President Speelman Receives Labor Press Leadership Award

Last night Local 1500 President Tony Speelman was among six honorees for the annual Labor Press Leadership Awards. Speelman was introduced and presented an award by UFCW International President Marc Perrone.

Speelman's remarks are below.

Thank you- Today, in such a divided nation unsure of its future - communication is more important than it has ever been.

Organizations like Labor Press are vital, and I mean vital to the millions of hardworking men and women throughout our state and country.

If we can’t rely on the mainstream media to properly cover an election without putting profits before effective journalism, how can we expect the media to cover stories that affect the true backbone of our country, America’s workers?

We can’t.

Our stories, the amazing stories of the hardworking men and women we are all so privileged in this room to represent, are rarely heard by people outside the audiences in rooms like these. They are given far below the attention they deserve.

Issues of fair pay – trade – health care – job security – building infrastructure the right way, with union jobs – affordable college education – raising our wages - pension reform - these are real issues we all face each day that are rarely sprinkled throughout news cycles covering scandals and outrageous quotes from elected officials.

That’s why what Neal and his team at Labor Press do each day is so important. That’s why I’m so honored to receive this award. The one thing we all take away from the election is the power of the media. The power of message – The more of our stories that are out there, the more people will hear the realities of what workers are going through and why we need ACTION from our elected officials, not just their rhetoric.

This is how we win. This is how we build a better country, community and movement for working people. Thank you very much for this honor and lets get to work.

We are Thankful.

Your tireless work this week has helped thousands of New Yorkers enjoy Thanksgiving with their families.

From the entire staff at UFCW Local 1500, thank you. 

We wish you a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Check out our new Thanksgiving video highlighting what we're thankful for:
 

 

https://youtu.be/fL8unJ1RQ4E

Veterans Day

For the better part of a year the presidential election has split our nation in half. Though there is one thing we can all agree on: we are truly indebted to the service and sacrifices of all U.S. military veterans.

Our veterans are our sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles, mothers and fathers and cousins. They are our coworkers and our neighbors. They are all races, ethnicity's and come from all backgrounds. They are what makes this country so great.

As union-members, we have a responsibility to stand up for our co-workers, fight for our families and our communities. Many of our veterans are facing serious problems and I want to make it clear that our union family is committed to standing up for our veterans and their families.
 Acknowledging what these amazing men and women have done for our country is not enough. We must do more. In our upcoming contract negotiations our Union team will make a point to bargain for more benefits for the brave men and women who have proudly served our country.

The best way to honor our veterans on this day is to provide them with an opportunity to earn a better life. That is the least our employers can do.

Thank You, Vets

Statement on President-Elect Donald Trump.

The reality of having an anti-union, billionaire reality-star like Donald Trump elected president of the United States is sinking in. Our daily work and struggle to protect hard working families, jobs, rights and our communities will be an even greater task tomorrow then it is today.

We are eager to hold President-Elect Trump accountable on his promises to help build a better working class and support America's workers.

Get Out the VOTE

 

Election day is fast approaching.  Do you plan on voting? If you do, try to make a schedule and make sure you know where to vote tomorrow! Once in a while polling places change with little notification, so please double check your polling place and have a hassle free Election Day.

Don't take your right to vote for granted, make your voice heard on November 8th and feel free to share these graphics on social media to encourage your friends to vote!

Hiring: Entry Level Field Staff

We're excited to announce have filled our office staff positions and would like to thank all applicants. W

e still have opportunities to work with Local 1500. We are accepting applications for entry level Field Staff positions with Local 1500.

E-mail cover letter and resume with subject line of the job which you are applying for  to jobs@ufcw1500.org. More details are below:

—JOB POSTING —

Job title: Field Staff
Position location: New York Metropolitan Area
Start date: 12/5/16

Summary:

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 is the largest grocery retail union in New York with over 20,000 members working in grocery stores, pharmacies, and other industry jobs. We are a committed to building a powerful union that fights for economic, political, and social justice in our workplaces and communities.

We are seeking a self-motivated, skilled and enthusiastic person to assist our Union Representatives team.

Principal duties and requirements:
 

• Bilingual speaking (Spanish) is preferred.
• Must be flexible and willing to work long hours, early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Evenings and weekends are required
• Must have a reliable insured car and valid driver's license.
• Build one-on-one relationships with workers.
• Lead, motivate and mobilize worksite leaders, stewards and members in internal and external organizing, politics, community alliance building and other union activities.
• Motivate individual workers and groups of workers to take action.
• Engage workers in broader union efforts to bring pressure to bear on industry sectors.
• Ability to engage and inspire people regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, language, class and/or experiences is required.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Basic writing and computer skills, general knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Preferably live centrally within Local 1500’s jurisdiction.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Labor, political, or community activism/organizing experience preferred.
• Develop and maintain rapport with staff and member leaders, working in a team environment.
• Identify, recruit, train and develop worksite leaders and stewards.
• Develop and maintain effective communication networks in worksites.
• Manage working relationships with member leaders, stewards, and grievants.
• Fills out and processes forms and documents in a timely and accurate manner.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport and credibility with diverse demographic groups, as well as with professional, technical, administrative and service workers.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to listen actively, take direction and articulate issues.
• Ability to work long hours as necessary or travel frequently or as needed.
• Valid driver's license, car and insurance.

Salary:

This position offers a competitive salary, full benefit package, commensurate with experience. 

To apply:

E-mail cover letter and resume with subject line of the job which you are applying for to jobs@ufcw1500.org. No mail applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Position will remain open until filled.

The United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1500 is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.
 

Have a great day,

UFCW Local 1500

ufcw1500.org

facebook.com/ufcw1500

@ufcw1500