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News and Updates
October 23, 2012
A Commander in Chief Versus a Panderer in Chief: UFCW Members Weigh In
At last night’s third and final presidential debate, Mitt Romney once again demonstrated that he is willing to say anything to get elected, and his shifting positions on domestic and foreign policy and willingness to lie and pander have raised questions about what he stands for and how he will govern.
Our country can’t afford to go back to the Bush/Cheney policies that proved disastrous here at home and abroad. President Obama is the only candidate with the vision and experience to lead our country in the right direction—forward.
Here’s what UFCW members had to say following the debate:
“i think obama won this debate….he has more foreign policy knowledge than romney….i am so glad the debates are done…the people will show their choice on november 6th. obama 2012…moving forward!”
“obama is strong! vote democrat if u care about 100% of our citizens”
“gov. romney uses a thousand words to say absolutely nothing.”
“mr obama has my respect”
“4 more years obama has my vote”
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October 22, 2012
Give your Trick-or-Treaters Union-Made Goodies This Year
This Halloween, make sure you are ready with a bowl full of union-made treats to give to the little goblins and ghosts who come to your door! See the handy list of union-made candy and goodies below, provided by Union Plus. These treats come from companies that have good jobs and that treat their employees well. The products are made by UFCW members, members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM), and the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). All union made!
| Hershey Products | Necco (New England Confectionery Company) |
| Hershey Kisses* | Sweethearts |
| Hershey Syrups | Mary Jane Peanut Butter Chews |
| Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar* | NECCO Wafers/Necco Wafer Smoothies |
| Hershey Milk with Almond Bars | Sky Bar |
| Hershey Special Dark Bars | Clark Bar |
| Hershey Nuggets | Canada Mints |
| Rolo | Candy Cupboard |
| Hershey Kissables | Thin Mints |
| Kit Kat Bars | NECCO Assorted Junior Wafers |
| Carmello Bar | Clark Junior Laydown Bag |
| Cadbury Fruit & Nut Bar | Mary Jane Laydown Bag |
| Cadbury Roast Almond Bar | Haviland |
| Cadbury Royal Dark Bar | Mallow Cups |
| Cadbury Dairy Milk Bar | Necco Peanut Butter Kisses |
| Jolly Ranchers | |
| Hershey Symphony Bar with Toffee | Ghiradelli Chocolates |
| All filled & non filled squares | |
| Just Born | non pariels |
| Peeps | Chocolate chips |
| Mike & Ike | |
| Hot Tamales | Gimbals Fine Candies |
| Peanut Chews | JellyBeans |
| Jelly Beans | Cherry Hearts |
| Scotty Dogs | |
| Jelly Belly’s Candy Company |
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| Jelly Bellies – also made in a non-union plants in Chicago/Taiwan | Nestle |
| Chocolate Dutch Mints | Nestle Treasures |
| Chocolate Temptations | Laffy Taffy |
| dimples | Kathryn Beich specialty candy |
| Goelitz Confections | Baby Ruth* |
| Goelitz Gummi | Butterfinger* |
| Pet Rat | Pearson’s Nips |
| Pet Tarantula | Famous Old Time Candies (gourmet chocolates) |
| Sweet Temptations | Nestle Crunch Butterfinger Crisp |
| Candy Corn | |
| Licorice | Pearson’s Candy Co. |
| Malted Milk Balls | Salted Nut Roll |
| Chocolate Coated Nuts, and Sours | Nut Goodie |
| Sunkist Fruit Gel Slices | Mint Patties |
| Bun Bars | |
| American Licorice | |
| Black & Red Vines | Anabelles Candy Company |
| Strawberry Ropes | Boston Baked Beans |
| Jordon Almonds | |
| Sconza Candies | Rocky Road |
| Jawbreakers | U-Nos |
| Chocolate Covered Cherries | Look |
| Chocolate | Big Hunk |
| Abba-Zaba | |
| Kraft | Yogurt Nuts & Fruit |
| snack products | |
| Keebler | |
| Frito-Lay | Chips Deluxe |
| Doritos | Pecan Sandies |
| Rold Gold | Cheez-it |
| Lays Potato Chips | Vanilla Wafers |
| Nabisco | Bachman |
| Corn Nuts | Pretzels |
| Chips Ahoy! | Jax Cheese Curls |
| Oreos | Keystone Snacks Party Mix |
| Nutter Butter | Cheese Curls |
| Vanilla Wafers | Corn Chips |
| Graham Crackers | |
| Orville Redenbacher | |
| popcorn |
October 22, 2012
Walmart and its Temp Agencies Violate Federal, Illinois Labor Law
Class action suit alleges Chicago-area temp workers weren’t paid minimum wage or provided with proper employment notices
CHICAGO—Walmart Stores Inc. and its staffing agencies broke federal minimum wage and overtime laws by requiring temporary workers to appear early for work, stay late to complete work, work through lunches and breaks and participate in trainings without compensation, a class action suit filed Monday alleges. The suit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.
