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.
Salinas
FoodsCo Members Raise
Over 5K at Relay for Life
UFCW 5 members employed by FoodsCo
in Salinas raised over $5000 for cancer research at a
recent Relay for Life.
An
enthusiastic team of UFCW 5 members from the Salinas
FoodsCo raised over $5000 to benefit cancer research.
The effort was spurred by the death of a co-worker to
the dreaded disease. Relay for Life participants solicit
sponsors and walk laps to raise funds to fight cancer. A
good time is had while confronting a serious enemy.
Local 5
members are making a difference raising funds for
various causes by partaking in actions like Relay for
Life and the UFCW Leukemia and Lymphoma Fund's
Light the Night Program. For information on Light
the Night contact Elise Blazek at eblazek@ufcw5.org.
2009 UFCW
Local 5 Scholarship
Recipients Announced
The results
of the 2009 UFCW Local 5 Scholarship Contest are in.
Twenty five lucky winners will receive checks for $1000
to further their academic pursuits.
Although this
contest is closed until next year, assistance for
members working on labor studies is available. Please
contact Mike Henneberry for more details. He can be
reached at
mhenneberry@ufcw5.org.
Ron Lind,
Tim Hamann
and Jack Landes Take Top Constitutional Offices at Local
5
Ron Lind, Tim
Hamann and Jack Landes were elected to the offices of
President, Secretary-Treasurer and Recorder,
respectively, when the period for nominations came to a
close on July 24.
President
Lind, discussing the beginning of a second term, quipped
"I am gratified by the confidence that the membership of
Local 5 has shown in me and the union. I along with all
of the staff, stewards and activists will work hard to
show that that confidence is well placed."
Tim Hamann
will continue to keep a sharp eye on the union's
finances and play a key role in setting strategy. Newly
elected Recorder Jack Landes will be charged with
assuring the accuracy of the Local's minutes for the
host of meetings that take place throughout the union's
jurisdiction. He will also continue his role as Contra
Costa Area Director.
UFCW Members
Authorize
Historic Agreement at
Smithfield in NC
Five thousand
UFCW members employed at Smithfield's huge pork
processing plant in Tar Heel North Carolina have
ratified their first contract. The pact comes after a
tortuous multi-year organizing drive where workers
fought off every roadblock thrown up by management to
destroy their solidarity. The new agreement includes
improved wages, benefits, a grievance procedure and in
this workplace, very importantly, a safety committee and
safety training.
Smithfield
worker Orlando Williams said "This contract will
completely transform our workplace, we will finally have
a sense of security on the job."
Labor Legend
Jack Henning
Passes Away
Labor Leader
Jack Henning passed away in his San Francisco home June
4, 2009.
Henning, a giant in the California union movement, and a
friend of workers all around the world led the State
Federation of Labor for many years. He went to work for
unions straight out of college and had several
interesting government appointments such as head of the
California Department of Industrial Relations under
Governor Pat Brown, Assistant Secretary of Labor under
President Kennedy and Ambassador to New Zealand under
President Johnson.
Henning's
achievements in Sacramento are made real to workers
every day in the areas of workers comp, disability,
plant closures notification, paid family leave and
safety laws among many, many others.
Local 5
extends its sympathies to the Henning family and thanks
them for allowing him to devote so much of his time to
workers.
Local 5 and
Berkeley Bowl Reach
Accord on New Store
After down to
the wire negotiations Local 5 and the Berkeley Bowl have
reached agreement on a card check and neutrality process
for establishing union representation at the new West
Berkeley store.
On May 19,
the same day the Berkeley City Council was slated to
consider the topic, the company and the union signed off
on a compact that will allow for the workers to decide
the issue of union representation.
Click here to view a related article at
BeyondChron.org.
Trust Fund Launches
New
Website
The Northern
California UFCW and Employers Trust Fund has launched a
new website. The site, which has an abundance of good
information, is available at:
www.ufcwtrust.com.
Union Actors
Make the Case for the
Employee Free Choice Act
Forty seven actors
from the various stage and screen unions have released a
video explaining and endorsing the Employee Free Choice
Act. To view this very well done video
click here.
The project came together
through the incredible coordination of eight
entertainment unions:
Actors’ Equity American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA),
Directors Guild of America (DGA),
Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE),
Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE)
and Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW).
Berkeley City Council to
Discuss New West Berkeley
Bowl Store
On the evening of May 19 the
Berkeley City Council will consider a resolution urging
Berkeley Bowl to participate in a fair process for their
employees at the new West Berkeley location to decide on
union representation. This resolution is important
because it effects the jobs of Local 5 members at the
old store in addition to those at the new store.
Come out Tuesday night and voice
your support for Local 5 members at Berkeley Bowl and
prospective members at the new store. Participation
counts toward the union market share dues reduction
program and new member initiation fee reduction program.
Martin Sheen Stars in
Employee Free Choice Act ad
Actor Martin Sheen, a long time
advocate for worker's rights and an ally of the UFCW,
recently released a radio ad supporting the Employee
Free Choice Act. The ad, which asks Senator Dianne
Feinstein to restate her support of the legislation, can
be heard by
clicking here.
Vigils Set to Push
for Employee
Free Choice
Act
On May 6th workers throughout
the state will begin camping out in front of the offices
of Senator Dianne Feinstein to push for passage of
the Employee Free Choice Act. Feinstein is a key
vote in restoring the American middle class, but to date
she has refused to acknowledge her position on this
historic piece of legislation. Your participation is
important and counts for credit towards the union market
share dues refund program and new members initiation
credit program.
If you can't make the vigil make
sure you contact Senator Feinstein to give her your
input on employee free choice. Get details by
clicking here.
Crunch Time
Approaching for
Passage of
Employee Free Choice Act
Local 5 member and executive board member, Nancy
Mattingly, who works at Safeway speaks out in favor of
passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Time is drawing short for
passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Both national
Labor Federations, the AFL-CIO and Change to Win are
calling for a vote by Memorial Day. With president Obama
strongly in support but some in congress waffling this
is a key time to act.
The Employee Free Choice Act
will change the fundamental relationship between
employees and employers and give workers equal footing
to organize and improve wages and working conditions for
everyone. If you have not done so already contact your
legislators to urge them to support the act,
particularly Senator Diane Feinstein, who needs to
reemphasize her support as a sponsor.
Diane Garcia
relates her experience during an organizing drive and
the need for the Employee Free Choice Act.
