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News and Updates
January 28, 2019
A Better Contract for UFCW 770 Overhill Farms Members
On Jan. 20, members of UFCW Local 770 who work at Overhill Farms in Vernon, California, ratified a new contract that raises wages and improves benefits. This ratification comes after 18 months of contract negotiations, three strike votes, and various actions demanding respect, dignity, and a voice on the job.
Effective from September 2018 to September 2021, the new contract benefits around 400 employees in the bargaining unit. It includes wage increases of up to $2.00 per hour during the contract term, according to seniority (a base salary greater than the minimum wage will rule). The employees will also receive retroactive back pay to Sept. 1, 2018, and a sizeable bonus paid within 30 days of ratification.
Regarding health insurance, the company will establish a fund to reimburse deductibles to employees who are currently enrolled in the company’s health care plan – up to $900 per year for employees with single coverage and up to $1,200 per year for employees with dependent coverage. Grandfathered employees (including covered family members) will receive reimbursements of some copays (up to a total of $50,000). The contract also guarantees no annual increase to weekly medical premiums for the life of the contract.
UFCW 770 members won a guarantee that the company cannot unilaterally change the health care plan, as it had done in the past. Overhill Farms committed to paying up to a 12 percent increase per year and maintaining the same health benefits. If the increase exceeds that amount, then the union can offer another, more cost-effective plan, which the company must accept or pay the entire increase itself.
During contract negotiations, the bargaining committee and rank-and-file members stood strong fighting for better living wages, affordable health benefits, seniority protections, a safe workplace, and dignity and respect. Community, labor, and faith leaders joined the workers in solidarity at all the mobilizations in front of the company’s main plant.
Overhill Farms employees are mostly immigrant workers who produce frozen food items such as plated meals, soups, pastas, sauces and other specialties. Overhill Farms is owned by CPF, a Thailand based conglomerate.
January 22, 2019
Meatpacking Workers in Detroit Join Local 876
Meatpacking workers at the Wolverine Packing Co. in Detroit joined UFCW Local 876 on Dec. 28. The approximately 85 workers were concerned about the company’s unfair promotion process, pay issues, little advancement for female workers, as well as verbal harassment by management and favoritism.
Wolverine Packing Co. is a family-owned business that produces a range of portioned and processed meats including ground beef and steaks.
January 22, 2019
New York Chemical Workers Stand Together for a Better Life
PeroxyChem workers in Saratoga Springs, New York, voted unanimously to join the ICWUC on Dec. 13. The workers joined the ICWUC because they were concerned about medical insurance, safety, wages and lack of respect from managers. PeroxyChem is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, persulfates and adjacent technologies.
Representative Andy Kokiko and Organizer Lance Heasley were instrumental during this process by speaking with the workers, as well as petitioning for and organizing the workers. The ICWUC looks forward to working with our new members at PeroxyChem to achieve their first contract.
January 22, 2019
Perrone: Shutdown Threatens America’s Retail Workers and Nation’s Economy
UFCW International President Marc Perrone called attention to the government shutdown’s impact on America’s 16 million retail workers and the broader economy in a statement issued on Jan. 18.
Perrone’s statement reads as follows:
“Every day the government shutdown drags on, 800,000 federal workers continue to be locked out of their job or forced to work without pay. But this wasteful shutdown is also threatening the 16 million American workers who help power our country’s $2.6 trillion retail sector and the broader economy.
“When Republicans shut down the government in 2013, retail sales from furloughed workers dropped seven percent and the economy lost $2 billion in productivity. About one in 10 Americans are employed in the retail industry and the longer the current shutdown continues, the harder hit these workers and our economy will be.
“It’s high time for President Trump and Congress to stop playing politics with our economy and American workers and finally end this reckless government shutdown.”
January 15, 2019
A Better Contract for CRS Facility Services Workers
UFCW Local 152 members who are employed by CRS Facility Services and work at the Philadelphia Mills Mall ratified a new contract on Jan. 4 that raises wages and improves benefits. The CRS Facility Services workers provide janitorial and groundskeeping services for the mall, which is located in northeast Philadelphia and has over 200 stores.
The new three-year contract includes wage increases for each year of the agreement, and enhanced bereavement leave. The agreement also includes the addition of pants to the uniform allotment provided by the employer, and seniority rights for job protection in case of sickness.
January 4, 2019
Perrone: “Bipartisan Farm Bill Is a Victory for Hard-Working Families”
On Dec. 12, UFCW International President Marc Perrone issued a statement in support of the U.S. House of Representatives passing the 2018 Farm Bill conference report.
Perrone’s statement reads as follows:
“Today’s passage of the bipartisan farm bill is a victory for hard-working families. Earlier versions were deeply partisan and proposed substantial cuts to SNAP, a vital program that not only helps millions in need put food on the table every day but creates sustainable jobs in food processing plants, distribution centers, and grocery stores across the country.
