Posts Categorized: Health Care

Members of UFCW Local 5 who work at CVS store number 9554 in San Mateo, Calif., recently ratified a first contract that provides better wages and a voice in the workplace.

The ratification took place nearly one year after UFCW Local 5 was certified by the National Labor Relations Board as the bargaining representative of the store’s 15 workers after they voted in favor of union representation.

For many of the employees at the store, the wait for union representation was even longer.

“We wanted the union when workers at all CVS stores in the Bay Area had the opportunity to join Local 5 several years ago, but our store missed out by one vote,” said Bonnie Armanino who has been with CVS for 23 years and is a new Shop Steward. “This time we were on a mission, we kept everybody together, didn’t get discouraged and finally got the contract that we deserve.”

While the most compelling issue was rates of pay according to Armanino, job security was at stake as well. When a 30-year employee at the store was fired for a minor violation of company policy, UFCW Local 5 representatives took on her case and even though a contract was not yet in place, and successfully got her reinstated to her former position.

“That was a great example of what union representation means to us,” Armanino added. “Now we have this protection and job security in writing which is so important with a major company like CVS.”

These new members join their colleagues at more than 75 of the company’s stores throughout the Bay Area that have unionized with UFCW Local 5. The UFCW represents over 12,000 CVS workers nationwide.

Over 200 workers at CBI Health in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, recently joined UFCW Local 832 for a better life.

These new members of our union family are employed as direct support professionals and team leads that support individuals living with disabilities or illnesses, which can be related to cognitive challenges, physical health or mental health. They joined UFCW Local 832 because they were concerned about scheduling changes, workplace health and safety issues, and favoritism.

The campaign to organize these workers included handing out information about the UFCW at CBI Health, and reaching out to workers via Facebook and other social media platforms. CBI Health workers voted electronically to join UFCW Local 832 on Oct. 6 to 8. However, due to a dispute over voter eligibility, the workers had to wait and wonder about the outcome. On Thursday, Oct. 27, the union received the certificate from the Manitoba Labour Board, and the workers were thrilled to hear that they had officially unionized their workplace with the UFCW.

“Our new union members at CBI Health have gained a strong voice at work and support when they need it most,” said UFCW Local 832 President Jeff Traeger. “We look forward to diving deeper into the issues they face and working with them to develop a fair contract with their employer that addresses those issues.”

This new unit will join almost 17,000 active UFCW Local 832 members in Manitoba, with more than 1,400 of those members in the assisted living sector, working at over a dozen similar agencies.