Alameda
Labor Council Honors
Local 5 Stewards
Tamara Perine and Sylvia Pino
Sylvia Pino and
Tamara Perine, Local 5 shop stewards at Safeway on Santa
Rita in Pleasanton and Grand Avenue in Oakland display
their "political activist of the year" awards. A dinner
was held in their honor at the Marriott Hotel in Oakland
on April 3.
On Friday April 3 the Alameda
Labor Council held its annual awards banquet in Oakland.
This year two Local 5 members were honored as the
"political activists of the year," Tamara Perine and
Sylvia Pino.
Pino and Perine earned the award
by working throughout Alameda County, Northern
California and in the battle ground states of Michigan
and Ohio to make sure that America's working people were
heard at the ballot box. Their hard work paid off here
and across the country, delivering an election result
from the presidency on down that any worker can be proud
of.
Local 5
Members Press
Washington to Help Workers
Devin Hagarty and
Tony Alexander joined Congressman George Miller
(D-Martinez), the main sponsor of the Employee Free
Choice Act, in Washington DC.
Local 5 members were joined by UFCW
activists from across the nation in Washington DC
recently to put on the pressure for passage of the
Employee Free Choice Act. This massive lobbying drive,
which took place the week of March 22 was conducted to
convince fence sitting politicians to jump off and join
workers seeking fairness in the workplace.
Thanks go out to Nancy Mattingly
and Devin Hagarty for taking time off work to help bring
Local 5's message to Washington DC.
Legal
and Worker's Comp Advice for Local 5 Members
Members needing advice on
legal matters or issues involving worker's comp may
consult with seasoned attorneys at Local 5's San Jose
office
Worker's comp advice is
available on the first Wednesday of the month and legal
advice is available on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
In order to schedule an appointment please contact Debra
Herrera at the San Jose office.
Valley Power
Strike Ends
Engineers Run Company
Out of Town
After ninety weeks on strike
members of Operating Engineers Local 3 at Valley Power
in San Leandro have shut the company down. Effective
April 1 Valley Power is closing its doors. Join the
sisters and brothers for one more rally to bring this
strike to a close. The event will be held at the plant,
1755 Adams street in San Leandro (down the street from
Waste Management and the Safeway milk plant).
Click here
for a flyer.
Local 5
Rolls to Victory in
Salinas and San Jose
Charlesetta
Williams, a Local 5 steward and resident of Salinas,
testifies in support of the supercenter ban at the
council meeting March 3.
Significant victories took place in
San Jose and Salinas in March for Local 5.
In Salinas the city council voted
5-2, twice in two weeks, to stop the construction of a Wal Mart supercenter
at Harden Ranch. Many Local 5 members attended the
council meetings and made their voices heard in support
of the ban. The council did the right thing and voted to
deny the corporate parasite from Bentonville the ability
to destroy another community. For more information on
the Salinas ban
click here.
In San Jose Local 5 members
succeeded in beating back the attempted recall of
councilmember Madison Nguyen. Members walked precincts,
made phone calls and attended rallies to make sure the
union's strongest advocate on the council prevailed.
Those efforts paid off Tuesday when she retained her
office by a 55% to 45% vote.
Tim Hamann:
Local 5's
New Secretary-Treasurer
On March 2 Tim Hamann was appointed
by the executive board to serve out the unexpired term
of retiring secretary-treasurer Rich Benson by a
unanimous vote.
Tim brings a wealth of experience
to the job in terms of collective bargaining, health and
welfare, pension and trust fund issues. He will continue
his intense advocacy for Local 5's members in his new
role.
Congratulations Tim!
Ron Lind Appointed UFCW
International Vice President
UFCW Local 5 President Ron Lind has
been named International Vice
President of the UFCW. The
appointment, which took place at the
union’s winter board meeting,
increases Local 5 and Northern
California’s visibility and clout on
the labor scene in the US and
Canada. Future efforts to deal with
nationwide employers on a less
regional basis will be facilitated
by this move.
“I’m honored to have been chosen
for this position and I look forward
to continuing to serve the members
of Local 5 as well as fulfilling my
duties to the International Union
during this exciting time for
organized labor,” said Lind.
The Bay Area has not had a voice on
the International Executive Board
for nearly twenty-five years. This
appointment corrects that long
standing oversight and will add to
Local 5’s bargaining power and
national status.
Hilda Solis
Confirmed as
New Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
The Senate finally confirmed Hilda
Solis as the new Secretary of Labor on February 24.
Solis has been an unfailing friend
of UFCW members, walking picket lines during the LA
strike and supporting the union in virtually every
dispute it has faced.
We congratulate the Obama
administration on this outstanding appointment and look
forward to working with the most promising secretary
since the Department of Labor was established.
Thanks go out to all UFCW members
who made their voices heard in support of this
nomination: you did it again!
New Website
Updates: Shop Stewards, Mercado Campaign Young Workers and
the Political
Page
The shop stewards and political
page have been
updated and a young workers and Mercado Campaign page have
been added to the Local 5 website. All have very
informative blogspots. To check them out click on "Stewards,"
"politics"
or "Young Workers" on the navigation bar to the left,
to access the mercado workers campaign click
here.
Trust
Fund Announces Health Reimbursement Account and
Healthcare Questionnaire
Beginning January 1 members
participating in the Trust Fund's PPO plan (level A, B
or C) will be eligible to access monies from a
healthcare reimbursement account (HRA) set up for them
and their families. This account can be used to pay
co-pays and deductibles charged under the plans.
Click here for a brochure recently mailed by the
Fund about the program. Additional funds may be added to
the account by taking the healthcare questionnaire
addressed in the brochure above.
City of Santa Clara Passes
Big Box Ordinance
On Tuesday February 24 the Santa
Clara City Council passed a ban on
supercenters after being urged on by
over one hundred members of Local 5,
the labor council, other local
unions and the community.
The ban, which
was delayed because of developments
over the 49ers stadium, precludes
development of stores of over 90,000
sq ft with more than 5% non-taxable
product. The council acted prudently
by passing this legislation which
will preserve good union jobs in the
community.
Santa Clara
joins Livermore and the City of
Alameda as municipalities that have
stepped up to the supercenter threat
since the merger that created local
5. See more on this story on the
political blogspot.
City of Santa Clara Passes
Big Box Ordinance
On Tuesday February 24 the Santa
Clara City Council passed a ban on
supercenters after being urged on by
over one hundred members of Local 5,
the labor council, other local
unions and the community.
