By:
Bruce W. Both
Veterans
Day is a time to pay tribute to the service and sacrifices of all U.S. military
veterans. But acknowledging what these amazing men and women have done for our
country is not enough. We must do more.
To
truly honor our veterans, Veterans Day must be a time to strengthen our
commitment to providing our veterans with “good jobs” with better wages and
benefits that can support a family and provide a pathway to the middle class.
The
harsh reality today is that too many workers – including too many of our
veterans in New York – are a facing serious obstacles to finding these good
jobs. Unlike their parents and grandparents who served in the military and
returned home to a time of shared prosperity, today’s veterans are returning to
a country that is grappling with a wealth gap not seen since the “Roaring
Twenties,” where good manufacturing jobs have been shipped overseas, wages are
stagnant, and the middle class is shrinking at an alarming rate. More
troubling, irresponsible companies like Walmart talk proudly about their
programs for veterans, but fail to provide wages or opportunities necessary to
build a better life.
The
simple truth is this: We can and must do better, and our union family is
committed to standing up for our veterans and their families.
In
New York, UFCW Local 1500 represents 22,500 of hard-working men and women
at Stop & Shop, Key Food, Fairway,
ShopRite, D’Agostinos, Gristedes and many of our members are veterans. Whether it is the veteran at Fairway Market or Stop & Shop, we work hard to
provide the better wages and benefits that all hard-working men and women have
earned and deserve.
Nationally,
for example, being a member of our union family provides veterans and non-veterans
27 percent more in pay than non-union workers. They are more likely to have
paid sick leave and a pension plan, which means they have more control over
their lives today and in the future. And, we stand and fight against
discrimination and unsafe workplace conditions veterans and others face that
are often ignored by non-union companies.
Despite
their dedication, experience and skills, too many of our country’s veterans are
paying the price as companies continue to cut wages, hours and benefits, and
punish those who speak out and try to better their lives. This should not be
the reality for any worker, but it especially should not be the reality for our
veterans.
So
our challenge to employers all across New
York is this: Stand up with us and do more for our veterans. Commit to
not only hiring more veterans, but provide them and all retail workers with
better wages and benefits.
The
best way to honor our veterans on this solemn day is to provide them with an
opportunity to earn a better life. That is the least our New York employers can do.
Bruce W. Both is the President of UFCW Local 1500 in Westbury, NY.
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