“Thanks to the leadership of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, Congress has rightly rejected the cuts that would have threatened our economy and good jobs across America.
“As the voice of workers who help put food on America’s tables, we are proud to be a partner in this legislation that puts people first by protecting access to food for families in need and making the strong investments in our workers and communities that we deserve.”
January 4, 2019
A Better Contract for Local 663 Grocery Workers in Minnesota
Members of UFCW Local 663 who work at grocery stores in the Brainerd Lakes area in Minnesota ratified a new contract on Dec. 6 that builds better lives for more than 400 families. The three-year contract covers UFCW Local 663 members who work at Quisberg’s Cub Foods in Baxter and Brainerd, Super One in Baxter, and at Miner’s Super One in Crosby.
The new contract includes a Variable Annuity Pension Plan (VAPP), which is a defined benefit pension design where the accumulated benefit accrual is adjusted up or down each year based on an investment hurdle rate of 5.5 percent. Members will transition benefit accruals from the current defined benefit plan to the VAPP beginning in January 2019. A VAPP is attractive to workers because it reduces investment risk and offers an upside in terms of benefit improvements. Employers like VAPP because the design limits their liability.
“Securing the pension was a priority for me because it secures the future for everybody in this industry. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Mike Insley, who is a member of UFCW Local 663 and is employed as a grocery manager at Cub Foods in Brainerd. Insley has been in the industry for 35 years.
The new contract also improves wage scales for all members and includes increased wages for full- and part-time positions for top of scale and over scale each year of the contract.
“It’s important to me that we fought for and won higher wages, as my family and I depend on it,” said Sandra Livingston, who is a member of UFCW Local 663 and is employed as a cashier at Super One in Baxter.
Under the agreement, all eligible workers will enjoy a secured employer commitment to pay the increased true cost of the health and welfare plan, as well as improved treatment and new and improved language to protect workers in the workplace. The new and improved language includes respect and dignity in the workplace; victim, witness, and domestic abuse leave; and two-week schedules that give members more established expectations and opportunities to better plan out their lives.
“Our members lead the way to better benefits for their families and a higher quality of life for all,” said UFCW Local 663 President Matt Utecht. “A rising tide lifts all boats. We’re proud to work side by side with our Brainerd Lakes retail grocery members and elevate the industry while doing so.”
October 23, 2018
OUTreach Offers Creating Change Conference Scholarships
UFCW OUTreach is offering five scholarships for members to attend next year’s Creating Change Conference in Detroit. The conference, which will take place on Jan. 23 to 27, 2019, is organized by the national LGBTQ Task Force. It is the foremost political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBTQ+ social justice movement, and scholarship recipients will learn from a broad range of social justice issues and develop skills to bring back to their workplaces and local unions. Past session topics have included labor, gender equality, community organizing, criminal justice, immigration and more.
UFCW OUTreach Executive Board members have served as a key voice for working class and labor issues at this conference over the past few years. In a time where the labor movement and everything we have fought for is under attack, UFCW OUTreach’s dedication to organizing social and economic justice for all workers and ensuring full equality for LGBTQ+ workers at work and in their union reflects our union’s commitment to building a resilient working class that is not divided by hate.
The submission deadline for the five scholarships is Wednesday, Nov. 7. You can get more information about UFCW OUTreach scholarships to this important conference here.
October 15, 2018
UFCW Local 1245 Member Embraces Hispanic Heritage Month by Getting Involved
Esau Valencia has been a UFCW Local 1245 shop steward at Kings Supermarket for 20 years. Over that time, he’s become increasingly involved in efforts to get out the vote, and this year is no exception. He’s one of the many shining examples of hardworking UFCW members honoring Hispanic Heritage Month by getting involved in their communities.
Over the last few weeks, Esau has been helping fellow members get registered to vote at his store and has volunteered his time going door to door as well. He says that “Although Hispanics are generally more politically involved in other countries, we as a people are active in the U.S., but more can still be done. It takes all of us to make change – to receive the better wages and respect we’ve earned.”
Esau believes it’s his duty, and hopes others in his community do too, to take part in the GOTV effort because as someone who is bilingual, he has the ability to reach and communicate with many people. He thinks it’s especially important for young Latinos to know about and be engaged in these “critical moments,” and recently registered a young member who will be voting for the first time this November.
“Although Hispanics are generally more politically involved in other countries, we as a people are active in the U.S., but more can still be done. It takes all of us to make change – to receive the better wages and respect we’ve earned.”
For Esau, immigration and family separation are two of the most important issues that are affecting his community this year. Additionally, health care reform and keeping Obamacare intact are top priorities. Being a union member has enabled him to take action when it comes to fighting for what matters to hard-working people:
“It’s helped me a lot,” he said. “I’ve been employed at a place where there were no stewards, but now, in my UFCW workplace, I’m able to be more engaged—I’ve been to UFCW Conventions and shared my message. It’s important for us as minorities to get involved.”