The ban, which
was delayed because of developments
over the 49ers stadium, precludes
development of stores of over 90,000
sq ft with more than 5% non-taxable
product. The council acted prudently
by passing this legislation which
will preserve good union jobs in the
community.
Santa Clara
joins Livermore and the City of
Alameda as municipalities that have
stepped up to the supercenter threat
since the merger that created local
5. See more on this story on the
political blogspot.
Hilda Solis'
Nomination Out of Committee, Next Stop Full Senate
President Obama's choice for Labor
Secretary, former California legislator Hilda Solis, was
voted out of committee February 11. Her nomination now
faces a full Senate vote.
It is more impotant now than ever that
workers keep the pressure up on the politicians in
Washington to do
the right thing.
Please click below to take action
and make Hilda Solis our new Labor Secretary. After all,
when UFCW members needed her during the Southern
California strike and many other struggles she was
there. Let's return the favor!
It's
Official: Bush out Obama In!
Pranksters in San Francisco covered all the street signs
on Bush street with a greeting appropriate for January
20.
January 20 marked a new day for
America and the world with the swearing in of Barack
Obama as 44th President of the United States. Nobody is
more enthused about this development than America's
workers.
While the global community faces
challenges not seen since the 1930's the new
administration provides hope that with a new outlook
problems that months ago seemed insurmountable may be
overcome.
America's working families have
been stuck with the short end of the previous
administration's free market policies and wars for the
last eight years. The time has come to arrest the
corporate crooks and resolve international disputes
without putting our youth in harms way.
One appointment stands out as
indicative of the new president's intention to shake up
the status quo, Hilda Solis as Labor Secretary. Solis,
the daughter of immigrants used money out of her own
pocket to place a proposition on the California ballot
to raise the minimum wage. This stands in stark contrast
to Bush's appointees who did everything they could to
keep wages low and bust unions. Obama has appointed the
first woman Secretary of Labor since Francis Perkins,
Franklin Roosevelt's appointee. FDR had a pretty good
record for dealing with economic train wrecks and war.
We are confident Obama will have just as good a record for working
families.
Here's the crowd Ron Lind, Local 5's
President and Tony Alexander, Local 5's Political
Director, were part of in Washington DC on January 20.
Fresh and
Easy Puts Northern California Expansion Plans on Ice
Tesco has announced plans to
suspend expansion of its Fresh and Easy stores into
Northern California for the time being. Company
spokespersons have confirmed they are stopping expansion
at Bakersfield due to the economy. They will not confirm
the other two factors for the change in plans: less than
expected performance in their existing stores and the
UFCW.
The international union and local
unions in Northern and Southern California, Nevada and
Arizona have been working to make sure Tesco, the parent
company of Fresh and Easy, treats its workers in the US
the same way they treat them overseas: with dignity and
respect and the right to a union.
Worker
Strength a Sign of Hope in Bleak Times
Workers at
Republic Windows in Chicago took the extraordinary
action of occupying their workplace after their employer
made it clear they were not going to pay final pay or
severance upon the closure of the plant.
The workers,
represented by the United Electrical Workers union (UE)
decided to occupy the plant when Bank of America cut off
the company's line of credit and would not authorize
payments to the workers. The action by UE members led to
the bank backing down and allowed the company to pay up.
The UE members
in Chicago engaged in a tactic not utilized since the
thirties, when the country faced a similar economic
crisis. Their actions may be the first of many not seen
recently to be dusted off and utilized to win workers
their rightful share.
UFCW
Organizes Smithfield
The UFCW has succeeded in
Organizing the world's largest pork processing plant,
Smithfield Meats in Tar Heel North Carolina. This
victory caps an organizing drive that began fifteen
years ago. Two earlier votes were lost in 1994 and 1997
due to employer interference.
The 2008 election, held December11,
was agreed to between the union and the company outside
of the NLRB process and was won 2,041 to 1,879 by the
workers. The format used is basically the same as
provided for in the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) and
shows the importance of getting this legislation passed.
Obama's
Election Eve Address
View Barack Obama's election eve
address to the nation and world here.
Christmas
Day is a Volunteer Day in the Food Industry
If you work in a
facility covered by the master food agreement or the
Save Mart agreement work on Christmas Day is voluntary.
Should you
encounter problems with scheduling please contact your
union representative immediately.
Worker
Strength a Sign of Hope in Bleak Times
Workers at
Republic Windows in Chicago took the extraordinary
action of occupying their workplace after their employer
made it clear they were not going to pay final pay or
severance upon the closure of the plant.
The workers,
represented by the United Electrical Workers union (UE)
decided to occupy the plant when Bank of America cut off
the company's line of credit and would not authorize
payments to the workers. The action by UE members led to
the bank backing down and allowed the company to pay up.
The UE members
in Chicago engaged in a tactic not utilized since the
thirties, when the country faced a similar economic
crisis. Their actions may be the first of many not seen
recently to be dusted off and utilized to win workers
their rightful share.
Obama's
Election Eve Address
View Barack Obama's election eve
address to the nation and world here.
Season's
Greetings to UFCW Local 5 Members and Allies
The officers and
staff of UFCW Local 5 wish all members, their families
and the union's friends and allies a safe and happy
holiday season.
2008 was a
historic year due to the efforts of the membership and
our friends. The unprecedented election sweep that took
place would not have been possible were it not for the
thousands of hours contributed by UFCW 5 volunteers and
our friends to the effort.
2009 will be a
year of challenges. The efforts expended in 2008 will
have to be multiplied many fold to achieve the level of
security workers need in these days of uncertainty. If
2008 is any guide we will be able to face the challenges
confronting us in 2009 with confidence.
Happy Holidays
and Happy New Year!
Retail Food
Industry Industry Open Enrollment November 1-30
Open enrollment for Local 5
members in the retail food industry will be from
November 1-30. Members wishing to change coverage must
do so in writing to the trust fund. The fund will be
sending out annual update letters on which members can
change plans or confirm current status. The annual
update MUST be returned promptly to the trust fund. If
the update letter is not returned claims will not be
processed until such time as it is returned.
We Did it!!!
Obama Elected President
President Elect Obama spoke to the nation and the world
at a rally in Chicago on election eve, November 4. In
the photo above the Obama family makes their first
post-election appearance. From left to right are:
Barack, Sasha, Malia and Michelle.
Capitalizing on the momentum
created by his historic election, President-elect Obama
has wasted no time speaking out for the American people.
