known for its soups.
Donald Torres, who has worked at the Hale & Hearty factory for two years said, “We all just felt that we deserved better. We want to have a voice and to build a better life working here.”
Tony Speelman, president UFCW Local 1500, said “I want to congratulate the hard-working men and women at Hale & Hearty for joining us at Local 1500. Our entire union is proud of them and admires their courage. We look forward to building a relationship with Hale & Hearty, and working together to find ways to benefit workers and the company together.”
“By working together we will improve their lives and make Hale & Hearty into a better and more successful company. This cannot be done alone, it will be a joint labor-management effort and we look forward to beginning that relationship,” Speelman concluded.
October 27, 2016
Jim Beam Workers Ratify New Contract
This month, after standing together to improve working conditions, Jim Beam workers in Clermont and Boston, Ky., ratified a new contract by a vote of 204 to 19. The workers are members of UFCW Local 111D.
UFCW Local 111D President Janelle Mudd released the following statement regarding the new two-year contract:
“Today’s vote is the culmination of the efforts of many to reach a compromise that will, ultimately, benefit everyone. After months of negotiation and feeling like the voice of UFCW 111D was not being heard, we had hoped that we would not have to go on strike to reach an agreement with Beam Suntory management. In the end, we made a strong statement and we were heard.
“The final proposal includes many of the key elements that we felt so strongly about, such as equal pay for equal work, a cap on temporary employees and the hiring of more full-time employees. We appreciate management’s diligence to reach an agreement with the union. They met with employees from a cross section of departments from both the Clermont and Boston plants, and representatives talked to employees on the picket line to clarify the areas of greatest need.
“We would also like to thank all the organizations, businesses and individuals who supported us with donations of money, supplies, food and beverages; those who honked, waved and stopped to give words of encouragement; those who picketed with us; and those who refused to cross the picket line.”
October 24, 2016
Local Labor and Community Leaders Stop Bob’s Tire Co. and BJ’s Temp Service from Intimidating Workers who Voted to Join Union Family
Washington, D.C. –Workers pushing for a first union contract at Bob’s Tire Co. and BJ’s Temp Service in New Bedford, Massachusetts, are set to return to the bargaining table on Tuesday after successfully stopping their employers from using government agencies to retaliate against them for voting to join a union.
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union, UFCW Local 328, and the National Guestworker Alliance (NGA) supported the workers in resisting the companies’ attempt to intimidate workers through the threat of deportation.
“The hard-working men and women of Bob’s Tire Co. and BJ’s Temp Service voted to join our union family for a better life, and it is irresponsible and wrong for any company to use threats and intimidation, or attempt to manipulate our government agencies to try and stop them,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone. “By standing together with our community partners, we have shown our commitment to providing the better life these hard-working employees have rightfully earned. We look forward to negotiating a good contract for these workers, and expect Bob’s Tire Co. and BJ’s Temp Service to respect the values of our community and their customers.”
“At a time when companies are increasingly using temp agencies like BJ’s as a way to source exploitable workers, this victory matters for every worker in the United States,” said Saket Soni, Executive Director of the NGA. “ICE did the right thing and refused to let the companies use it as a weapon against organizing. That’s a victory for immigrant workers who stand up to expose abuse and improve their workplaces—and for the tens of millions of U.S.-born workers who labor alongside them. All workers deserve protection from threats of deportation when they come forward to report abuse.”
BACKGROUND
In September of 2015, workers who are jointly employed by Bob’s Tire and BJ’s Temp Service voted overwhelmingly to join UFCW Local 328. Shortly after this happened, the employers began retaliating against the workers’ decision to unionize with intimidation, including threats of immigration enforcement.
On October 21, 2016, recognizing that workers at Bob’s Tire and BJ’s Temp Service were involved in a significant labor dispute, the government refused to be a weapon wielded against hard-working taxpayers trying to make a better life for themselves. The agency involved made clear its policy was to not interfere with labor disputes and they would not be used by the company to retaliate against their workers.
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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org.
The National Guestworker Alliance (NGA) is a national organization of low-wage and contingent workers across the United States. Founded ten years ago by workers in the U.S. Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, NGA represents contingent workers across many industries, including construction, service, hospitality, food manufacturing, and logistics.
Learn more about the NGA at www.guestworkeralliance.org.
Trabajadores locales y líderes de la comunidad evitan que Bob’s Tire Co. y BJ’s Temp Service intimiden a los trabajadores que votaron para unirse a la familia de la Unión
Washington, D.C. –Los trabajadores que presionan para tener el primer contrato de la unión en Bob’s Tire Co. y BJ’s Temp Service en New Bedford, Massachusetts, van a volver a la mesa de negociaciones el martes tras haber logrado detener a sus empleadores para que utilizaran agencias gubernamentales para aplicar represalias en su contra por votar a favor de afiliarse a una unión.
La Unión Internacional de Trabajadores de la Industria de Alimentos y del Comercio (UFCW), la Local 328 de la UFCW, y la National Guestworker Alliance (NGA) apoyaron a los trabajadores para detener el intento de las compañías de intimidar a los trabajadores por medio de la amenaza de la deportación.
