Monthly Archives: December 2018

This year, the UFCW made an impact on thousands of lives by addressing hunger in America, helping to find a cure for blood cancers and standing with members of our union family in the aftermath of a tornado, a fire and other disasters.

Once again, the UFCW served as a national partner of National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive—the largest single-day food drive in the world. In the weeks leading up to Saturday, May 13, our union family helped collect millions of pounds of non-perishable food made by union members for local food banks. The UFCW has served as a national sponsor of the NALC’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive for the past three years. In that time, the food drive has collected more than 150 million pounds of food.

The UFCW continued to expand on last year’s launch of the Labor Against Cancer initiative in the battle to end blood cancers. This initiative builds on our 30-year partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fund and support some of the world’s best and brightest blood cancer researchers to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. To date, we have raised over $86 million to help fund research that has advanced treatments such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and smart drugs, which have become the standard for many other cancers.

This year, our union family also helped out members who were affected by Camp Fire in California and the tornado in Iowa. In addition, we donated time, resources and money to spread a little cheer during the holiday season.

Here are a few examples of the ways the UFCW gave back to communities across the country this year:

Standing With Our Union Family in California

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/12/03/standing-with-our-union-family-in-california/

UFCW Members Celebrate Thanksgiving by Giving Back to Their Communities

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/11/26/ufcw-members-celebrate-thanksgiving-by-giving-back-to-their-communities/

Help Make Labor Against Cancer Donation Drive a Success

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/09/10/help-make-labor-against-cancer-donation-drive-a-success/

UFCW United Latinos Empower Workers in Puerto Rico

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/08/27/united-latinos-empower-workers-in-puerto-rico/

Helping Tornado-Stricken Workers in Iowa

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/08/06/helping-tornado-stricken-workers-in-iowa/

UFCW Helps to Stamp Out Hunger in Communities Across the Country

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/05/14/ufcw-helps-to-stamp-out-hunger-in-communities-across-the-country/

Help Make This Year’s Stamp Out Hunger Campaign a Success

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/04/02/help-make-this-years-stamp-out-hunger-campaign-a-success/

Locals 1189 and 653 Hold Labor Against Cancer Event With Union Retail Grocers in Minnesota

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/03/19/locals-1189-and-653-hold-labor-against-cancer-event-with-union-retail-grocers-in-minneapolis/

Local 1149 and JBS Donate to Local Schools in Iowa

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/01/22/local-1149-and-jbs-give-back-to-marshalltown-community-school-district/

UFCW members stood together to negotiate strong contracts this year, and some celebrated the benefit of having a first union contract. A list of bargaining victories is included in this article.

Lubaba Qabeto and Yolanda Womack, who are members of UFCW Local 663 and work at Seward Community Co-op in Minneapolis in the Franklin and Friendship locations, ratified their first union contract on August 31. The two-year contract includes pay equity, consistent scheduling and discipline procedures, as well as diversity and inclusion language.

“I’m happy that I’ll be getting better wages,” said Qabeto. “It’s a great win for all of us union members. Better wages mean more money for my family to overcome financial burdens so we can thrive.”

“This contract will help Seward Community Co-op become a more attractive place of employment for women and people of color,” said Womack. “We have a voice at work. Employees are also better able to provide for their families because of better wages and improved working conditions.”

Richard Mondesir, who is a member of UFCW Local 1776KS and works at Mission Foods in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, ratified his first union contract on April 13. The three-year contract includes language that sets up a grievance process and seniority system, locks in minimum wage increases, and includes paid sick time. Union representatives also will have access into the Mission Foods plant to meet with members and investigate grievances.

“This contract being ratified means a lot to me, because without a contract you cannot get anything done. There are a lot of things here that need to be fixed and a union contract will help make that happen,” said Mondesir. “When we work together, we are stronger.”

Here are the bargaining victories that appeared in OnPoint this year:

A New Contract for Kroger Workers in Ohio

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/12/10/a-new-contract-for-kroger-workers-in-ohio/

Kroger Workers in Indiana Stand Together for a Better Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/12/03/local-700-kroger-workers-in-indiana-stand-together-for-a-better-contract/

New Kaiser Permanente Contract Raises Wages and Improves Benefits

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/11/13/new-kaiser-permanente-contract-raises-wages-and-improves-benefits/

Local 1776KS Kroger Workers Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/11/05/local-1776ks-kroger-workers-ratify-new-contract/

Local 663 JBS Workers Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/10/29/local-663-jbs-workers-ratify-new-contract/

Local 152 Assisted Living Workers in New Jersey Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/10/22/local-152-assisted-living-workers-in-new-jersey-ratify-new-contract/

New Rite Aid Contract Raises Wages, Protects Benefits

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/10/15/new-rite-aid-contract-raises-wages-protects-benefits/

TBC Brands Workers in Tennessee Ratify First Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/10/15/tbc-brands-workers-in-tennessee-ratify-first-contract/