In meetings with lame duck
President George Bush, Obama urged the soon to be timed
out administration to focus on creating conditions to
bring the troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. He also
urged that a stimulus package be implemented that helps regular citizens
and
not just Wall Street deal with the worst economic
downturn in memory.
To say that Obama's perspective
on the troubles of the nation is a breath of fresh air
would be a vast understatement. After eight years of
cold indifference from the Bush administration American
workers are finally going to have their voice heard at
the highest levels of US government.
Click here for an article from the Associated Press
on the Obama-Labor legislative program.
Currently America faces its
greatest challenges, both at home and abroad, in terms
of political and economic issues since World War II.
It is reassuring to know that we can count on an
incoming Obama administration to do the right thing for
the whole country and not just a select few.
Congratulations go out to the
membership of Local 5 for ushering in a new, positive
era, even given its challenges, for the country.
Dues
Proposal Passes by
Large Margin
Ballots were counted on
Monday November 24 and the tally showed that UFCW Local
5's dues proposal was passed by a more than two to one
margin. Ratification of this dues structure will
guarantee the economic viability of the local and allow
for the continuation of the fight for the betterment of
wages and working conditions for current members and
organizing opportunities for those not yet in the union.
Hess
Collection Members Collect Back Wages from Company
Local 5 members from the Hess Collection Winery met in
October to collect their second large settlement with
company in as many years.
UFCW Local 5 members working
at the Hess Collection Winery in Napa Valley collected
another large settlement from the company. The union,
working closely with the Agricultural Labor Relations
Board (ALRB), forced the company to pay out $282,528.21
in unpaid wages and penalties.
Since the company had already
paid another substantial claim in 2007 they should play
by the rules and avoid a 2009 vintage pay out.
General
Election News
UFCW Local 5 members led the
way in changing the face of American politics by
electing pro-worker candidates from local boards and
commissions all the way to the White House on November
4. Local 5 members were key players in the complete
transformation of the way business will be conducted in
the political arena for decades to come. Workers will no
longer be an afterthought when decisions are made about
the way the country is run, they will be direct
participants in those discussions.
The victory that took place
on election day could not have happened without the
thousands of conversations that took place at work about
the need for change. Local 5 members stood up,
spoke with co-workers, walked precincts, worked at phone
banks, posted and delivered yard signs and literature
and took on a host of other assignments crucial to
securing the most positive change for workers in
decades. Local 5 members should be proud of their role
in making this a better country for everyone.
In addition to political
action at the local level, the union dispatched
rank and file members and staff to the battle ground
states of Michigan and Ohio. The effort was worth it.
Both states went for Obama, ensuring his overwhelming
election to the highest office in the land. The Local
congratulates and thanks the members and staff, who
volunteered to go back east and be away from their
families for extended periods, to make this historic
election possible.
Local 5 members Tamara Perrine (l) and
Sylvia Pino (r) are presented with Alameda Labor Council
jackets by Council Secretary-Treasurer Sharon Cornu
(Center) for their get out the vote efforts in the 2008
election season.
Historic change is on the
ballot November 4 and Local 5 is pulling out all the
stops to guarantee that change wins after the last vote
is cast. The union is mobilizing members and their
families, stewards and allies to make phone calls, walk
precincts and otherwise educate voting members about the
importance of this election.
The union has sent members
and staff back to battle ground states to make sure the
vote is on the level and that the 2000 Florida and 2004
Ohio debacles are not repeated.
Members of Local 5's Nail and Hair Care Division were
active participants at the stewards meeting.
UFCW 5's second annual shop
stewards conference was a huge success due to the
participation of rank and file leaders and a well
prepared agenda.
A large part of the program
was dedicated to political issues since so much is
riding on the election that will effect shop floor
matters. Stewards discussed the Employee Free Choice Act
(EFCA) and how to get it passed. EFCA will usher in a
new era in union organizing and is key to the survival
of the labor movement and the wages, health and welfare
and justice it provides.
If you are interested in
becoming a shop steward contact your union
representative. Benefits include representing your
co-workers and the use of a dedicated stewards page on
this site.
Local 5 Wins
Big in Tracy Organizing Drive
Local 5's Organizing
Department has achieved its largest organizing victory
since its inception in January 2007. Workers at Triple E
Produce in Tracy voted overwhelmingly on Friday October
11 to become members of Local 5 by a 140-40 vote.
Triple E processes tomatoes
for commercial and institutional uses.
the union looks forward to
negotiating a contract with the employer to better the
conditions at the company and welcomes our new sisters
and brothers!
City of
Alameda Passes Big Box
Ordinance
In the small
hours of September 17th the Alameda City Council
unanimously passed an ordinance banning supercenters
from doing business on the island. After much testimony
and debate the Council voted 5-0 to implement the ban.
The Alameda
ordinance will ban stores of 90,000 square feet or more
with over 10% grocery from opening. With Alameda in the
process of redeveloping some of the only large tracts of
land left in northern Alameda County this is a
significant victory and will protect union jobs well
into the future.
Alameda Mayor
Beverly Johnson and Council Members DeHaan, Mataresse,
Tam and Gilmore deserve the thanks of the union for
standing up against significant opposition to do the
right thing.
Stewards
Conference Set for
October 7
Local 5
stewards will gather on October 7 in San Jose to set
course for 2009.
If you are
interested in learning more about the steward's program
please contact your area coordinator.
Wal Mart
Attempts to Coerce Employees from Voting for Obama
Just when you
thought Wal Mart could not possibly do anything to make
itself look worse it does. The Wall Street Journal
(WSJ), not exactly a proponent of worker's rights,
reports that the company has been training its district
managers to instruct store managers and store employees
to vote against Barack Obama and other supporters of
workers in the November election.
Company
management has been advised to tell workers that they
should vote against Obama and other Democrats on the
ballot because they do not care about them or their
issues. Wal Mart is actually concerned that a Democratic
majority in the congress and Obama in the White House
will force the company to do the right thing in terms of
health benefits, pensions and unionization. Hopefully,
Wal Mart workers will see through this charade and vote
their own interests come November.
To sign a
petition calling for an investigation into Wal Mart's
outrageous behavior
click here.
Nob
Hill Contract Ratified by Large Margin
On June 11 ballots were counted
at headquarters in San Jose to determine whether the
membership at Nob Hill was in favor of the agreement
negotiated by the union with the company for a new
contract. The result of the vote count was a resounding
88% in favor to ratify. The new agreement raises wages
(which will be paid retroactively), improves benefits in
all job categories and will move the company toward a
one clerk model slowly phasing out food clerks and GMC's
and replacing them with "all-purpose clerks."
