Former President Frank Meehan

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our much-loved former President, Frank Meehan, who passed away today, March 31, 2015. Frank lived a life of open-hearted generosity, and care for all who met him. He touched the lives of thousands of working men and women through his spirit, generosity and loving demeanor.

 

Frank encompassed every trait of what it takes to be a great leader.  He had a way of speaking to you which made you feel, to put it simply, that he cared.  It's because he did.  Frank cared for all who met him; whether it be an hour, day or years, Frank's warm way of living and care for people stood out.  Frank Meehan was a great man, leader and friend.  He will always have a special place in the lives of all UFCW Local 1500 members and he will be truly missed.

Thank You for Donating Blood

On behalf of UFCW Local 1500, I'd like to thank all of you who attended and donated blood last week at our Emergency Blood Drive.

With your help nearly 300 in-need patients throughout New York will receive blood.

I'm so thankful to all of you for your help and support. Together we've made a positive difference in our community.

I look forward to seeing you in July at our annual BBQ and Blood Drive!

Thank you again,


Tony Speelman
Secretary-Treasurer
UFCW Local 1500

Fairway Members 'Riled Up' at General Membership Meeting

 

 

Last week Fairway Market members packed the UFCW Local 1500 Union Hall for their quarterly General Membership Meeting, displaying fierce union solidarity.  "The energy was apparent," said Assistant to the President Rob Newell, "Fairway members are ready, prepared and taking negotiations very seriously, it's apparent after nights like these." 

Show your solidarity in your store by tweeting us pictures with your buttons or UFCW gear @ufcw1500 or on Facebook.com/ufcw1500.

 

Miembros de Fairway exaltados en la Reunión General de UFCW Local 1500

 

Esta semana los miembros de Fairway Market abarrotaron el salón sindical de UFCW Local 1500 con motivo de su Reunión General de Miembros trimestral, demostrando una fuerte solidaridad con el sindicato. “La energía era evidente”, dijo Rob Newell, Asistente del Presidente, “los miembros de Fairway están listos, preparados y están tomando las negociaciones con mucha seriedad, es evidente después de noches como estas.

 

Demuestre su solidaridad en su tienda enviándonos fotos a través de Twitter con sus botones o ropa de UFCW en @ufcw1500 o en Facebook.com/ufcw1500.

Fairway Market Contract Update

Fairway Contract Update Español

En Español A Fair Way...March 18th Update On Friday, March 6th and Monday, March 9th, our Fairway union negotiating committee met with company officials to continue contract negotiations.    Fairway's new CEO Jack Murphy was present at the first negotiating session.  The committee has been strong, and determined to air all concerns for Fairway members. Due to their strength and your support, progress is being made. As we highlighted in our quarterly newsletter, these negotiations are crucial.  They will set the tone for our future collective bargaining agreements with the new management at Fairway Market. Thank you for the support and solidarity and wearing your buttons with union pride! It truly makes a difference. The next scheduled negotiating session is March 27th.. Español Marzo de 2015 Actualización sobre los contratos con Fairway Una manera justa... Actualización del 18 de marzo El viernes 6 de marzo y el lunes 9 de marzo, nuestro comité de negociación sindical de Fairway se reunió con directivos de la compañía para continuar las negociaciones contractuales. Jack Murphy, el nuevo Director Ejecutivo de Fairway, estuvo presente en la primera ronda de negociaciones. El comité ha sido fuerte y ha decidido ventilar todas las inquietudes de los miembros de Fairway. Gracias a su fuerza y a su apoyo, se están logrando avances. Como lo hemos destacado en nuestro boletín trimestral, estas negociaciones son cruciales. Marcarán la pauta para nuestros futuros convenios de negociación colectiva con la nueva dirección de Fairway Market. ¡Gracias por el apoyo y la solidaridad y por usar con orgullo los botones del sindicato! Realmente marca la diferencia. Las próxima reunion de negociación esta programada para el 27 de marzo. Para consultar todas las noticias archivadas, por favor visite nuestro blog.

Top 10 Stories Last Week:

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Wall Street's Yearly Bonuses Could Literally Double Pay for All Minimum Wage Workers

New York State Comptroller’s office released its annual report on the bonuses paid to an estimated 167,800 employees of Wall Street banks. Just to be clear (maybe you should sit down, away from sharp objects), this is the amount of money paid to Wall Street bank employees in addition to already lucrative salaries: The report estimates the average base salary in the securities industry for 2013 was $190,970.

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WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK 1. NY Assembly Democrats seek $15 min wage in NYC, Westchester 2. Fresh Direct to be Sued for Punishing Employees During Massive Snow Storm Remember that wonderful snow storm we had a few months ago? Remember when a State of Emergency was declared? Well, Fresh Direct didn't really care, they're now being sued by UFCW Local 2013 who reps the workers.

