Posts Tagged: UFCW Local 1996

UFCW Hormel workers are holding a chain-wide handbill action today in support of a UFCW steward named Jen Pulaski who was unjustly fired for standing up for her coworkers and exercising her union rights.

UFCW Hormel workers are holding a chain-wide handbill action in support of a UFCW steward named Jen Pulaski who was unjustly fired for standing up for her coworkers and exercising her union rights. Hormel workers from UFCW Locals 6, 9, 293, 431, 1473, and 1996 are handbilling their managers and HR directors to send a message telling them that this kind of retaliation won’t be tolerated – and that they won’t rest until there’s “Justice for Jen.”

Jen, a steward at the Beloit, Wis., Hormel plant and a 12 year veteran was fired in retaliation for her advocacy on behalf of her coworkers. Jen has been an active steward this year, and almost every time Jen took action to make work a better place for her coworkers, she was disciplined on the job. Eventually, she was fired on a trumped-up “misconduct” charge.

Back in March, Jen testified on behalf of a co-worker in an arbitration, and her testimony made the Human Resources manager at her plant look bad. The next day, she was disciplined. In early May, she attended a union meeting. She was disciplined the day she returned to work. At the end of May, she was named as a plaintiff in a state wage and hour complaint because she and other workers weren’t being properly paid while they were donning and doffing required equipment. She was disciplined again. Finally, while representing a co-worker in a grievance, the discussion got heated. The next day, she was fired on a trumped-up “misconduct” charge.

The pattern of action met with discipline and termination makes it clear that her firing was unjust retaliation for her work as a union steward and advocacy on behalf of her co-workers. This is just the latest in of a string of company attempts to silence Jen and other stewards, and weaken workers’ union voice. UFCW Local 1473 has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board against Hormel to stand up for Jen.

UFCW local union leaders and legislative and political representatives from across the country met in Chicago last week for the 2014 Legislative and Political Action Conference. Conference participants learned about what’s at stake in the 2014 elections and how to strategize on key campaigns and statewide anti-union initiatives like Right to Work. Kentucky Secretary of State and candidate for U.S. Senate Alison Lundergan Grimes roused the crowd describing her plans to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Attendees also heard speeches from elected officials, candidates, cabinet members, and clergy. The conference was an opportunity for UFCW locals across the country to discuss important issues and prepare for the 2014 midterm elections.

Local unions weighed in at the conclusion of the conference.

“I particularly enjoyed Secretary Perez. I was really pleased with the connectedness he had with our issues and our members. As a political wonk, I also liked hearing all of Charlie Cook’s political predictions. It was great to hear realistic projections for all over the United States. Having two women open up the conference was something I appreciated. Both Wendy Davis and Alison Lundergan Grimes were excellent.” – Mary Lou Weymer, UFCW Local 1996

“My favorite part of the conference was walking on stage with Alison Lundergan Grimes and helping not just folks in Kentucky, but everyone in the room get excited for the fall and get ready for the hard work we’re about to do.” – Caitlin Lally, UFCW Local 227

“This conference overall was motivating. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez was fantastic. He broke everything down in common sense terms and proved that he understood labor issues.

He was able to put things together so that anyone can realize the importance of labor unions and the right to organize. Everyone who attended should be able to take back something useful to their members.” – Chris Naylor, UFCW Local 1776

“My favorite part was Reverend William Barber. He really put it in perspective why we all have to be more engaged and look at the long picture. This is our opportunity to bring out a base that was not there in 2010.” – Jeff Anderson, UFCW Local 555

More photos can be viewed at http://bit.ly/LPAC2014 and additional photos will be posted in the coming days.