Stamp Out Hunger-

We're proud to be partnering with the National Association of  Letter Carriers this year for their annual Stamp Out Hunger campaign!

We're collecting donations of canned goods to help local food banks.

On May 14th, fill your bag on your door with non-perishable food. We'll also have donation bins throughout our stores and in our Union Office, so feel free to stop by with your donation any time!

Related articles

• Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive: Donate Your Non-Perishable Food Items (Saturday, May 14th)

UFCW Local 919 Ratifies Contract

Local 919 just ratified a contract with Stop & Shop! Check out this video of the reaction of  Stop & Shop workers after the ratification.

Contract Extension Signed with Wild by Nature

Local 1500 has signed a contract extension with Wild by Nature. The contract was set to expire on May 7, 2016.

"There are many open issues still on the table," UFCW Local 1500 Secretary-Treasurer Tony Speelman said, "One of the biggest hurdles has been New York State's minimum wage increase."

The next contract negotiation session is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 2016.

Pick Quick Key Food Customer Alert

New York's Largest Grocery Workers Union Urges Senator Bernie Sanders to End Presidential Bid

Anthony Speelman, Secretary-Treasurer of New York's largest grocery workers union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, released the following statement after Secretary Hillary Clinton's New York Primary Victory:

"Congratulations to Secretary Clinton on her primary victory in New York. Secretary Clinton has a tremendous history of fighting for hard working New Yorkers. Our members know her values and we were excited to help campaign for her over the past few weeks. Whether it was knocking on doors or making calls, we are proud to support a candidate that will unite our country. She is clearly the most qualified candidate for President.

"Senator Bernie Sanders has run a tremendous campaign, bringing many issues facing working men and women in our country to national attention. He has inspired and engaged many amazing people throughout our country. However, now is the time for him to end his Presidential campaign.

"I urge Senator Sanders to end his bid for President of United States of America and to unite the Democratic Party. By doing so, our voices will become even stronger to fight for a better middle class, and to make sure hard working men and women aren't left behind. It is only a unified voice that can crumble the campaigns of hate and division run by the Republican Party."

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United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 is New York's largest grocery workers union, representing over 20,000 men and women throughout New York. Join us at ufcw1500.org and follow us @ufcw1500.

It's NY Presidential Primary Day

Today is New York’s Presidential Primary Election. To vote in this election, you must be a registered Republican or Democrat.

In addition, there will be Special Elections held for State Senate District 9 (Part of Nassau County) and Assembly Districts 59 (Part of Kings County), 62 (Part of Richmond County) and 65 (Part of New York County). To vote in these special elections, you must be a registered voter within one of the above districts.

POLLING HOURS: In New York City and the counties of Erie, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Orange, Rockland and Putnam, POLLS OPEN at 6 AM and CLOSE at 9 PM. In all other counties POLLS OPEN at 12 NOON and CLOSE at 9 PM.

Find your Polling Place here: http://pollingplaces.democrats.org/?link_id=1&can_id=000b055b2f0f060099e1d6181a9cdd52&source=email-primary-election-day-2016&email_referrer=primary-election-day-2016&email_subject=primary-election-day-2016

Verizon Workers are on Strike...Need Your Support

This morning at 6 AM, 39,000 men and women working at Verizon went on strike for good jobs and a fair contract! They have hit a breaking pointl after 10 months of contract negotiations.

Over the last three years these workers have helped the company earn $39 billion in profits. Yet Verizon wants to freeze pensions, gut job security and send their U.S. positions overseas.

We are standing with our brothers and sisters from CWA & IBEW.
What you can do:

1. You can help by signing the petition at http://bit.ly/1oXma6l 
2. Join a picket line or rally near you at standuptoverizon.com
3. Share this information, the petition and rally/picket locations on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and take action to stand in solidarity with CWA District 1 and IBEW sisters and brothers as they Stand Up to Verizon!
4. Use hashtag: ‪#‎Standup2VZ‬

Leukemia Lymphoma Society Thanks UFCW in USA Today

The Leukemia Lymphoma Society took an ad to thank the UFCW for their tremendous work in the USA Today this week.

Last year we helped the LLS break fundraising records, and broke records for our Local fundraising for Light the Night.  But the 2016 Light the Night Walk is standing out to be even bigger. Our Secretary-Treasurer, Tony Speelman will be the corporate chair of the 2016 Light the Night Walk at Eisenhower Park!
Tony will bring his devout passion to helping New York communities to the fight against blood cancer.

This entire year we're hosting a ton of events to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, but you can help individually.  It's easy, join our Light the Night team here and start fundraising online or at your store.   Or you can donate to our team, UFCW Cancer Kickers, right here.