Labor Ready and QPS, two of the staffing agencies Walmart uses in the Chicago area, failed to provide workers assigned to Walmart stores with information related to their employment, such as employment notices and proper wage payment notices as required by Illinois law.
Walmart itself failed to keep accurate records of workers’ time as required by federal and state law and has failed to provide workers with forms verifying hours worked. This made it impossible for workers to make claims that they were not paid by the temp agencies for all hours worked.
Walmart and its staffing agencies also failed to pay the plaintiffs and others in similar situations a minimum of four hours pay on days when they were contracted to work, but not utilized for a minimum of four hours, as required by Illinois law. This prevented the workers from seeking other work.
“I only get paid minimum wage and yet Labor Ready and Walmart still try to cheat me by not paying me for the time I actually work,” said Twanda Burk, the primary plaintiff on the lawsuit. “I’ve proven that I’m a good worker, and they just want to take advantage of that.”
The violations of state and federal law are alleged to have occurred in early 2009 and continuing up until the present time. In addition to seeking all unpaid wages for the workers, the suit calls for an injunction against Walmart and its temp agencies preventing them from future violations of state labor laws.
“There have been so many times I’ve been told to stay late after my shift to finish stocking the shelves, but I didn’t know they wouldn’t pay me for it,” said Anthony Wright, a temp worker at Labor Ready who has worked at a couple of the Walmart stores in the area since late last year.
Walmart contracts with staffing agencies for the services of hundreds of temporary laborers—many of whom earn minimum wage—in Chicago-area stores. The company has said it would hire 50,000 temporary workers to staff its stores for the upcoming holiday season.
“The practices that Walmart and its staffing agencies are engaging in are exactly why the Illinois legislature passed the Illinois Day and Temporary Services Act,” said Chris Williams, of Workers’ Law Office PC, the workers’ attorney. “Workers need critical information to make sure they don’t get cheated on their pay, as they did here. These workers are required to be paid for the time they’ve worked.”
Walmart got the green light to expand in Chicago when it committed to the Chicago city council to set starting wages at $8.75 per hour, however Walmart has failed to live up to its word to the people of Chicago.
Leone Jose Bicchieri, of the Chicago Workers’ Collaborative, who has been working to gain rights for agency temporary workers in Chicagoland for more than a decade, said, “Walmart has broken its promises in Chicago. It came into this city promising good, permanent jobs, but has reneged on this pledge. Instead of providing decent jobs with career potential and opportunities to access benefits, Walmart is outsourcing jobs to temp agencies that barely pay minimum wage with no benefits and who has broken multiple Illinois labor laws.”
Elce Redmond, the Executive Director of the South Austin Community Coalition, said, “By outsourcing these jobs, the company is taking advantage of Chicago residents in neighborhoods that had hoped Walmart would provide real employment opportunities, not the dead-end jobs that keep residents in a cycle of poverty.”