UFCW Local 5 President Ron Lind
commented after the vote "This contract took months to
negotiate due to the complicated nature of the issues
involved. It is a tribute to the patience of the members
at Nob Hill and their support that we were able to get
to an agreement that protects the wages, benefits and
working conditions of existing members and establishes a
fair system for future hires to flourish by. We are
proud of this agreement and that is reflected in the
vote by the membership"
2008 Convention Delegates Elected
After a two month process of
nominations and elections delegates to the 2008 UFCW
convention in Montreal have been selected. Your
delegates to the UFCW's policy setting forum are: Ron
Lind, Rich Benson, Tony Alexander, Terry Gonzales, Esai
Alday, Della Garcia, Carl Nakano, Barbara Jennings, Jack
Landes, Pete Maturino, Laurie Mesa, Mike Henneberry,
Gerardo Dominguez, Tim Hamann, Pete Derenale, John
Nunes, John May, Lenny Ortega, George Landers, Dan
Collins, John Rowe, Jay Kline, Todd Tamone, Bob Siirilla
and Gregg Davidson. Due to the retirement of Gregg
Davidson next highest vote getter Rick Gomez will attend
in his place.
A UFCW convention is held every
five years and is responsible for setting policy for the
union.
Tentative Agreement Reached With Nob
Hill
Union negotiators announced
recently that a tentative agreement for a new contract
has been reached with Nob Hill.
This agreement comes after
months of negotiations with the grocery store operator.
Material will be mailed with details of the pact and
informational meetings will be held as follows: Salinas
Thursday May 29, 9AM and 7PM, Santa Cruz Friday May 30,
9AM and 7PM, Hayward Tuesday June 3, 9AM and 7PM,
Vallejo Wednesday June 4, 9AM and 6PM and Martinez
Thursday June 5, 8.30AM and 7PM.
Local 5 President Ron Lind noted
"In this case negotiations went on for what seemed like
forever and the talks presented what looked like
insurmountable obstacles. Due to the fortitude shown by
the members at Nob Hill we were able to reach an
agreement which we are confident the membership will
embrace."
If you have questions please
contact your union representative.
Second Annual Local 5 Scholarship
Applications Available
As graduating seniors and
returning students make plans for Fall of '08 Local has
announced that its second annual scholarship program is
accepting applications.
Applications are due in the
San Jose office by the close of business on July 1,
2008. Please
click here to download the form or see the
May-June newsletter for more information.
Legal and Worker's Comp Advice for
Local 5 Members
Members needing advice on
legal matters or issues involving worker's comp may
consult with seasoned attorneys at Local 5's San Jose
office
Worker's comp advice is
available on the first Wednesday of the month and legal
advice is available on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
In order to schedule an appointment please contact Debra
Herrera at the San Jose office.
Amusement Park Tickets Have Arrived
All work and no play makes
for a dull existence. Liven things up by taking
advantage of Local 5's discount tickets to various theme
parks throughout California. Click here for a list of
venues and prices
New Steward's Page Added to Website
A new page has been added to
the Local 5 website for the use of shop stewards. In
order to access this page for updates and other timely
news items simply click on "Stewards" in the left hand
column.
Upcoming Events
Spring has started off to be
a very busy season. Upcoming events include Cinco De
Mayo events in San Jose and Tulare on May 4, the A's vs.
the Giants at ATT Park on June 13 and retirement
seminars in San Jose and Martinez on June 23 and 24. For
information on any of these events contact the San Jose
office.
Independent Food Stores Ratify New
Agreements
Local 5 members working in
independent food stores from Napa to King City have
voted on and approved new four year collective
bargaining agreements. The contracts, based on the
Safeway settlement, have been overwhelmingly ratified at
over ninety five percent of the independents represented
by the union.
Independent stores operate in
formats across the spectrum, from single-person grocery
stores and warehouse operations to full sized
gourmet-style stores.
Nob Hill Negotiations Progress
Local 5 and Nob Hill stores
continue to meet and confer over a new collective
bargaining agreement. Discussions have been ongoing
since the beginning of the year, and while progress is
slow it is being made. President Ron Lind had this to
say about the talks: "We are confident that we will have
an agreement to present to the membership soon. The
solidarity being shown in the stores continues to give
us the strength at the table to fight for an exceptional
contract."
For further details on the
talks please contact your union representative.
Kirk Kearn Hangs up His Knives
Kirk Kearn
wrapped up thirty-six years in the grocery industry on
February 29, 2008. Kirk planned on being a meat cutter
for “a couple of years” but ended up working in and
managing meat departments, primarily at Lucky stores,
for thirty years. For the balance of his career he
worked as a union rep and Secretary-Treasurer at UFCW
120 and then as a rep at Local 5. By everyone’s account
Kirk did an excellent job in the meat department and in
safeguarding the interests of the UFCW members he
represented.
Kirk will be
missed by all the members he served and by the people he
worked with. Local 5 wishes Kirk well upon his
retirement. Kirk will continue to live in Fremont
with his wife Linda.
SPUR Training-Orientation Set for March
11 and 12
Location and Time to be
Determined
Members who
wish to be considered as candidates to serve as SPURS
must attend a SPUR orientation-training meeting on March
11 or 12. Meetings will be held both days to accommodate
as many applicants as possible. SPURs are rank and file
members who agree to take time off the job to perform
various union related tasks. At the end of the
assignment members return to their jobs with full
seniority intact. SPUR is an acronym for Special
Project Union Representative.
If you have
any questions regarding the SPUR program please
click
here or contact
Kelly Martinez Research:
UFCW 5 240 S. Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-998-0428
Tony Alexander, Political
Director UFCW 5
240 S. Market St
San Jose California 95113
408 998-0428 Ext 214
UFCW ENDORSES OBAMA
Statement
by Joe Hansen
President of
the United Food and Commercial Workers International
Union
Washington —
For the 1.3 million members of the United Food and
Commericial Workers Union (UFCW), the 2008 Presidential
election is about restoring the American dream for
America’s workers. UFCW members are energized to seize
this opportunity to change America and restore the
American Dream for workers and their families.
The UFCW has
a powerful presence and a strong organization in key
primary states such as Wisconsin, Hawaii, Texas and
Ohio. We are the largest union of young workers with
more than forty percent of our members under the age of
thirty. Senator Obama’s message of changing hope into
reality has inspired our members, particularly our young
members, across the country.
