February 12, 2014

Lanette Edwards of Local 1625 Teaches Boy Scouts About the Labor Movement

Lanette Edwards, of UFCW Local 1625 in Lakeland, Fla., is teaching the Boy Scouts what the labor movement is all about.  Last year, Lanette held a class with over 30 Boy Scouts, where she talked about American Labor merit badge.  The American Labor merit badge was introduced in 1986 to the Boy Scouts of America; however, over the past several years, this merit badge has been earned less frequently by scouts.  Lanette has made every effort to help the Boy Scouts in her community learn about the American labor movement and revitalize this merit badge within Local 1625 and her local Boy Scout Council.

Lanette taught the Boy Scouts about the history of the labor movement, as well as the organizational structure of the UFCW and AFL-CIO and opportunities in the field of labor relations. The National Boy Scouts of America Community Services Committee, in recognition of Lanette’s significant contribution to the Boy Scouts of America, was awarded the AFL-CIO’s Wood Badge scholarship which will assist selected union members in acquiring skills that will better equip them to serve the youths in their communities.

Lanette was awarded the George Meany Award by the Boy Scouts of America and West Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, for her work in teaching youths about the American labor movement.

January 30, 2014

Members Can Share Their Stories, Commemorate Black History Month

The UFCW is proud to continue its yearly tradition of commemorating Black History Month each February. UFCW members have been at the forefront of a movement fighting for civil rights and equality, and justice for workers everywhere.

To continue that tradition, the UFCW is collecting stories from members and local unions that illustrate Black History Month by celebrating vicotries and heros of the fight for equality.

Submissions can include stories about UFCW members, staff members, politicians or civil rights leaders who deserve to be honored during Black History Month. Any stories about local unions, past or present, that showcase the fight for equality and the power of a union are welcomed as well.

Members and local union staff can send their stories, photos, suggestions or thoughts to submissions@ufcw.org to possibly be featured on the UFCW website, or can submit them to our ‘share your story‘ form.

January 28, 2014

Labor Movement Mourns Loss of Activist Folk Singer Pete Seeger

Today we are saddened to hear the news of the passing of folk singer and songwriter Pete Seeger, who was an activist with a profound impact on the labor movement.

Over the last few decades, Mr. Seeger took part in hundreds of rallys in support of various labor unions and the civil rights movement, often entertaining them with his music as well.

Mr. Seeger’s involvement with unions dates back to the time in the 1940’s when he worked with the Congress of Industrial Organizations. Aside from his participation in rallys to support labor, he has also teamed up with the likes of Woody Guthrie to record songs like “The Talking Union Blues”, which were often performed during strikes and other union events.

Through his music, Mr. Seeger believed he could bring people together to create change and solve issues. In the past, he was quoted as saying, “We have problems that still need to be solved today, like corporations running the country.” Many today believe that his songs did just that–unite people under a common cause that might not have joined together otherwise. He had a gift that was able to speak to rank and file union members, no matter what issue they were currently dealing with.

Pete Seeger will surely be missed by all those continuing to work for workers rights, but his music will always be here to remind us that when we stand together, we are strong.

Click here for more info.

 

 

January 23, 2014

Appy Now for the Union Plus Scholarship!

The deadline to apply for a Union Plus scholarship is quickly approaching. There are nine days left for union members and their families to submit their applications for a Union Plus scholarship, ranging from $500 to $4,000.

Applications, including essays and a reference letter, must be submitted by Friday, January 31 at 12pm EST.

Union Plus provides $150,000 in scholarships annually to retired or active members who belong to a union participating in any of the Union Plus programs. Spouses and dependent children (as defined by the IRS) are also eligible. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, or to learn more about the Union Plus Scholarship, please visit: UnionPlus.org/Scholarship

January 22, 2014

UFCW Launches GOLD Internship

January 15, 2014

UFCW Donations Help Rebuilding Projects Progress in Haiti

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, causing catastrophic damage in and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Since that time, UFCW local unions from around the country have remained committed to helping the people of Haiti rebuild their communities.

The UFCW collected and distributed more than $450,000 to bring food, water and technology to Haitian children and their families by partnering with several local foundations to provide earthquake relief.

Generous donations from UFCW local unions to Hope for Haiti helped rebuild the computer lab and library at the St. Francois de Sales School. Donations helped purchase 34 computers outfitted with Microsoft Office software, along with tables, chairs, book shelves, and lockers for the library and computer lab. The school will provide education to more than 1,320 students in the kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels.