Here's the ad the LLS put out to thank our union for the amazing work!

New York UFCW GOTV for Hillary Clinton

Sat. April 16th: GOTV for Hillary, Locations Throughout New York State

Primary day in New York is approaching fast! April 19th is only a few weeks away and the UFCW is gearing up to help Hillary Clinton over the next two weeks. 

On April 16th we'll be hitting the streets in UFCW gold to canvas and phone bank for the Hillary campaign. There are many volunteer GOTV locations throughout our entire jurisdiction. If you're interested in helping out, please contact your Union Representative and he/she will give you details on the event.

For specific questions, please contact Brendan Sexton.

UFCW Lobby Day in Albany

 

Our annual Lobby Day will be held on May 17, 2016. We'll be charting a bus to Albany, NY and providing UFCW gear/food for all attendees. Here are the bus pick up locations:

Bus Pick Up Locations:

1.  6:30 AM: UFCW 1500 Office: 425  Merrick Road Westbury
2.  7:15 AM: Stop & Shop 2592: 2136 Bartow Ave Bronx

Register by filling out the form here & join hundreds of UFCW members to travel to Albany, N.Y. to hold our elected officials accountable!

For more info/questions contact Brendan Sexton: bsexton@ufcw1500.org 516-214-1362

Stop & Shop Unity Bargaining Effort Expands to 12 UFCW Locals

Last week, International President Marc Perrone called a meeting
with the UFCW locals who represent the thousands of our union brothers and sisters employed by Ahold. Leadership from a dozen local unions met in Little Falls, N.J., to discuss the collective interests of 75,000 Stop & Shop, Giant, Martin’s and Peapod members.

The local presidents worked together with President Perrone, Region 1 Director Tom Clarke, Region 2 Director Al Vincent, and International Executive Vice President and Director of Collective Bargaining Kevin Williamson to strategize and develop a bargaining plan that will keep 12 locals unified in the mission of securing a better future for the hard-working men and women who make Ahold successful.

You can read the full update here:

Stop & Shop Unity Bargaining Effort Expands to 12 UFCW Locals

Honoring Former President Frank Meehan, One Year Later

It's been one year since our former President Frank Meehan lost his battle with Leukemia, but his tremendous spirit of giving back to others still lives on at our union. Frank simply put others first, whether it was a union-member or a person in need, he made sure they were the priority. Through his leadership, his spirit of charity and generosity has been passed down to all of us.

This year our Secretary-Treasurer Tony Speelman will be chairing the Long Island Light the Night Walk at Eisenhower Park on Saturday, October 15, 2016. Our fundraising, charity and volunteer programs are all tremendous successes today due to the great work former President Frank Meehan accomplished. It was Frank who was one of the initial leaders to encourage the entire UFCW to start raising funds to battle Leukemia. He's pictured below at a Leukemia walk during the 1990's at Shea Stadium.

Frank touched so many lives through his wonderful spirit, it's our way of saying thanks by continuing what he started. We invite and encourage you to join us today, to make a difference in the lives of others battling cancer, or in honor of someone you know affected by cancer. Join our team by clicking here, and let's take steps to end cancer for good.

We miss you, Frank.

Frank Meehan (far left) led the UFCW to start raising funds to battle Leukemia

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on Big Victories for Working People - Minimum Wage, Paid Family Leave

Albany, NY - I am proud of the unified efforts of the 2.5 million members and 3,000 local unions of the New York State AFL-CIO to improve the economic and social well-being of working men and women throughout our state. The Labor Movement has been united and fought tirelessly to raise the minimum wage and implement Paid Family Leave - both critically important issues to working people.

Three million working people in New York State will see their wages go up due to the $15  per hour minimum wage making New York the first state in the country to reach that  landmark.

Raising the minimum wage is long overdue and is a step in the right direction toward addressing poverty and income inequality. This meaningful wage will allow hard-working men and  women the opportunity to better support themselves and their families, and enjoy a standard of living and quality of life they can be proud of.

New York State is also leading the way on Paid Family Leave. This ground-breaking benefit will have a positive impact on working people by allowing them to put their families first during times of need. Whether it is to bond with a newborn or the opportunity to care for an ill or dying family member, working men and women will no longer be forced to choose between being with loved ones during life-changing moments, and the ability to make ends meet.

I want to thank Governor Cuomo, Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Flanagan and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Klein for listening to the working men and women of this state and understanding how the aforementioned legislation will positively impact the lives of all New Yorkers.  Their leadership and actions will set an example for the nation.

Executive Council Member President Both Receives Victory Notice