We have the
utmost respect for Senator Clinton and her tireless
efforts on behalf of working people. And while both
Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have a vision
to change America, we believe that Senator Obama is the
best candidate to build a movement to unite our country
that will deliver the type of change that is needed –
for good jobs, affordable health care, retirement
security and worker safety.
Our country
requires a change—change that restores America to a
place of opportunity and security, where hard work is
respected and those who do it are protected.
Our country
requires change that brings the security working people
require to improve their lives and the lives of their
children and grandchildren.
Senator Obama
understands the needs of working people. As a community
organizer, he understands that America must restore the
balance between working America and corporate America.
He will fight to level the playing field on behalf of
workers across our country. He will fight to regain the
rights and protections workers have lost after too many
years of the Bush Administration.
UFCW will be
mobilizing, organizing and energizing our members, their
friends and families to make Senator Obama not just the
Democratic nominee, but the next President of the United
States.
We are
talking about the dreams of meatpackers and food
processors working long hours to ensure that the dreams
of their sons and daughters for college and a better
life become a reality. We are talking about giving life
to the dreams of cashiers and clerks in retail and
grocery stores. That is what this election is about. It
is about the dreams of hard working people across this
country. Men and women who deserve to have their elected
officials work as hard as they do.
It is Senator
Obama who is best positioned, and who has the best
policies, to make these dreams a reality. Senator Obama
is the candidate of the American dream.
###
The United
Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)
represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in
the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry
industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and
strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for
health care reform, living wages, retirement security,
safe working conditions and the right to unionize so
that working men and women and their families can
realize the American Dream. For more information about
the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and
strengthen America’s middle class, visit
www.ufcw.org.
UFCW 5 member
Maria Avina was the victim of an unforeseen family
tragedy early on February 4. That morning a fire swept
through her mother’s house killing her mother, her
boyfriend of sixteen years and her two nephews. Sister
Avina is now responsible for laying her family to rest.
Maria has
been a member of the union for seventeen years and works
at Luckys in Napa. The union extends its heartfelt
condolences to her and asks members who are able to do
so to lend a hand.
Members
wishing to assist Sister Avina with this tragic loss can
contact the Redwood Credit Union (1705 First street,
Napa, CA 94559) and inquire about the Castanon Memorial
Fund.
The 2008 UFCW Scholarship application
is now available!
Your union is
about more than your paycheck and benefits. The UFCW is
about workers coming together to build better lives for
ourselves. It's about creating opportunity.
That's why
each year the UFCW awards several scholarships of up to
$8,000 each to UFCW members or their unmarried
dependents.
The
scholarship application will be available January 15 -
March 15, 2008.
With the 2008 elections
gearing up, the UFCW is proud to announce the launch of
www.VoteUFCW.org , a new political site dedicated to
the 2008 Presidential Election and the issues that
matter to working Americans.
On
www.VoteUFCW.org , you can find: Information on the
candidates and where they stand on the issues
Videos,
pictures, and quotes from UFCW members and candidates
talking about issues matter to them
Election results and primary
dates
Voter registration
information
More ways to get involved
No doubt many of you are
already mobilizing members and taking action. Please
consider the VoteUFCW website as another tool to help
educate, involve and mobilize members in these important
elections this fall.
SAN JOSE AREA
SAN JOSE OFFICE
JANUARY 16, 2008
9 AM & 6:30 PM
HAYWARD AREA
HAYWARD OFFICE
JANUARY 15, 2008
9:30 AM & 6:30 PM
MARTINEZ AREA
MARTINEZ OFFICE
JANUARY 15, 2008
9 AM & 7 PM
MONTEREY AREA
JANUARY 15, 2008
11 AM
SALINAS AREA
JANUARY 16, 2008
11 AM
SANTA CRUZ
AREA
JANUARY 23, 2008
11 AM
VALLEJO AREA
JANUARY 16, 2007
5 PM
Local 5 Safeway Members Ratify New
Contract
Local 5
members ratified the latest Safeway contract at a vote
tallied in Martinez on December 27. By a margin of 93%
Safeway workers indicated their support for the pact.
The
ratification of the Safeway deal caps over five months
of food industry negotiations in Northern California and
sets right some of the changes made. to the agreement
after the 2003-2004 LA strike. The new contract provides
for wage increases in all classifications and apprentice
steps, improvements in the health and welfare package
and protection of the pension.
Ron Lind,
President of Local 5, had the following to say about the
vote: "This result confirms what we have seen in the
stores and at membership meetings since the inking of
the tentative agreement with the company, the membership
is deeply satisfied with the agreement. It is due solely
to the solidarity exhibited by every member that this
contract was achieved. We look forward to using this as
a template for unionization where there currently is
none."
Due to the
crush of mail the Postal Service is experiencing due to
the holiday season the voting period for the Safeway
agreement has been extended. You now have until December
26 to return your ballot. It is imperative that you
allow enough time for your ballot to arrive by the 26th
in time for counting on the 27th. It is STRONGLY
recommended that you drop your ballot off in person at
any Local 5 office instead of dropping it in the mail.
Please make
every effort to review the materials distributed and
return your ballot in a timely manner. Your vote is
important! For it to count it must be received on time.
Local Signs Independents to Contract
Extensions
Local 5 union
representatives have completed signing independent
grocers to contract extensions. Independent contracts,
like those of the major chains, expired December 1. By
having these extensions in place members who work in
independent stores are assured that their wages, working
conditions and benefits will be in place pending
negotiations for a new contract. If you work in an
independent and want an update on the status of your
agreement please contact your union representative
Safeway Negotiations Update 12-2-07
Tentative Agreement Reached with Company
Strike
Meetings Canceled
Early Sunday
morning union negotiators reached a tentative contract
agreement with Safeway stores. As a consequence strike
authorization meetings set for December 2 have been
canceled.
Details of
the agreement are being held back pending distribution
to the membership but Local 5 President Ron Lind noted
“Our goal in negotiations was to achieve substantial
wage increases, improvements in health and welfare and
protection of our pensions, we have achieved this and
more. Full credit goes to UFCW members at Safeway for
keeping the pressure on the company to push through this
settlement."
It is
anticipated that information packets along with ballots
will be mailed to Safeway members within seven to ten
days.
For more information click here.