UFCW International Vice President Al Vincent and UFCW Local 888 President Max Bruny represented the UFCW International and local unions when they led a delegation to Haiti for the dedication ceremony of the computer lab and library at the St. Francois de Sales School that UFCW donations funded.

“The children were so excited to have the new library and computer lab,” Bruny said. “Many children in Haiti aren’t able to attend school because of poverty and lack of access so these kids feel so proud and blessed. The generosity from the UFCW locals definitely improved the lives of these children and their community.”

Donations from UFCW unions have also gone to other foundations including Reviving Haiti, which funds clean water access to Haitian families, High Hopes for Haiti, which supports a project to build computer labs and a library at John Stine College in St. Marc, and God to Haiti, which provides hot meals for children and families.

A great deal of work remains to be done in Haiti—a country of origin for many UFCW members—and the UFCW remains committed to helping our Haitian brothers and sisters recover from this tragedy.

More information and updates on Hope for Haiti and the St. Francois de Sales School can be found at www.hopeforhaiti.com.

January 7, 2014

Anthony Brown and Ken Ulman endorsed by UFCW Locals 400, 27 and 1994

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Today, United Food and Commercial Workers’ Local 400, Local 27, and Local 1994 endorsed Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and County Executive Ken Ulman in their race for Governor and Lt. Governor of Maryland. The organizations, which together represent thousands of Maryland workers, backed Brown due to his leadership in the fight to raise Maryland’s minimum wage, as well as his work maintaining record funding for Maryland schools and strong support for middle class families.

“The workers of UFCW represent the best of what Maryland has to offer, and when UFCW is strong, Maryland’s middle class is strong,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “We’ve made great progress over the past seven years as we’ve built the most highly skilled and talented workforce in the country and maintained record education funding. But there is much more to be done, and Ken Ulman and I are eager to partner with UFCW in office to continue strengthening Maryland’s middle class families — an effort that starts now by raising our minimum wage.”

“UFCW has been a force in advancing social and economic justice for all Marylanders, and Anthony and I are energized by their support,” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “Now we’re ready to get to work to raise our minimum wage, expand access to a high-quality Pre-K education to all Maryland children, and foster a strong business climate for job growth. I know that UFCW will be right alongside us as we achieve results for middle class families.”

“Anthony Brown is a proven leader for Maryland’s working families, and UFCW Local 400 is ready to go to elect him and Ken Ulman,” said Mark Federici, President of United Food and Commercial Workers’ Local 400. “Anthony is leading the charge to increase Maryland’s minimum wage and he’s stood up for vital collective bargaining rights for Maryland workers. He’s been a friend to us for nearly 15 years, and we know that we can count on him to continue strengthening Maryland’s middle class as Governor.”

“Throughout his tenure as Lt. Governor and state Delegate, Anthony Brown has made sticking up for Maryland’s middle class his top priority, which is why UFCW Local 27 is now sticking up for him,” said George Murphy Jr., President of United Food and Commercial Workers’ Local 27. “We know that, as Governor, Anthony will get results for working families. We’ll be right alongside him helping to make his priorities of raising the minimum wage, creating universal, voluntary, and high-quality Pre-K, and creating jobs a reality.”

“UFCW Local 1994 is proud to be endorsing Anthony Brown because he’s the best choice to advocate for our members all over the state,” said Gino Renne, President of United Food and Commercial Workers’ Local 1994. “As Governor, he’ll work to create a strong climate for job growth — and he has a lengthy record of fighting to expand access to healthcare and educational opportunity. Our 9,000 members will be mobilizing to deliver Maryland for Anthony and Ken Ulman in this election.”

Together, UFCW Locals 400, 27, and 1994 MCGEO represent thousands of workers in Maryland. Their members work in the retail food, retail, health care, law enforcement, food processing, service, and other industries, and will add to the Brown-Ulman team’s strong grassroots support as they work to elect Anthony Brown and Ken Ulman.

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December 17, 2013

Funds Raised for Hope for Haiti Project Helps Build New Computer Lab and Library

UFCW local unions from around the country donated funds to help the Haitian people to get back on their feet and rebuild their country after the devastating earthquake in 2010. The UFCW partnered with Hope for Haiti to rebuild the computer lab and library at St. Francois de Sales School in the neighborhood of Riviere Froide, commune of Carrefour, Port-au-Prince.

Thanks to the generous donations from UFCW local unions, the St. Francois de Sales School officially began on October 1st with the computer lab and library set to open on January 12th. Some of the materials purchased with the donations to help complete the computer lab and library include 34 computers outfitted with Microsoft Office software, along with tables, chairs, book shelves, and lockers. The school will provide education to more than 1,320 students in the kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels.

