Posts Categorized: On Point

Workers at the Big Red Liquors store on 713 West 17^th  in Bloomington, Ind., recently joined UFCW Local 700, marking the first Big Red Liquors unit to join our union.   

The workers, who stock the shelves, back fill the coolers, run registers, and clean the store, joined our union because they were concerned about insufficient working conditions, including cuts to work hours, and wanted the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract.

The organizing campaign focused on building solid relationships with the workers. UFCW Local 700 organizers consistently followed up with the workers about workplace conditions and also checked in on them personally, demonstrating that the union genuinely cared about them. The organizers also prepared workers for the company’s union-busting tactics ahead of time so they would be ready once the anti-union efforts began.

“After watching, not just our location, but all the Bloomington locations cut hours and then proceed to do better in yearly sales over the prior year, we were hoping for a positive reaction,” said Justin Fisher, who works at the Big Red Liquors store. “However, not one person received an increase for store hours, despite being told as an incentive to perform better sales than the year before would get us more help. We upheld our end of the agreement, but feel the company did not. We decided it was time to organize and get a union contract.”

“UFCW Local 700 is excited the workers at this Big Red Liquors location chose us as their union,” said UFCW Local 700 President Tracy Bartak. “We look forward to working with them to secure a first contract. No matter the industry in which you work, UFCW Local 700 is committed to fighting for better working conditions and a better life for our members.”

Over 100 members of UFCW Local 152 who work at Cape Regional Physicians Associates (CRPA) in New Jersey secured a strong new contract earlier this spring.

The three-year agreement includes across-the-board raises for all staff, as well as annual wage increases over the life of the contract. The nurses, medical assistants, receptionists, and clerical staff working at dozens of offices throughout Cape May County, N.J., will also join a new healthcare plan. This will mean significant cost savings for most employees without sacrificing the quality of care.

Additionally, contract language now clearly defines how paid time off (PTO) is used and scheduled, rewarding seniority when scheduling conflicts arise.

“Wages and healthcare are usually at the forefront of most negotiations. While we were able to secure good increases and savings to healthcare, language around PTO was the most important issue for CRPA employees.  I couldn’t be more proud of our negotiating committee who worked with our bargaining team to create meaningful changes to PTO language that gives our members the flexibility they deserve,” said Chad Brooks, UFCW Local 152 bargaining representative.