December 1 Safeway negotiations update
UFCW
negotiators continued to meet with Safeway until 3 AM on
Saturday. After a short break, meetings resumed on
Saturday morning.
Local 5
president Ron Lind reported significant progress in the
talks which he credits to the strong stance of the
members at the stores.
We are still
apart on critical issues including wages and benefits.
Strike authorization votes began this morning in Salinas
and will continue through Monday unless a settlement is
reached. It is imperative that you continue to let
management know that you are willing to fight for the
contract that you deserve.
Local 5 Members to Take Strike Vote at
Safeway
As a result
of Safeway’s refusal to negotiate a contract that meets
the needs of Local 5 members employed by the company,
the union will be holding strike authorization meetings
on December 1 and 2. Meetings will be held throughout
the jurisdiction of the union and at various times to
allow all members the opportunity to attend. The
following is a listing of the times and locations of the
meetings:
San Jose- Headquarters Office
Sunday December 2
9AM, Noon, 3PM and 6PM
IBEW Meeting Hall
2125 Canoas Garden Avenue, Suite 100
San Jose, CA
Hayward Office- Alameda
County
Sunday December 2
9AM, Noon, 3PM and 6PM
UFCW Local 5
28870 Mission Blvd.
Hayward, CA
Martinez Office- Contra Costa
County
Sunday December 2
9AM, Noon, 3PM and 6PM
UFCW Local 5
4121 Alhambra Avenue
Martinez, CA
Salinas Office- Tri County
Area
Salinas Meeting
Saturday December 1
9AM, Noon, 3PM and 7PM
Salinas Community Center
940 North Main Street
Santa Cruz Meeting
Sunday December 2
9AM, Noon, 3PM and 7PM
Sea Cliff Inn
7500 Old Dominion Court
Aptos, CA
Vallejo Office
Sunday December 2
9AM-11AM(on the hour)
2PM to 7PM (on the hour)
Note: Office closed between Noon and 2PM
UFCW Local 5
410 Nebraska Avenue
Vallejo, CA
In areas with
shared jurisdictions (Hayward, Martinez and Vallejo)
Local 8 members are welcome to attend meetings at Local
5. Locals 101 and 648 will also be conducting strike
authorization votes in their areas.
Please make
every effort to attend one of these important meetings.
Save Mart, Lucky and Raley’s Members
Vote Yes on New Contract by Large Margin
Capping a
week of informational meetings at offices throughout
Local 5’s jurisdiction, members at Save Mart,
Raley’s and Lucky stores voted overwhelmingly to
authorize a new four-year agreement with their
employers. Ballots were counted on Saturday November
17, 2007 in Walnut Creek and reflected yes vote of
92% by Save Mart and Lucky workers and 89% by
Raley’s employees.
The new
contract brings to a close several months of
negotiations between UFCW Locals, representing all
of Northern California, and Save Mart, Lucky and
Raley’s. The pact includes wages increases in all
classifications and apprentice steps, improvements
in health and welfare benefits, modification of work
assignments and guarantees a uniform contract
expiration date for all local unions. UFCW Local 5
President Ron Lind noted “we are pleased with the
enthusiasm shown in the vote on the new agreement
and will now redouble our efforts to reach a
positive contract settlement at Safeway.”
Locals
involved in the talks were UFCW Local 5 (San Jose),
UFCW Local 8 (Roseville), UFCW 101 (South San
Francisco) and UFCW Local 648 (San Francisco). The
same locals are currently engaged in discussions
with Safeway regarding modifications to the contract
there. Safeway talks are not complete and the
membership will be advised of any developments.
Northern California UFCW Locals
Reach Tentative Agreement with Raley's and Save Mart
for New Contract
On Friday
October 26 four Northern California UFCW locals
announced they had reached tentative agreement for a
new contract with Raley's and Save Mart. The old
contract was set to expire December 1. Locals
involved in the talks were Local 5, 8, 101 and 648.
Stores in Local 5's area covered by the proposed
settlement are Raley's, Save Mart and
Lucky Stores. Ron Lind, President of Local 5, said
that bargaining priorities were to achieve
substantial wage increases, improve medical coverage
with no employee paid premiums, protection of
pension benefits and no concessions. "We have
accomplished our bargaining goals and more" he
stated. Details of the agreement were not released
pending notification of the members and distribution
of the tentative pact. It is anticipated that
informational packets, with ballots, will be mailed
the week of October 28. Talks with Safeway, where
the contract also expires December 1, are
continuing.
UFCW Supports State Labor
Federation's Position on Health Care Reform in
California
The most important issue
facing most working Californians is acquiring and
maintaining health benefits for themselves and their
families. The UFCW and the State Federation of Labor
do not feel that the recent reforms introduced by
the Governor's office adequetely adress the medical
crisis which exists in the State.
Click here to view a copy of the Federation's
statement on the battle for reform in the capitol.
Local Announces Cooling off Period
in Farmer Joe’s Dispute- Area Politicians Attempt to
Bring Sides Together
Local 5 has called a
cooling off period in the lengthy dispute at Farmer
Joe’s Market in Oakland. The union, responding to a
letter written by Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums,
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Assemblyman Sandre
Swanson and council woman Jean Quan, agreed to
engage in dialogue with the company. While talks are
being set up the union has agreed to suspend
leafleting and boycott activities.
The Farmer Joe’s dispute
began after the company disrupted an organizing
drive at the company’s two stores in Oakland by
hiring a union-busting consultant to spread
disinformation about the union and intimidate
employees. The organizing campaign began in August
of 2006 with a strong internal organizing committee
and to date has included leafleting, rallies a march
and the company’s placement on the State Labor
Federation’s boycott list. The workers and unions
request since the beginning of the drive has been
for management to acknowledge their employee’s
demand for a neutrality agreement. Neutrality
agreements have worked many times to settle issues
like this, most recently at Nob Hll in Alameda in
February.
Local 5 President Ron
Lind stated “the union is prepared to meet any time
and any place to resolve the issues that effect
Farmer Joe’s Worker’s and the community. We have
taken the action of suspending leafleting and
boycott activities as a sign of good faith. Should
this sign of good faith be rebuffed we will revisit
our options and take appropriate action at that
time.”
Northern California Bargaining
Starts
Negotiations for a new
contract in Northern California have begun with the
major grocery chains. Local 5 is entering theses
talks with objectives based on surveys submitted by
the membership. If you have not sent one in, the
form is available on the homepage of the website.