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Making Change at Walmart is a movement of community leaders, elected officials, civil rights and immigrant organizations, religious leaders, women’s organizations, Walmart associates, small business owners and members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union challenging Walmart to help rebuild the economy, starting with America’s families. (www.ChangeWalmart.org)
October 18, 2012
UFCW Members and Locals Mobilize for Working Families in 2012 Election
UFCW members have been kicking it into high gear! Across the country, members and their locals are working hard to ensure that working families’ voices are heard in this election.
Here’s a quick look at some members in action:
In Kentucky, union members and others in the community are supporting Democrat Charlie Hoffman for the 62nd House District. Up until two years ago, Hoffman had effectively represented his jurisdiction since 1997, but was edged out in the last election by newcomer Ryan Quarles. Voters who sympathize with workers rights know that bringing back Hoffman is the right choice. Having spent years as a career meat-cutter at Kroger, Hoffman knows what its like for the average American worker, and puts those values first. When he was in office, he proved to be an effective legislator, capable of working across party lines, and pressed for laws that benefited small farmers and other local workers. The incumbent Quarles however, has not passed any such laws, and has not proved himself to be an advocate of working Americans.
In Michigan, union members are from across the state are drumming up support for Proposal 2. Currently, Michigan state law requires public employees to pay 20% of their healthcare costs, a policy that highlights how the public sector has been shifting healthcare costs on to its employees. Also, collective bargaining is limited for many workers, making the ability to fight for fair wages and safe equipment, among other things, very difficult. If Proposition 2 is approved this year, it will help to protect jobs and families. UFCW members like Kristy Geldersma, an employee at Meijer have been out door knocking and phone banking to build support for this legislation that will strengthen the ability for unions to collectively bargain.
On October 9th, Obama supporters gathered for a rally in Dayton, Ohio. UFCW Local 75 and 1059 members were in attendance, along with many others, to support candidates like State House Rep. Roland Winburn. The candidates support keeping jobs in Ohio and also investing and expanding vocational and technical training in the state to keep Ohio’s workforce competitive and growing. Continuing the support after the rally, members canvassed in nearby areas. Their message was about their main goal: to not become a right to work state. They’re also reminding their friends and neighbors that President Obama is standing up for people to have a union voice on the job, while Mitt Romney does not support people having a voice at work.
October 17, 2012
In Second Presidential Debate, President Obama Goes to the Mat for American Workers
Last night’s presidential debate at Hofstra University shed more light on Mitt Romney’s evasions, contradictions and outright lies about his position on policies that affect the poor and middle class. Once again, he tried to portray himself as a man who empathizes with working families, but, as President Obama pointed out, Romney’s extreme positions on education, immigration, taxes, pay equity and health care tell a very different story.
Romney and his running mate, Representative Paul Ryan, have made it clear that they intend to make significant cuts to K-12 education, as well Pell grants and job training. They are against comprehensive immigration reform. They do not support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and and want to repeal “Obamacare” and take us back to the days where people are denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. The only groups benefiting from the Romney/Ryan plan are the wealthy few—whose taxes would be cut even further — and corporations, which would receive tax breaks for shipping good middle class jobs overseas.
Romney couldn’t make up his mind about jobs during this debate, covering just about every position throughout the two hour and a half hour broadcast:
- “I’m going to make sure you get a job. Thanks Jeremy. Yeah, you bet.”
- “As president, I will create 12 million new jobs.”
- “The government doesn’t create jobs.”
Talk about flip-flopping. Meanwhile, President Obama spoke eloquently about his vision for bring not just any jobs, but good paying jobs back to America.
We can’t afford to go back to the same old trickle down policies that got us into this economic mess in the first place. This debate made it clear that President Obama is committed to making life better for working families and our most vulnerable citizens.
October 16, 2012
Carharrt Releases “Made in America Line” and Continues its Dedication to the American Worker
The rugged apparel brand Carharrt has newly released a “Made in America Line”. This exciting news is part of a national movement to bring manufacturing, especially textiles, back to the USA. Currently, less than 2% of the clothing available for purchase in our country is actually made here.
