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Welcome To UFCW Local 5
Local 5 and
Community Allies Set Home Loan Modification Workshop
On Saturday
February 6 Local 5 and its community allies will hold a
loan modification workshop for members facing mortgage
difficulties.
Please
click here for more information about the event. If
you have any concerns regarding you mortgage you should
not miss this meeting.
Is
Massachusetts or Oregon
the Guide to the Future?
Millions of
Gallons of ink for print and billions of pixels on the
internet have been spilled trying to explain how a
former Playgirl model got elected Senator from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Most prognosticators
predict this is the beginning of the end for the Obama
Administration and its goals and the progressive agenda
in general.
However, if
one takes a deep breath and looks at the results of a
recent election in Oregon it is possible to come to a
completely different conclusion.
The
electorate in Oregon, like voters in Massachusetts, were
not in a mood to be messed with. On January 26 they
voted to uphold the state's authority to tax the wealthy
and corporations at higher rates.
Last year the
state legislature, like every family, business and
county and city government found themselves in a tight
financial position. Instead of participating in massive
reductions in services and pay and benefit reductions,
like in California, they chose to make the rich and
corporations pay their fair share. Business and the rich
didn't like this and got enough signatures to put the
question on the ballot.
On January 26
the people spoke. They registered their consternation,
but unlike their counterparts in Massachusetts, there
was no confusion where they were coming from. They voted
to retain their quality of life by making sure that
those who have benefitted he most share with everyone
else.
Click here to see a good editorial on the
Massachusetts election from the AFL-CIO.
Perez Named
Speaker:
Major Victory for Working People
John Perez, a
UFCW veteran and freshman legislator, has been named
Speaker of the Assembly.
Perez's ascension to one of the most powerful positions
in state government is a a huge achievement for UFCW
members and other working people across the state.
Perez guided an anti-Wal Mart big box measure through
the legislature when he was lobbyist for the UFCW. The
legislation was vetoed by Gray Davis, but the fact that
it made it to the Governor's desk at all is a good
example of the new Speaker's political abilities.
Congratulations Speaker Perez, California's working
people are counting on you!
Senate Reportedly Drops
Public Option
Press reports
on December 9 state that the US Senate has dropped
pursuit of the public option portion of the health care
reform bill. The so-called public option would have set
up a system where individuals could have purchased
benefits available to government employees and
politicians. The public option should not be confused
with mandated coverage, a feature of both the Senate and
House versions, which requires all citizens to carry
health insurance. Many analysts believe the public
option would have kept private insurers honest by giving
the public an alternative to their coverage.
House of
Representatives Passes
Health Care Reform Bill; Tough
Sledding Ahead in Senate
In a historic
vote the US House of Representatives passed a major
overhaul of the health care system. The bill includes
provisions for states to allow a public option for
health insurance, a move that many believe will force
insurance companies to worry more about health care
delivery and less about profits. The bill faces tough
going in the Senate where several of its enemies
described it as "dead on arrival."
Speaker Nancy
Pelosi (D-SF), shown at this year's SF Labor Council
breakfast, shepherded the historic health care bill
through the House of Representatives.
In the weeks
and months to come Local 5 members will be asked to step
forward and assist in the fight for real reform. The
only way to preserve UFCW benefits is to make sure that
any legislation that passes forces free-loaders like Wal
Mart to pay their fair share. Take a look at the
political blog for more information.
Open
Enrollment Period
at the Trust Fund
October 1-31
It’s time for Open Enrollment at the UFCW Trust
Fund again. Most members are covered by benefits and
MUST complete the process of Open Enrollment. It’s
also the time to make any changes if you are
eligible to do so, by October 31. This year’s
process should be easier as it will be accomplished
either over the phone by calling (866) 827- 2116
Mon. – Friday 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM PST or going
online (www.ufcwtrust.com)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Failure to complete the enrollment process will
result in the denial of claims payments until you
complete the enrollment process , so don’t delay!
If you have not received your Open Enrollment
packet with your special Benefit Enrollment login
information and summary of benefits, please call the
Trust Fund at (800) 552-2400.
Local 5
Joins the Battle
for Health Care Reform
Local 5 members
at Congressman Honda's meeting in Los Gatos.
UFCW Local 5
members have joined the battle for health care reform.
The weekend of September 12 town hall meetings were held
in Congressman Mike Honda and Pete Stark's districts and
Local 5 members were there in force.
Local 5 members
at Congressman Stark's meeting in Fremont.
The
connection between member health coverage and health
care reform has never been more clear. As long Wal Mart,
Trader Joes, Whole Foods and employers of their ilk
continue to offer no or minimal coverage UFCW benefits
will continue to be under attack.
A big thank
you goes out to members who attended town hall meetings.
For more information on how to help contact Tony
Alexander or Kelly Martinez in the union's political
department.
Union Plus
Launches New
Program to Assist
Members in Need
Union Plus,
an organization established by the international union,
has started a new program to help members facing
financial issues. Members with mortgage and other fiscal
problems should go to the should
click here to go to the Union Plus/UnionSAFE website.
This service
is not available to the general public. Local 5 members
are eligible due solely to their union membership.
Archived Latest Union News
"Management is
right.....in miraculously few cases."
Ed
Asner, Actor and President of the Screen Actors Guild
(SAG) 1982
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UFCW Local 5
Events
Trust Fund Health Care
Reimbursement
Questionnaire (HRQ)
Begins February 1
SPUR Trainings Announced
Home Loan
Modification Workshop
February 6, 2010
Martinez Office
Is Massachusetts or Oregon
the Guide to the Future?
Campaign for Justice in the
Mercado Industry Launched
Local 5 Nights at ATT Park
with the SF Giants
June 25 vs. Boston Red
Sox
July 30 vs. LA Dodgers
Union Plus Announces
Package of Benefits to
Assist Members:
UnionSAFE
Union Plus Scholarships
Available, Click Here
Ongoing
Picketline and
boycott support*
Political
Activities*
Shop Steward Training
*These activities are applicable to the dues refund
and new members initiation fee reduction programs
Headquarters
240 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-998-0428
877-655-FIVE
Fax 408-971-8355
E-mail Address:
info@ufcw5.org
Alameda
County
28870 Mission Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94544
510-889-0870
Fax: 510-889-6415
California And Arizona
Agricultural Division
Salinas Office
1145 North Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906
831-758-1066
800-678-4829
Fax: 831-422-7997
Delano
Office
1122 Dover Place
Delano, CA 93215
888-889-9102
Fax: 661-721-7693
Contra
Costa County
4121 Alhambra Avenue
Martinez, CA 94553
925-228-8800
Fax: 925-228-8355
Tri-County Area
(Monterey,
Santa Cruz,
San Benito Counties)
1145 North Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906
Toll Free: 800-839-8329
Salinas: 831-757-3094
Monterey: 831-375-9592
Fax: 831-757-9115
Napa, Solano
Counties
410 Nebraska Street
mailing address: PO Box 4324
Vallejo, CA 94590
Vallejo: 707-643-8611
Napa: 707-255-8533
Fairfield/Vacaville:
707-422-5747
Fax: 707-553-1289
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