“Los hombres y mujeres que trabajan arduamente en Bob’s Tire Co. y BJ’s Temp Service votaron para unirse a nuestra familia de la unión para tener una vida mejor, y es irresponsable e inadecuado que cualquier empresa utilice amenazas e intimidación, o intente manipular nuestras agencias gubernamentales, para tratar de detenerlos”, dijo Marc Perrone, Presidente Internacional de la UFCW. “Al permanecer juntos con nuestros colaboradores de la comunidad, hemos demostrado nuestro compromiso de ofrecer una mejor vida a estos empleados quienes trabajan de manera ardua y se la han ganado legítimamente. Esperamos negociar un buen contrato para estos trabajadores y esperamos que Bob’s Tire Co. y BJ’s Temp Service respeten los valores de nuestra comunidad y de sus clientes”.
“En un momento en que las empresas están utilizando cada vez más las agencias temporarias como BJ’s como una forma de contratar a trabajadores a quienes pueden explotar, esta victoria es importante para cada trabajador de los Estados Unidos”, dijo Saket Soni, Director Ejecutivo de la NGA. “ICE hizo lo correcto y se negó a permitir que las empresas lo utilizaran como un arma contra la organización. Es una victoria para los trabajadores inmigrantes que se levantan para exponer los abusos y mejorar sus lugares de trabajo, y para las decenas de millones de trabajadores nacidos en EE.UU. que están junto a ellos. Todos los trabajadores merecen protección frente a las amenazas de deportación cuando denuncian los abusos”.
CONTEXTO
En septiembre de 2015, los trabajadores que están contratados conjuntamente por Bob’s Tire y BJ’s Temp Service votaron abrumadoramente a favor de unirse a la Local 328 de la UFCW. Poco después de que esto sucedió, los empleadores comenzaron a tomar represalias contra la decisión de los trabajadores de afiliarse a la unión con intimidaciones, incluyendo amenazas de aplicación de las leyes de inmigración.
El 21 de octubre, reconociendo que los trabajadores de Bob’s Tire y BJ’s Temp Service estaban involucrados en un conflicto laboral significativo, el gobierno se negó a ser un arma utilizada contra los contribuyentes que trabajan duro para intentar tener una vida mejor para sí mismos. La agencia involucrada dejó claro que su política era no involucrarse en las disputas laborales y que no serían utilizados por la compañía para tomar represalias en contra de sus trabajadores.
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La UFCW es la unión más grande del sector privado en los Estados Unidos, y representa a 1.3 millones de profesionales y sus familias en tiendas de comestibles, empaquetado de carnes, procesamiento de alimentos, tiendas minoristas y otras industrias. Nuestros miembros ayudan a poner la comida sobre la mesa de nuestro país y atienden a clientes en todos los 50 estados, Canadá y Puerto Rico.
Obtenga más información acerca de la UFCW en www.ufcw.org.
La National Guestworker Alliance (NGA) es una organización nacional de trabajadores contingentes que ganan salarios bajos en los Estados Unidos. Fundada hace diez años por trabajadores en la Costa del Golfo de EE.UU. después del Huracán Katrina, la NGA representa a trabajadores contingentes en muchas industrias, incluyendo la construcción, servicios, hospitalidad, fabricación de alimentos y logística.
Obtenga más información acerca de la NGA en www.guestworkeralliance.org.
October 20, 2016
Giant Eagle Catering Workers Join Local 23
Earlier this month, the hard-working employees in the catering department at the Settler’s Ridge Giant Eagle Market District store in Pittsburgh voted to join UFCW Local 23.
The Giant Eagle workers were concerned about respect and fairness on the job, and wanted to join the hundreds of coworkers in the same store who are members of UFCW Local 23 who are striving for a better life.
“We know that there are many nonunion Giant Eagle workers that would love to be part of the UFCW, but due to fear and bully tactics by Giant Eagle, it takes strong workers to stand up to such an anti-union company,” said UFCW Local 23 President Anthony Helfer. “Our stewards were key in helping to organize these workers and we look forward to more activities at Giant Eagle, even in the face of this anti-union company.”
October 17, 2016
Economic Change Is Reshaping America’s Workforce, New Report Finds
A rapidly changing, knowledge-based economy is influencing the way U.S. workers are looking at training and job security, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center.
The report, titled The State of American Jobs, shows that occupations requiring skills and education has increased by 68 percent since 1980. American workers are well aware of shifting economic trends, and believe they will need continuous training to keep pace with a rise in jobs requiring social and analytical skills. According to the report, about 63 percent of Americans believe they have less job security than they did decades ago due to several factors, including an increased outsourcing of jobs and imports of foreign products; an increased use of temporary or contract workers; and the decline of union membership.
The report was conducted in association with the Markle Foundation, and was based on a national survey conducted among 5,006 U.S. adults between May 25 and June 29, 2016. A full copy of the report can be found here.
October 14, 2016
MCAW Responds to Walmart Store Closings in Texas and Missouri
Last week, Making Change at Walmart (MCAW) responded to Walmart’s announcement that it is closing three stores in three different cities (Lamesa, Texas; Brownfield, Texas; and Columbia, Mo.) with very little notice.
“This callous move by Walmart will leave hundreds of workers without jobs and hundreds of families without paychecks,” said Jess Levin, communications director of MCAW. “Walmart has said that people are the most important part of their business. However, this recent news proves that, for Walmart, nothing is more important than profits: not workers, not customers, not anyone. These closings, much like the 269 store closings earlier this year, will not only impact Walmart workers, they will affect these entire communities. ”
In early 2016, Walmart announced that it was closing 154 U.S. stores, which, according to The Washington Post, disproportionately affected lower-income, rural areas.