More information on the Hope for Haiti project and updates on construction progress can be found at
www.hopeforhaiti.com.

December 12, 2013

This Holiday Season, Buy Union-Made!

(List originally posted at AFL-CIO Now)

Going searching for that perfect holiday gift? Make sure it’s union made in America. Check below for gifts made by the UFCW and other union members in the U.S.

Apparel and Accessories

Brooks Brothers (UNITE HERE)

Joseph Abboud (UNITE HERE)

Majestic Athletic (UNITE HERE)

Timex watches (IAM)

Red Wing Shoes (UFCW)

Beauty Products

Avon (UFCW)

Caress skin care (UFCW)

ChapStick (USW)

Dove beauty products (UFCW)

Revlon (UAW)

Games

(All made by RWDSU/UFCW)

Barrel of Monkeys

Battleship

Candy Land

Chutes and Ladders

Clue

Connect 4

Game of Life

Hi Ho Cherry-O

Monopoly

Mouse Trap

Operation

Pictionary

Risk

Scrabble

Sorry

Taboo

Twister

Yahtzee

Sports Equipment

American Athletic (Russell) (UAW)

Louisville Slugger (UAW and IBT)

MacGregor Golf clubs (Boilermakers [IBB])

Standard Golf (IAM)

Top-Flite golf balls (IBB)

Stocking Stuffers

Rayovac batteries (Teamsters and UAW)

Bic Lighters (USW)

Ghirardelli chocolates (BCTGM)

Jelly Belly (BCTGM)

Laffy Taffy (BCTGM)

Tootsie Roll Pops (BCTGM)

Wine and Beer

(Wines brought to you by UFW.)

Chateau Ste. Michelle (IBT)

Columbia Crest

St. Supery

Charles Krug

C.K. Mondavi

Gallo of Sonoma

Miller Beer (UAW & IBT)

Miller High Life

Miller Genuine Draft

Miller Lite

Milwaukee’s Best

Icehouse

Red Dog

Anheuser-Busch (IBT & IAM)

Budweiser

Budweiser American Ale

Bud Light

Michelob

Shock Top

Busch

Rolling Rock

O’Doul’s

If You’re in the ‘Big Spender’ Category (UAW)

Jeep

Ford Mustangs

Cadillacs

See more cars made by UAW.

Editor’s note: This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all made in America, union-made products. Some places to find more info on those products include but are not limited to Labor 411, Union Plus, American Rights at Work and the BCTGM website.

November 29, 2013

Members of Congress Express Support for Walmart Workers on Black Friday

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Members of Congress today expressed support for Walmart workers who are calling for an end to illegal retaliation, and for Walmart to publicly commit to improving labor standards, such as providing workers with more full-time work and $25,000 ayear. Workers and their supporters are holding 1500 protests all over the nation today. Pointing to the $17 billion in annual profits and the $144.7 billionwealth of the Walton family, the Black Friday protestors say Walmart can and should do more to improve jobs, and in turn, the economy.

Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ed Markey (D-MA), along with Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Jim McDermott (D-WA) today issued the following statement:

“Across the country, there are countless Walmart workers who are paid poverty wages, cannot get enough hours, and have erratic work schedules that make it difficult to survive. Worse yet, as the National Labor Relations Board confirmed last week, Walmart has systematically and illegally retaliated against workers who have had the courage to stand up to improve working conditions.

“We stand with the courageous Walmart workers who are demanding better wages and an end to illegal retaliation. Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States, has a responsibility to their employees and our country to respect workers and their rights. No one should have to fear losing their jobs just for speaking up. 

“With as many as 825,000 Walmart workers making less than $25,000 a year and a single Walmart store costing taxpayers nearly $1 million in public assistance, the need for change is clear. Taxpayers should not have to pick up the tab because Walmart refuses to pay workers a living wage.  

“This holiday season we are proud to stand with the Walmart workers and their supporters who are protesting and calling on the company to do better.  It is time that Walmart pays its workers a fair wage and stops trampling on their rights.”

In recent weeks, members of Congress have demanded that Walmart make a commitment to providing better jobs. At a press conference last month, Representative Schakowsky, along with Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA), challenged Walmart to stop illegal retaliation and increase hours to ensure workers earn a minimum of $25,000 a year for full-time work.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: UFCW and OUR Walmart have the purpose of helping Wal-Mart employees as individuals or groups in their dealings with Wal-Mart over labor rights and standards and their efforts tohave Wal-Mart publically commit to adhering to labor rights and standards. UFCW and OUR Walmart have no intent to have Walmart recognize or bargain with UFCW or OUR Walmart as the representative of Walmart employees.