3,700 Kroger Workers Gain Better Wages in New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/09/17/virginia-kroger-workers-stand-together-for-a-better-contract/

New Jersey Health and Rehab Workers Rack Up Wins in New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/09/17/new-jersey-rehab-workers-win-a-better-contract/

Local 663 Seward Co-op Workers Ratify First Union Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/09/10/local-663-seward-co-op-workers-ratify-first-union-contract/

Local 21 Have a Heart Workers Ratify Washington’s First Adult-Use Cannabis Union Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/09/04/local-21-have-a-heart-workers-ratify-washingtons-first/

A Better Contract for Indiana Kroger Workers

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/08/27/a-better-contract-for-indiana-kroger-workers/

A Better Contract for Local 1776 Grocery Workers

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/08/20/a-better-contract-for-local-1776-grocery-workers/

Local 152 Members in New Jersey Negotiate a Better Life

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/08/20/new-jersey-health-care-workers-stand-together-for-a-better-life/

Big Wage Increases for Dr. Pepper Workers

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/08/06/local-400-dr-pepper-workers-win-a-better-contract/

Wells Meat Company Workers in Philadelphia Win a Better Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/07/30/wells-meat-company-workers-in-philadelphia-win-a-better-contract/

Farmer John Workers in California Ratify Historic New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/07/16/farmer-john-workers-in-california-ratify-historic-new-contract/

New Jersey Health Care Workers Ratify First Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/07/09/new-jersey-health-care-workers-ratify-first-contract/

Better Contracts for Washington Health Care Workers

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/07/09/washington-multicare-workers-stand-together-for-better-contracts/

Improving Health Care Jobs in Minnesota

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/07/09/essentia-health-workers-in-minnesota-ratify-new-contract/

A Better Contract for Food Workers in New Jersey

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/06/25/a-better-contract-for-food-workers-in-new-jersey/

A Better Contract for Hanover Foods Workers in Maryland

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/06/11/hanover-foods-workers-in-maryland-bargain-for-a-better-life/

First Contract for New Jersey Health Care Workers

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/06/04/health-care-workers-in-new-jersey-ratify-first-contract/

Local 7 Safeway Pharmacy Technicians in Wyoming Bargain for a Better Life

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/05/29/local-7-safeway-pharmacy-technicians-in-wyoming-bargain-for-a-better-life/

RWDSU/UFCW Local 220 Mott’s Workers in New York Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/05/07/rwdsu-ufcw-local-220-motts-workers-in-new-york-ratify-new-contract/

Local 1776 Mission Foods Workers in Pennsylvania Ratify First Union Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/04/30/local-1776-mission-foods-members-in-pennsylvania-ratify-first-union-contract/

SBM Management Services Workers in Virginia Ratify First Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/04/09/sbm-management-services-workers-in-virginia-ratify-first-contract/

Local 536 Kroger Workers in Illinois Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/03/26/local-536-kroger-workers-in-illinois-ratify-new-contract/

Local 540 Silgan Containers Workers in Texas Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/03/19/ufcw-local-540-silgan-containers-workers-ratify-new-contract/

Local 75 Kroger Workers in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/03/12/local-75-kroger-workers-in-ohio-kentucky-and-indiana-ratify-new-contract/

Local 653 Members at Supervalu Cub Foods, Kowalski’s and Independent Grocers in Minnesota Ratify New Contracts

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/03/12/local-653-members-at-supervalu-cub-foods-kowalskis-and-independent-grocers-in-minnesota-ratify-new-contracts/

Local 653 Jerry’s Enterprises Workers in Minnesota Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/03/05/local-653-jerrys-enterprises-workers-in-minnesota-ratify-new-contract/

Local 152 Pitman Manor Workers in New Jersey Ratify First Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/02/26/local-152-pitman-manor-workers-in-new-jersey-ratify-first-contract/

Local 653 Lunds & Byerlys Workers in Minneapolis Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/02/20/local-653-lunds-byerlys-workers-in-minneapolis-ratify-new-contract/

Local 919 Burlington Coat Factory Workers Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/02/20/local-919-burlington-coat-factory-workers-ratify-new-contract/

Wild Oats Market Co-op Workers in Massachusetts Ratify First Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/01/22/wild-oats-market-co-op-workers-in-massachusetts-ratify-first-contract/

Harrison Medical Center Workers in Washington Ratify New Contracts

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/01/16/harrison-medical-center-workers-in-washington-ratify-new-contracts/

Gold Cross Ambulance Workers in Minnesota Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/01/16/gold-cross-ambulance-workers-in-minnesota-ratify-new-contract/

Local 653 Eastside Food Co-op Workers Ratify First Union Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/01/02/local-653-eastside-food-co-op-workers-ratify-first-union-contract/

Local 919 Community Renewal Team Workers Ratify New Contract

http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2018/01/02/local-919-community-renewal-team-workers-ratify-new-contract/