Monthly Archives: July 2019

Helping to grow our union family and strengthen worker power is essential to helping our members build a better life. Region 1 is helping to achieve that by working with the International to increase organizer training and share the value of belonging to the UFCW.

In the past six months, locals in Region 1 have welcomed workers in industries ranging from retail to food processing to transportation to health care and are actively working to engage more workers in other industries.

“Joining a union brings us many great opportunities,” said Pedro Maldando, who is a transportation worker at National Express and recently joined UFCW Local 1459 in Region 1 in June, along with his 139 colleagues.

On July 22 to 24, Region 1 hosted a training session for organizing directors at UFCW Local 1500’s office in Long Island, N.Y. The training focused on organizing campaign research, updates on labor law around organizing, skills and tactics used during organizing campaigns (pre-petition and post-petition), and how to structure organizing to better assist bargaining towards a first contract.
In addition to holding training sessions for organizers, Region 1 has coordinated with the International’s Organizing Department to hire and train organizers and find new ways to grow our union family, including training volunteer members to be organizers in their workplaces.

“Regardless of what’s happening, whether it’s bargaining or something else, organizing has always been a priority at Region 1,” said Director of Region 1 Dave Young. “And the results speak for themselves.”

Region 1 has also worked with the Communications, Strategic Resources and Information Technology departments to refine its ability to communicate with workers, including using the Hustle app, compile research on employers, and incorporate the Sidekick app to maintain accurate data and connect with potential members. The region has also spent time on staff and leadership development.
Sharing the value of belonging to our union family is another key factor in organizing, and Region 1 has involved membership in talking to potential members about the benefits of belonging to the UFCW. The region also works with community allies, which have played a vital role in reaching more workers, and has been active in supporting legislation that helps our members and potential members, including the Good Food Purchasing Program in Boston.

If your local is interested in learning more about the Hustle app to communicate with members and potential members, contact Mia Perry in the Communications Department at mperry@ufcw.org. To learn more about the Sidekick app or to arrange for a training session, contact Laurie Kolish at the Information Technology Department at lkolish@ufcw.org.

Members of RWDSU/UFCW Local 125 who work at National Beef Leathers in St. Joseph, Mo., ratified a new contract in July that raises wages and protects benefits. Over 400 workers are employed at the National Beef Leathers plant, where they process cowhide into blue leather, which is then sold to vendors that turn it into everything from shoes to car seat covers.

The five-year contract increases wages and includes a $1,000 signing bonus. The agreement also includes longevity pay increases based on a member gaining five years seniority and again at 10 years seniority, numerous improvements in language, as well in seniority and funeral leave. The agreement also created eight new positions that will be known as a Flex Employee in the Production Department (that will be a basic relief person in that department). Additionally, the contract maintains the company’s medical insurance with little change in the plan starting in January of 2021 with little premium increases to the members.