Local 5 has met with
Raley's-Nob Hill and Save Mart (Lucky) along with
representatives from Locals 8, 101 and 648.
According to Local 5 President Ron Lind " talks have
been fairly productive with Raley's and Save Mart
but less so with Safeway. We will continue talks
where progress can be made for a better contract for
Local 5 members."
Stay involved in these
negotiations. Wear your union button at work and
continue to monitor the website for developments.
Click here to download a negotiations update flyer.
Flu Shots Available at Hayward
Office November 13
Flu shots will be
available on November 13 from 9.30 to 10.30 AM at
the Hayward office. These shots will save you the
trouble of bout of the flu later on this year.
Professionals are predicting a bad flu season so a
little discomfort now will pay dividends for you and
your family in the future. The cost of this
procedure is $20
Call 1-800-500-2400 for
more information.
Bid Period for Full-Time Open Under
Grocery Contract
Members wanting to bid
for full-time positions have until August 18 to do
so. If you would like a form please download one on
the forms page or contact the union. The bid must be
submitted to store management by the 18th of August.
Please make sure to save a copy for yourself and the
union.
Local 5 Night at the Ball Park
On Wednesday August 15 the
A's will take on the Chicago White Sox. The
15th is Dollar Dog Night and Local 5 has great seats
available for only $16.
Here are the details:
Local 5 night at the Ball Park, A's vs. Chicago
White Sox, August 15, 2007 at 7:05PM at the Oakland
Coliseum, Cost is $16 per ticket.
Please contact Melodie
Lum-Sasada or Pat Gordillo at the Hayward Office for
Tickets or more information, toll free,
1-877-655-FIVE(3483).
Grocery Negotiations Survey
Available Online
This year's grocery
negotiations survey is now available online. Please
click here or on the red
button on the homepage to fill out the survey.
Surveys will be used to set bargaining priorities
for upcoming negotiations with the food employers.
Just fill out the survey and send it in via the
internet. This survey will only take a few moments
of your time but will make a big difference for
contract talks.
Local 5 and UC Berkeley Announce Safety
Survey
All of you who work so hard
on a daily basis to try and get your job finished know
there is always the risk of getting injured on the job.
You have probably seen a Safety Auditor in your own
store, or perhaps you have been written up for a Safety
violation. UFCW Local 5 and the Labor Occupational
Health Program at UC Berkeley are working together to
obtain a better overview of the health
and safety hazards that YOU are concerned about.
Form more information, please contact Megan Templin or
Celeste Wong at: ufcwproject@gmail.com
Tentative Agreement Announced in LA
Grocery Negotiations
On July 18, the San Francisco
Chronicle (click
here for their story ) reported that a tentative
agreement had been reached late on the 17th in the LA
grocery contract talks. Details of the pact are being
withheld pending ratification by the Southern California
membership on Sunday the 22nd.
This agreement, if ratified,
avoids a situation that appeared to heading toward a
strike. When the Southern California locals struck and
were locked out in 2003-2004 the dispute lasted four and
a half months. Please visit the links regarding Southern
California negotiations on this page for more
information.
Agricultural Division Wrests
Historic Settlement from Hess Collection Winery
On June 16 the General Counsel
of the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB)
met with UFCW 5 members to distribute checks in a
union victory over the Hess Collection Winery. The
victory involved thirty-six charges against the
winery for failure to pay correct wages, failure to
pay overtime, forcing employees to work through
lunch and a host of other violations of the
Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA). These
violations took place after the union organized the
winery and had seriously hampered efforts to get a
first contract with the company. According to
Agricultural Division Director Pete Maturino, the
settlement for $252,265.50, got the company’s
attention and has changed their attitude in
bargaining. The single largest check went to Antonio
Elena for over $50,000. A contract settlement is
expected soon.
Fight for
Dignity and Respect Continues at Farmer Joe's
Workers at Farmer Joe's,
members of Local 5, Labor Council affiliates and members
of the community continue to leaflet Farmer Joe's at
Fruitvale and 580 in Oakland to fight for a union there.
After working to form a
union for several months the company hired an anti-union
consultant and began firing pro-union workers, In fact
lead organizer Nydia Williams was suspended pending on
Christmas Eve and subsequently terminated.
"Farmer" Joe Tam is a 19
year former UFCW 870 member who apparently believes the
American dream, which he achieved by working under a
UFCW contract, is OK for him but not the people he now
employs.
Come help spread the word
at Farmer Joe's every Friday night between 5.30 and 6.30
PM. The market is located at Fruitvale and 580 in
Oakland.
Target Scraps Plans for Store at
Site of old Safeway in Alameda
Officials in the City of
Alameda announced Target no longer intends to build
a store at the site of the old Safeway #582 at the
South Shore shopping Center. Company
representatives said that although they would not be
pursuing plans to build at South Shore, they may
attempt to locate elsewhere on the island. The
decision to pullout was attributed to resident and
Planning Commission concerns about the effects the
store would have on traffic congestion.
Local 5 has been
monitoring reports that Target may be contemplating
building a super center with full grocery component
in the near future. The local will continue to
monitor these developments and resist the entry of
super centers to the Bay Area Market.
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Press Conference Held 6-27-07
Denouncing Farmer Joe's Sale of Stale Products to
Public
On Wednesday June 27, 2007 a
press conference was held in front of the Alameda
County Environmental Health building to publicize
the fact that Farmer Joe's Market in Oakland has
been offering stale dated products for sale to the
public. The gathering was also held to announce that
a formal complaint against the company would be
lodged with the Department which has oversight for
insuring that only healthful products are available
to the public. Members of the Instituto Laboral dela
Raza, the Healthy Commumities Network (HCN), the
California League of United Latino Citizens (LULAC)
(sponsors of the press conference) and individuals
from the neighborhood near the store discussed their
revulsion at finding long expired products on the
shelves, some exhibiting obvious mold. The products
also included items specifically for children such
as baby yogurt. In some cases food more than
seventy-five days past its expiration date was found
on the shelves.
Maritime Unions
Request Help in Alcatraz Fight
When
visitors come from out of town have them keep away
from visits to Alcatraz. Recently the Bush
Administration contracted out the work for
transporting tourists to Alcatraz to a non-union
firm and the captains, mates, engineers, deckhands
and sailors that all worked on that route have been
let go. Support the Masters, Mates and Pilots Union
(MM&P) and the Inland Boatman’s Union (IBU) by
looking at Alcatraz from a safe distance. For more
information contact the IBU at (415) 896-1224.
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