Fall 2011 Newsletter
In this issue:
» Reclaiming the American Dream
We, the everyday people are getting angry, and with good reason. And the face of these people have become the person next door – the mom with her young ones in tow, the elderly grandparents holding card board signs, the young doctor standing side-by-side with the out-of-work carpenter. We’re coming to recognize that we’re all part of the 99%.
More and more people are becoming aware of how out of whack things are in our economy. And instead of just quietly accepting it, they want things to change. They believe that maybe, just maybe, if we stand together we can reclaim the American Dream.
| Together, we can and will make the changes needed – in our workplaces, in our communities, and in our political system. That is how we will reclaim the American Dream. |
At rallies and marches and across the country, and the General Strike in Oakland, CA, thousands upon thousands of regular working class people have taken to the streets saying that we are the 99%. People are standing together and saying something is seriously wrong when the richest 1% are just getting richer while most everyone else is working harder for less.
Many working people have seen earnings drop while their taxes increase. More and more have been forced to get a second or third job to make ends meet. Meanwhile the richest 1% have seen their wealth soar and last year 100,000 families earning over $200,000 paid ZERO federal taxes. That’s right ZERO.
For the last 30 years there has been an attack on worker rights and unions in this country. Money is corrupting our democracy. Our elected officials allowed the rules to change in favor of the very richest families, corporations and banks in America. That is what created the economic mess we’re in.
We are fighting for decent wages, affordable health care, a secure retirement, quality public education, etc. Meanwhile the level of greed of corporate CEOs and banks that cry poor is going full tilt. For example the CEO of MultiCare (one of the largest employers in Pierce County and a place where nearly 2,000 UFCW 21 members work) has been paid millions and at the same time laying off workers and trying to slash benefits.
People are pushing back. There is reason to hope – we did it before. From 1930 to 1980 working people were fighting for and winning a fair share of the economic pie – and the pie was growing. We are starting to see workers standing up again in record numbers. A great example is OUR Walmart – a new organization of Walmart associates coming together to gain respect at work – that has grown to thousands of members in over 30 states including Washington.
There are three things we can do to make change real:
1. Get active in our workplaces and make sure we get to know our Steward (or become one) so when we are being bullied by a boss or need to fight for a fair contract we have the strength and knowledge we need.
2. Get active in our community so can we break down the walls that disconnect us and build bridges that will truly raise our collective power and hope.
3. Get involved in politics so the voice of workers cannot be ignored by politicians, and the media who prefer to pay attention to the need and greed of the very few.
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Check out what UFCW 21 members are saying their view of reclaiming the American Dream is and post yours as well. Click here to tell us your view. “Reclaiming the American Dream means I don’t have to choose between bills and food for my family.” Jeannette Randall, Safeway “Reclaiming the American Dream means justice not just for good pay and benefits, but to be treated with gratitude & respect as a human being rather than a number.” Linda Vodegel, Dynacare “Reclaiming the American Dream means taking back power from the huge corporations that don’t care about their workers or this country. Also being able to relax and enjoy life more on my days off rather than trying to catch up on sleep before I go back to work.” Louisa Swenson, Macy’s |
One of the most important ingredients to making change and building power for workers across the county can be said in one word: Steward. A Steward is a worker and union member who has been trained to make a difference.
As a volunteer leader in the workplace, their main focus fits into four areas:
1. Helping to win and enforce our contracts to improve our lives and rights in the workplace so we are treated with respect and fairness.
2. Meeting and greeting new coworkers and welcoming them to our union so everyone can feel a part of something bigger.
3. Taking part in work in the community and political efforts to build power more broadly for workers (union members and those who do not yet have a union). This helps us take on challenges that are beyond our workplaces and gain the support from the community to make us as strong as possible.
4. Identifying and recruiting more people to become Stewards because we need thousands more to make sure that we can get the work done and always have a Steward there when needed.
In 2011, our Steward number grew to over 1,000 for the 1st time ever. This puts us on the path to the success we need to be powerful in the workplace, at the negotiating table, in the community and in the halls of government.
If you are interested in becoming a Steward, a new 45-minute Steward training (at your worksite) has been developed to give you the basics to get active as a Steward in less than an hour. Interested? Contact your Steward or Union Rep.
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The 2011 Stewards Conference was a big hit as nearly 400 Stewards came together from across the state to share with each other, learn more skills, and become more inspired to fight to gain the respect we deserve. The theme of this year’s conference was Reclaiming the American Dream. And we heard loud and clear from those who attended that they all want to do their part so the next generation can live better.
“I had no idea that this union was so big.” “I learned all about how as union members we can have a representative with us if a manager is trying to discipline us.” “The speakers were great. I hope you can put some of this up on the website” |
“The fire it put in my heart and soul” Standing Up for Your Rights...
Wine Steward Learns Weingarten First Hand
Rhoda Williams is a wine Steward at Roxbury Safeway. While attending the Stewards Conference Rhoda learned about Weingarten (pronounced WINE GARDEN) Right, the right to have a union Representative in a disciplinary meeting. At work one day Rhoda was called into a meeting by her assistant store manager. Remembering her training, she asked him if this was a disciplinary meeting and if it was, she was requesting her union Representative be present before she answered any questions. The assistant manager kept asking her questions but Rhoda stood strong. He got upset and sent her home for being insubordinate. She was quick to contact her union Representative who contacted the store manager. The issue was quickly resolved and Rhoda was paid for the 7 hours she missed after being sent home.
