Monthly Archives: May 2015

More than 35 UFCW delegates from UFCW Locals 75, 400, 655, 881, and 1546, along with international staff, attended the Coalition for Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) convention where they were keynote speakers and lead convention panels. The CBTU convention was in Chicago from May 2st – May 24th. The conference was opened by UFCW Civil Rights and Community Action Associate Director Robin Williams and the UFCW Minority Coalition took the opportunity to hold their executive board meeting during the convention. On the second day of the convention, UFCW International President Marc Perrone was the keynote speaker and Mannie Pratt from UFCW Local 881 led the women’s luncheon panel that honored women in the labor movement.

“Looking ahead, the work you all do as part of the CBTU has impacted so many. Through education, community involvement, and political empowerment, you are giving a voice to the otherwise voiceless. Everyday, it is changing lives, and it will help change the UFCW and other unions for the better. By helping African American workers unite, you not only make our union families stronger, you make every member’s family – whether they are African American or not – stronger,” said UFCW International President Perrone.

This year’s CBTU convention focused on how the labor movement can form stronger relationships and work with local communities and young activists. Panel discussions covered low-wage workers, politics, massive incarceration, and education. There were also workshops that focused on leadership, community organizing, representing the new faces of the workforce, and understanding racism. Following the convention, UFCW and CBTU chapter delegates were encouraged take the tools that they received back to their locals and communities in order to better serve current union members and help organize more workers.

Last Thursday, UFCW Local 951 members working at the JBS slaughterhouse and meatpacking facility in Plainwell, Mich., overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract that includes significant wage increases and other gains.

“This is a very good contract that will put real money in members’ pockets over the next five years,” said UFCW Local 951 President John Cakmakci. “In addition to wage increases for all members, the contract includes a plan to provide free medical services to members and their eligible dependents.”

Upon ratification, all members will receive a wage increase ranging from 85 cents to over $3 per hour. Base rates that currently range from $10.35 to $26 per hour will increase $2.05 an hour over the next four years.

The contract also includes a unique approach to health care that will give members the opportunity to save money on their medical expenses. Once established, members will have the option of receiving free medical care at designated clinics.

“Other UFCW locals have negotiated similar clinic provisions in their medical insurance plans with JBS and they have been extremely successful,” Cakmakci said. “Members save money on their medical expenses, and the employer’s insurance costs are reduced over time because people aren’t waiting to receive treatment. It’s a win, win situation.”

Workers at the plant are excited about the improvements in the new contract.

“The new contract is going to make people’s lives better,” said UFCW Local 951 member Ryan Romanak, who works in the grind department. “They’re going to be making more money with the new clinic and with the health benefits being upgraded, workers and their families are going to be happier.”

“Everybody seems to be happy with the new contract. The whole plant will benefit from the new contract. More than 200 jobs got moved up a pay grade, and then on top of that, everybody got a raise,” said Torris Brazier, a cooler department employee. “I think the money and the insurance are the best parts of the contract. That’s the most important part to me. Those are the things we live for. Health and money, in that order.”

In addition to these gains, the new contract maintains double time pay for work on Sundays and holidays, and time and one-half pay for work on a sixth day in a single week and for all hours worked over eight in a day.

Approximately 900 UFCW Local 951 members work at the JBS plant. This is the second contract members have ratified since voting to join the union in 2011.