A video released by Carharrt talks about the new line of products made in America, in which all all items are designed in Michigan and produced in their Tennessee and Kentucky plants, but also highlights the fact that, in the 123 years since Carharrt began, they have never stopped manufacturing here. Employees in the video note that one of the company’s mottos is “for the American worker” which it exemplifies by providing good jobs, including over 900 jobs to UFCW members. The overall idea expressed in the short film is that America was not made by men in suits behind a desk, but workers getting down and dirty to build our country.
Watch the video below or by clicking here.
October 11, 2012
Everyday Working Americans are Solution to Disconnect Between Politicians and Middle Class
One of the common complaints surrounding this year’s Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, is his vast wealth and the disconnect it creates between him and every day Americans who struggle to make ends meet. Although Romney is ridiculously wealthy, and has come to symbolize the skyrocketing economic inequality in our country, extreme wealth is certainly not a new phenomenon when it comes to elected officials. Many members of Congress share in this excessive wealth, and simply don’t understand the experiences of average Americans.
It may seem like this is a trend that has become the norm, but there are ways to solve this dilemma. In a report by American Rights at Work, data shows that unions everywhere are now encouraging members to run for elected offices. This means that everyday people, like food service workers, health workers, firefighters and police are now getting involved with politics on the local, state, and sometimes federal levels. Recently, UFCW member and former Fry’s Food Pharmacy Tech Jonathan Larkin became an Arizona State Representative-Elect, and plans to enact policies that will benefit workers in our country.
The report also shows that when members of Congress held jobs like nurse, teacher, and police officer before entering office, they were more likely to take pro-worker positions such as protecting Social Security, enacting stronger workplace safety and discrimination protections, and reforming the financial industry.
A case study from the report cites Maggie Carlton, a member of the Culinary Workers Union, as an example: Carlton is a 14-year Culinary Workers member who worked as a waitress at the Treasure Island casino while successfully running for and then serving in public office. Her shop floor experiences as a union member influenced her path to political candidacy. While waitressing in the casino’s coffee shop, Carlton served as a bargaining team member, shop steward, and volunteer on the union’s organizing and political campaigns. She participated in negotiations for three collective bargaining agreements, sitting across the table from the country’s top gaming executives.
When elected to office, these are the types of officials who are more likely to support workers’ rights and promote programs and legislation that will benefit the middle class, because they have lived the lives of average Americans! To see more data and case studies of workers running for office and working for the rights of the middle class, read the ARAW report here.
October 5, 2012
Hot off the presses: it’s the new Picketman video!
Mr. Picketman, everyone’s favorite labor rapper, has an important message for his fellow UFCW members: We can’t afford to let Romney win in 2012. Get out and vote!
For those of you who don’t know Phil Meza, a.k.a. “Mr. Picketman,” the UFCW Local 1428 member got his nickname during a rally one day, after he scrawled out a song on the back of his picket sign – a song he would soon lead the crowd in singing. Music has been a lifetime hobby for Picketman, but, throughout his 20 years as a union member and Albertson’s employee in Southern California (where he served as a department manager for years, and then as a front end service supervisor) he’s developed ideas for songs that he could use to help further the fight to protect working families.
Check out the latest Picketman video here:
Paid for by United Food and Commercial Workers Active Ballot Club Education Fund
1775 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
October 4, 2012
America’s Retail Union Stands with Striking Walmart Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s retail union, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), stands in strong solidarity with Walmart workers in Southern California who have gone on strike.
Thousands of Walmart associates across the country have joined together in OUR Walmart, a worker-led organization that stands up to make change in their company. For more than a year now, associates have been working together for a company that pays a living wage, provides affordable health care, is a contributing member of communities and treats their associates with respect. Instead of listening and working with OUR Walmart members, Walmart has retaliated against workers and tried to silence them.
On Thursday, October 4, these workers responded to Walmart’s refusal to treat its employees with fairness by going on strike at several Los Angeles-area stores. The strike is a protest of Walmart’s attempts to silence and retaliate against associates who speak out.