3. Target is Refusing to Raise its Minimum Wage, Some People Aren't Happy

4. Fairway Market's new 'BIG' Campaign Checkout the new PR campaign from Fairway Market.

5. Scott Walker Signed In Right to Work Laws in Wisconsin, Here's Why they Won't Deliver Good Paying Jobs. Related: Unions plan to file suit against Right to Work Law in Wisconsin Right to work: Anti-Union Bills Multiply Last Week's Update: Walker Attacks Private Sector Workers

6. Look at all these countries battling inequality better than the United States Wait...What?

7. Fresh Market is looking for a new CEO The North Carolina chain's nationwide expansion has had some issues.

8. Mayor de Blasio Quietly Raising Funds for future Policy Battles

9. Dollar General: Focus on Raising Labor Standards Is this a growing trend in the retail world?  Now discount stores are joining in.

10. President Obama Read Mean Tweets About Himself on Jimmy Kimmel Last Night

11. Good Read: Retailers Suddenly Desperate to Keep 'Least Valuable' Employees 12. UFCW 1500 March Newsletter, Now Online Read the latest edition of the Register, featuring stories on Fairway negotiations, Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiations, and much more from your union, UFCW Local 1500. Elsewhere & Out There: 32BJ reached a deal in the Bronx this week. The DOL recovered $13k for Syracuse Bus Drivers American and British Aid Workers Infected with Ebola in Sierra Leone Feel Good: Robert Downey Jr. gave a bionic arm to a 7 year old with one arm Wisdom: Before I Go: A neurosurgeon's ideas on time and life. Triangle Factory Fire 104th Commemoration: Wednesday, March 25, 11:30AM: Save the date. Thank You: It's often a thankless job, so we'd like to say, thank you. And thank you for being a subscriber.

Shameless Plugs: Union Blood Drive is coming up on March 24th.  If you're interested in donating let us know! Union Plus Benefits: You're eligible for discounts on cell phone bills, mortgages, gyms and more! Find out here.

 

UFCW President Perrone Statement on Adoption of Right to Work in Wisconsin

For Immediate Release: March 9, 2015
Contact Tim Schlittner, 202-262-3570, tschlittner@ufcw.org

http://www.ufcw.org/2015/03/09/ufcw-president-perrone-statement-on-adoption-of-right-to-work-in-wisconsin/

UFCW President Perrone Statement on Adoption of Right to Work in Wisconsin
“By standing against hard-working families, Governor Walker should be ashamed, but we know he is not.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Marc Perrone, International President of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement in response to the adoption of right to work in Wisconsin.

“Every elected leader has a sacred responsibility to stand up for America’s hard-working families and to help them achieve a better life. Higher wages, better benefits, equal pay for equal work, protection from discrimination and exploitation; those are the rights that unions offer and which we fight for every single day. These are the true rights that Governor Scott Walker wants to take away from the union men and women who work hard, sacrifice, and help make Wisconsin and America a better place.

The truth is by standing against hard-working families, Governor Scott Walker should be ashamed, but we know he is not. He has chosen to pursue a radical agenda that willingly ignores that this law will devastate countless workers and their families. Make no mistake, this law gives irresponsible corporations, let alone politicians, the right to exploit and mistreat countless men and women all across Wisconsin.

Let me be clear, this fight is not over. We will stand up and fight for the right to protect our hard-working union family and the rights of countless families in Wisconsin and all across America who earn and deserve a better life.”

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Key Facts: Value of Union Membership for Hard-Working Men and Women

Union workers vs non-union workers earn higher wages, receive better benefits, and have more job security than non-union workers. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Union Members – 2014”, January 2015, Table 2. Available at: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.nr0.htm
Women are more likely to get equal pay for equal work by being a union member. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Union Members – 2014”, January 2015, Table 2. Available at: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.nr0.htm

LGBT workers are less likely to be fired based on their sexual orientation or gender identity as a union member.  Source: Frank, Miriam. “Out in the Union: A Labor History of Queer America”, Temple University Press, 2014.
Immigrant workers have far more protections as a union member. Source: Center for Economic and Policy Research “Unions and Upward Mobility for Immigrant Workers” Available at: http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/unions-immigrants-2010-03.pdf

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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.

What's News This Week: Arrests, Car Wash, Target Job Cuts

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Elected Officials, UFCW International President Arrested at Brooklyn Car Wash Solidarity Rally

 

In a show of solidarity for striking workers, two Brooklyn councilmen along with RWDSU President and UFCW President were arrested for blocking traffic in an act of civil disobedience.  The car wash workers are victims of wage theft.  Last November, the owner of Vegas Auto Spa in Park Slope alleged he stole more than $600,000 from workers.  Workers recently voted to join the RWDSU.