Always remember, if there is a chance that you are being brought into a meeting for discipline, you have the right to request union Representation and the right not to answer any questions until that Representation arrives.
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Weingarten Rights – Your Right to Union Representation If you’re called into a meeting that you think could lead to discipline, STOP! Ask for union representation. You have a right not to be alone. Ask your Steward or Rep for the new Weingarten Card (in 5 languages) that explains your right to representation. |
A Strong Case Can Make the Difference
Della Dykstra is a Polysomnographic Tech at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. In May 2011 she was issued a Final Written Warning. Her Steward Devin Sloan, contacted the union to challenge this because he believed Della was unjustly disciplined. Over the course of two grievance meetings, Devin demonstrated to management that not only was it false that Della failed to follow a physician’s order but that her actions instead were in the best interest of the patient and the hospital. Because the case was strong and the Steward did such a compelling job, management agreed and took the unusual step of completely removing a Final Written Warning from Della’s file.
2011 Steward Award Winners
There are over 1,000 Stewards in UFCW 21. These awards highlight the wonderful work of just nine, but they also represent the great work of hundreds of others. We celebrate the work of all our Stewards who defend the rights of workers, help meet new members, build the power to win and enforce contracts, organize new not-yet-union workplaces and get active in politics and policy.
Lanette Lucas-Hoback Meat Wrapper, Town & Country, Mill Creek
Standing Up for All 21 Members Award – Lanette has helped get members to leaflet events, recruited members to become Stewards, and made sure her coworkers in the meat department and around the store have their rights protected.
Lynn Rockwell Transcriptionist, Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton
Standing Up for All 21 Members Award – No matter the fight, Lynn will stand by your side. She attended Lobby Day, sat on the Bargaining Committee at Harrison, came out to Grocery workers’ actions in Bremerton and walked the informational picket line at Doctors Clinic.
Garry Hawkins Housekeeper, Tacoma General Hospital, Tacoma
Standing Up for All 21 Members Award – Garry does all the Weingarten meetings in his department and has gained total confidence from his coworkers. He signed up most of his coworkers on a workplace petition to help in his last negotiations.
Pam Cassidy Med Tech, Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville
Enforcer Award – From big details to small details, Pam focuses on the details that matter. Pam worked with her union Rep and got back pay for over 200 current and former union members going back to August of 2006.
Lucas van de Ven Jewelry Clerk, Fred Meyer, Bellingham
Welcome Aboard Award – As a very active Steward at his Fred Meyer, Lucas helped recruit 7 new Stewards in his store, holds new member meetings and has signed up his coworkers on ABC. He even brought two coworkers to support sick leave in Seattle.
Natasha West-Baker Checker, Safeway, Seattle (Rainier)
Sick Leave Champion Award – Natasha became the lead spokesperson for the Paid Sick Days campaign. Even though she got pressure at times because she was outspoken she kept it up – speaking on TV, radio and in newspapers, with politicians and at rallies across the city.
Matt Kenyon Checker, Safeway, Maple Valley
Going the Extra Mile Award – After working for Safeway 25 years, Matt still works tirelessly to make our union strong. He was a key member of the 2010 Grocery Bargaining Team doing actions, petitions, and media events. He has also registered coworkers to vote, recruited new stewards and works with the 7 other stewards in his store.
Barbara Copley Clerk, Fred Meyer, Burlington
Organizing New Members Award – Barbara was the leader in the effort to win a union vote for her store in the Skagit Valley. She gained the trust of her coworkers and built strength to have a “go union” vote and she became an important voice on the 2010 Bargaining Team.
Tonya Bell Lab Assistant, Group Health, Seattle (Capitol Hill)
Sick Leave Champion Award – As a great supporter and advocate for paid sick leave in Seattle, Tonya attended the town hall meeting and spoke on behalf of all workers. She stepped forward to be featured in a sick leave video and also got post cards signed to the city council from coworkers and her neighbors.
A strong coalition of over 75 organizations and thousands of individual people took action to push for the passage of Seattle new Paid Sick Days law. The law, passed in September 2011, will allow workers to stay at home when sick (or when kids are sick) without the fear of losing a days’ pay or being disciplined. Read More.
Pictured,Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn signing the Paid Sick and Safe Leave ordinance into law. Also pictured Seattle City Council member Nick Licata (front row, blue shirt) who’s leadership made this historic legislation become law.
Applications will be posted on ufcw21.org by December 12.
Marriage Equality – A Worker Right
UFCW 21 took an official position in favor of Marriage Equality in October. When asked why UFCW 21 took a position on this public policy, Scott Shiflett, one of UFCW 21’s Executive Board members and a Meatcutter at Safeway was quoted in a local front page newspaper story as saying, “It was like a no-brainer. It’s a civil rights thing.”
SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!
Do NOT pay for getting your 2011 taxes done!
Call 2-1-1 and get locations for FREE tax preparation and get Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and child care tax credits back.
Keep Going Green
Over the past three years our union has continued to make strides at being more green. You have a key role to play. Providing your email address not only allows for union updates to get to you more quickly, it also cuts printing and postage costs. We have saved over 500,000 sheets of paper in the last two years.
UFCW 21 Lobby Display
A new photo installation brightens UFCW 21’s main office while honoring our hard working members in grocery, retail, health care, meat and other industry jobs.
Click photos to enlarge.
