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    News and Updates

December 27, 2013

UFCW Calls for One-Year Extension of Unemployment Insurance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) today released the following statement calling for a one-year extension of unemployment insurance benefits, which are set to expire for 1.3 million Americans tomorrow.

“It is unconscionable that Congress went on holiday break without extending assistance for those out of work through no fault of their own. A few positive employment reports do not change the fact that millions of Americans are still without a job and struggling to make ends meet. 1.3 million Americans will lose their benefits tomorrow and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates nearly 5 million Americans will have their assistance reduced if no extension is passed. Add this to the proposed cuts to food stamps and families in need are being pushed to the brink. We call on Congress to immediately pass a one-year extension of unemployment insurance. It is the least we can do to help jobless Americans get back on their feet.”

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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.

December 17, 2013

Funds Raised for Hope for Haiti Project Helps Build New Computer Lab and Library

UFCW local unions from around the country donated funds to help the Haitian people to get back on their feet and rebuild their country after the devastating earthquake in 2010. The UFCW partnered with Hope for Haiti to rebuild the computer lab and library at St. Francois de Sales School in the neighborhood of Riviere Froide, commune of Carrefour, Port-au-Prince.

Students started classes at the St. Francois de Sales School in Port-au-Prince on Otcober 1st.

Students started classes at the St. Francois de Sales School in Port-au-Prince on Otcober 1st.

Thanks to the generous donations from UFCW local unions, the St. Francois de Sales School officially began on October 1st with the computer lab and library set to open on January 12th. Some of the materials purchased with the donations to help complete the computer lab and library include 34 computers outfitted with Microsoft Office software, along with tables, chairs, book shelves, and lockers. The school will provide education to more than 1,320 students in the kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels.

More information on the Hope for Haiti project and updates on construction progress can be found at
www.hopeforhaiti.com.

December 12, 2013

UFCW Applauds Introduction of Federal Paid Leave Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) today released the following statement in response to introduction of the FAMILY Act, a bill to create a national paid family and medical leave insurance program.

“A worker who gets sick, gives birth, or has to care for a loved one should not be forced to lose their income for an extended period of time. These are real life events that nearly every family will experience, so it makes perfect sense to provide workers with a safety net. The United States is the only developed country that does not guarantee paid sick leave for workers. Fewer than 40 percent have employer-provided paid leave they can use for their own medical needs, and just 12 percent have it to care for a family member. We must do better. This common sense legislation is modeled after two successful programs in California and New Jersey and will help ensure no one goes broke just because they get sick or need time off. We urge Congress to pass the FAMILY Act as soon as possible.”

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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.

December 12, 2013

This Holiday Season, Buy Union-Made!

RWDSU/UFCW Local 224 member

RWDSU/UFCW Local 224 member

(List originally posted at AFL-CIO Now)

Going searching for that perfect holiday gift? Make sure it’s union made in America. Check below for gifts made by the UFCW and other union members in the U.S.

Apparel and Accessories

Brooks Brothers (UNITE HERE)

Joseph Abboud (UNITE HERE)

Majestic Athletic (UNITE HERE)

Timex watches (IAM)

Red Wing Shoes (UFCW)

Beauty Products

Avon (UFCW)

Caress skin care (UFCW)

ChapStick (USW)

Dove beauty products (UFCW)

Revlon (UAW)

Games

(All made by RWDSU/UFCW)

Barrel of Monkeys

Battleship

Candy Land

Chutes and Ladders

Clue

Connect 4

Game of Life

Hi Ho Cherry-O

Monopoly

Mouse Trap

Operation

Pictionary

Risk

Scrabble

Sorry

Taboo

Twister

Yahtzee

Sports Equipment

American Athletic (Russell) (UAW)

Louisville Slugger (UAW and IBT)

MacGregor Golf clubs (Boilermakers [IBB])

Standard Golf (IAM)

Top-Flite golf balls (IBB)

Stocking Stuffers

Rayovac batteries (Teamsters and UAW)

Bic Lighters (USW)

Ghirardelli chocolates (BCTGM)

Jelly Belly (BCTGM)

Laffy Taffy (BCTGM)

Tootsie Roll Pops (BCTGM)

Wine and Beer

(Wines brought to you by UFW.)

Chateau Ste. Michelle (IBT)

Columbia Crest

St. Supery

Charles Krug

C.K. Mondavi

Gallo of Sonoma

Miller Beer (UAW & IBT)

Miller High Life

Miller Genuine Draft

Miller Lite

Milwaukee’s Best

Icehouse

Red Dog

Anheuser-Busch (IBT & IAM)

Budweiser

Budweiser American Ale

Bud Light

Michelob

Shock Top

Busch

Rolling Rock

O’Doul’s

If You’re in the ‘Big Spender’ Category (UAW)

Jeep

Ford Mustangs

Cadillacs

See more cars made by UAW.

Editor’s note: This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all made in America, union-made products. Some places to find more info on those products include but are not limited to Labor 411Union PlusAmerican Rights at Work and the BCTGM website.

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December 11, 2013

Demand Investigation of Anti-Worker Group ALEC

The American Legislative Exchange Council, commonly referred to as ALEC, has been active behind the scenes in politics for decades. It is where corporations and state politicians come together to write laws that benefit special interests. These so-called “model bills” reach into almost every area of American life. ALEC has been behind efforts to strip workers’ rights, voting rights, and civil rights.

ALEC has come under scrutiny surrounding its practices in recent years. Last week, The Guardian published several internal documents which showed ALEC has seen sharp declines in both membership and corporate funding.

One of the major controversies surrounding ALEC is their tax-exempt status. ALEC’s primary purpose is to influence legislation at the state level, yet for years it has claimed in tax returns that it does not spend a single penny on lobbying. There are now three pending citizens’ complaints against ALEC and its 501c3 tax-exempt designation. In its series, The Guardian reported that ALEC has created a separate non-profit group called the “Jeffersonian Project,” raising even more red flags.

Now is the time to get involved. Please sign the petition calling for an investigation of ALEC in light of the documents revealed by The Guardian.

An organization described by former ALEC member and current Congressman Mark Pocan as a dating service for legislators and special interests should not receive special tax treatment.

Sign the petition calling for an investigation of ALEC today.