 

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WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK   1. Kroger's Market Share Grows in 18 Areas   Kroger Co. is giving Walmart a run for its money. In fiscal 2014 Kroger gained market share in 18 of 20 markets tracked by Nielsen, and Walmart is a major player in 15 of those markets, Kroger said in a conference call with analysts on Thursday.    Related:  Kroger Beats Wall Street Expectations, Shares Rise   Lower fuel prices, better-than-expected inventory charges and a solid core operating result all boosted Q4 earnings to $1.04 a share.     2. Ahold to Lay Off 120 in Central Offices   As part of an internal restructuring effort, Ahold announced its eliminating jobs in Carlisle, Pa., and Quincy, Mass.   Related: Stop & Shop Asks for Feedback on Store Brands   Joe Kelley, Out as President of Stop & Shop's New England Division

3. U.S. Adds 295k Jobs in February- Jobless Rate Falls to 5.5%   Related: Two charts show why the job market is still hurting.

4. City Reaches Deal with Building Trades   The de Blasio administration reached a project labor agreement with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater NY, covering $3.5 billion of work and repairs at the NYC Housing Authority over the next three years.

5. NY Papa John's Franchisee to Pay $2M for Wage Theft   The owner of five Harlem Papa John's Pizza franchises underpaid his delivery workers by millions of dollars, according to a criminal suit filed by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

6. Wisconsin, Round Two: Walker Attacks Private Sector Workers   The Presidential candidate is making his rounds attacking workers.  What happens nationally if he does get elected?

7. Fresh Market will exit California by 3/31   The North Carolina chains troubled expansion will close its California stores by the end of the month.

8. Target Plans to Eliminate 'Several Thousand' Jobs   More @ SN News   Related: Target turns to Hispanic Shoppers for Salvation

9. Whole Foods: Positioned for Success -  Analysts   Analysts are high on Whole Foods for the next few years.

10. Organics are taking off at Costco   Evolving with the times, Costco is increasing its organic offerings.

11. 395 Voting Restrictions Have Been Introduced in 49 States since 2011   Clearly voting rights are under attack.   Related: Very interesting read and plan: How Oregon Hopes to Register Every Eligible Voter     12. UFCW 1500 March Newsletter, Now Online   Read the latest edition of the Register, featuring stories on Fairway negotiations, Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiations, and much more from your union, UFCW Local 1500.   Related: UFCW General Membership Meeting: March 11th     13. Thousands of Grad Students at Columbia, Brown, Yale, Seek to Form a Union   “I’m Anna. I’m in the history department. I want a union because I want to be able to do this work I love and have a safety net.”   14. NYT Editorial of the Week: Walmart's Visible Hand     Elsewhere & Out There:   Self-Driving cars will be in 30 U.S. cities by end of 2016   Editorial: Charter Schools Do Not Equal Education Reform   Coalition of Immokalee Workers Take Aim at Wendy's   Federal Regulators Link Workers Comp Failures to Income Inequality   Thank You: It's often a thankless job, so we'd like to say, thank you. And thank you for being a subscriber.

 

Shameless Plugs:

 

Union Blood Drive is coming up on March 24th.  If you're interested in donating let us know!

 

Union Plus Benefits: You're eligible for discounts on cell phone bills, mortgages, gyms and more! Find out here.

 

 

March Event Calendar

General Membership Meeting: March 11th

7 pm @ UFCW Local 1500 Union Hall
425 Merrick Ave. Westbury NY

Attend your quarterly General Membership Meeting to get informed and updated on contract negotations, your rights at work, and meet and speak with your Union Executives and Representatives.





Emergency Blood Drive: March 24th

This brutal winter has been especially difficult for blood centers across the northeast.  That's why the NY Blood Center has asked us to host an Emergency Blood Drive on March 24th from 2-8 pm at our Union Hall.

Please RSVP today to reserve your time-slot.  Time-slots are scheduled every 15 minutes from 2-8 pm (you may also call 800-522-0456 ext. 1305 for an appointment).

In addition to lunch and refreshments for all donors,  we're also raffling off 10 pairs of New York Mets tickets.  Each donor will be entered into the raffle for free!  Please RSVP now and share the event to your friends on Facebook so we can help our community once again.
 


Read the March Newsletter

Stay updated and checkout our latest newsletter. 

Stories on:

King Kullen negotiations

New UFCW International Presiden Marc Perrone

Huge Win for Pathmark Members in Staten Island

Stop & Shop negotiations

Member Profile on Barbara Balos

Fairway negotiations

And much more!

Download it today!

Stay updated through our social networks and on our website ufcw1500.org.   If you'd like to be on our Contract Update list, please sign up here.

Thank you and in Solidarity,