Today’s actions by Walmart associates are part of a growing movement of Walmart workers who are standing together and taking action. Workers at Walmart-controlled warehouse and distribution centers in California and Illinois struck their employers over the last two weeks to demand an end to retaliation for speaking out for real change at work.
“The more than a million members of the UFCW across America know the need for real change at Walmart,” said Joe Hansen, International President of the UFCW. “We’re incredibly proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these courageous associates who are taking action to demand that Walmart workers can, and should, be able to speak out for real change without fear of retaliation.”
To join with UFCW members and supporters from across the country and stand up for the rights of Walmart workers, click here or sign the petition of support below.
“Making a change for the better at America’s largest retailer can improve America’s middle class, America’s economy and America’s most common job,” said Hansen. “These brave workers have lit a fire for justice at Walmart that will be hard to extinguish.”
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The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org, or join our online community at www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational and www.twitter.com/ufcw.
October 4, 2012
Political Roundup: Great news in PA, the starts of debate season, and voting begins in OH
Good News for Voters in Pennsylvania
This week’s decision by a Pennsylvania judge to halt the state’s new voter identification law, ordering that it not be enforced for the presidential election, is a step in the right direction. Voter ID laws target those who are least likely to have photo IDs or to be able to afford any, and make it harder for people—including minorities, seniors and low-income voters—to exercise their right to vote.
With the election just five weeks away, the ruling by Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson means that voters in Pennsylvania will not be required to show photo ID at the polls on Election Day—making it easier for all eligible Pennsylvanians to participate in this important election.
Pennsylvania is a swing state with 20 electoral votes up for grabs. According to recent surveys compiled by RealClearPolitics, President Obama is leading in statewide opinion polls by an average of 8 points.
Mitt Romney: A Man of the People?
After dismissing half of the American people as “victims” at a private fundraiser in May, it’s amazing that Romney would try to hoodwink middle class and low- income voters into thinking that he cares about them. In last night’s debate, Romney tried to portray himself as a man of the people and said that he would not raise taxes on middle-class families or reduce the share of taxes paid by the wealthiest Americans.
Don’t be fooled. Romney and his and his running mate, Representative Paul Ryan, have made it clear that they are planning to pay for more tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of America’s workers and the poor. They want to make significant cuts to programs that serve the poor and middle class—including cuts to K-12 education, job training and grants which help kids go to college, replacing Medicare with a voucher system that would increase health care costs for seniors, and gutting Medicaid for the working poor.
The only groups benefiting from the Romney/Ryan plan would be the wealthiest Americans—whose tax cuts would be permanent if Romney and Ryan have their way—and corporations, which would receive tax breaks even as they continue to ship good middle class jobs overseas.
With the election only five weeks away, America’s workers face a stark choice between an opportunist who favors the wealthy one percent at the expense of the young, the elderly, the sick and the poor, and a leader who has given a voice to those who are too often overlooked and is fighting to create jobs and prosperity for all Americans.
Voting in Ohio is underway!
Early voting has begun in the swingiest of swing states – good old Ohio. After a bumpy ramp up to early voting, involving some bizarre actions on the part of Ohio Secretary of State John Husted, things appear to be running smoothly. So far, early voting numbers are high compared with four years ago. Seems like the people of Ohio are ready to get their vote on! If you’re looking for more information on early voting in Ohio, click here. And if you’re not in Ohio, don’t despair! Early voting will continue to spread around the country over the coming weeks. More specifically: California Oct. 7; Indiana Oct. 9; Arizona Oct. 11; Georgia Oct. 15; Kansas Oct. 17; Tennessee Oct. 17; North Carolina Oct. 18; Nevada Oct. 20; New Mexico Oct. 20; Alaska Oct. 22; North Dakota Oct. 22; Arkansas Oct. 22; Colorado Oct. 22; D.C. Oct. 22; Illinois Oct. 22; Texas Oct. 22; Wisconsin Oct.22; Hawaii Oct. 23; Louisiana Oct. 23; Utah Oct. 23; West Virginia Oct. 24; Florida Oct. 27; Maryland Oct. 27; Oklahoma Nov. 2