2016 NEWSPAPER COVERS

2016 has been an especially eventful year for our union and for our entire country.

As we reflect on all the change and we plan for a successful 2017, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for allowing me to serve as your Union President. This is a responsibility I am humbled by and honored to do each day.

I've linked all our Union Newspapers below for you to browse and reflect on.

Thank you again and please have a safe and Happy New Year!

Your Brother,

Tony Speelman
President
UFCW Local 1500

REFLECT ON 2016 WITH YOUR UNION NEWSPAPERS

MARCH 2016

JUNE 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016

 

DECEMBER 2016

New Contracts Ratified

As our new union leadership brings new energy and different negotiation tactics to the bargaining table, we're excited to share the news that Fairway Drivers and Wild by Nature workers have ratified new contracts.

We're pleased to announce the hard working men and women of Wild by Nature have ratified a new long-term contract. Wild by Nature is a chain of five organic grocery stores located on Long Island. The new contract includes raises and secures benefits for both part-time and full-time workers.

The truck drivers for Fairway Market have also ratified a multi-year contract. The drivers are covered under a separate contract than men and women working throughout Fairway Market's 17 stores. Under the new contract a huge gain was made for Fairway Drivers, they will now receive pension benefits.

We're proud of the hard work done by both union negotiation committees to reach these contracts. Thank you all for your hard work.

It's my pleasure and honor to serve as your Union President,

Tony Speelman
President
UFCW Local 1500
@aspeel1500

Long Island Families Deserve Better

Today at Best Yet in Huntington Station, NY, as part of an ongoing effort to highlight hardworking people, and their desire for better jobs, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union launched a coordinated television campaign and grassroots effort to show why Long Island needs Best Yet and Best Market stores to change for the better.

"I have lived on Long Island my entire life, I know the real difference that a good job with better wages and benefits can make," said Steven Dozier, a Local 1500 member from Roosevelt who is part of the ad. "When Best Market grew, they didn't do it alone, their hardworking employees and their dedication are the real secret to Best Market's success. Best Market needs to change and do what's right, by providing our neighbors and friends with better wages and benefits so that we can all have have a better future together. We want Best Market to live up to their name and do what's best for Long Island families, they owe it to those who work hard everyday and to our communities."

The television ad campaign will run on cable channels and local broadcast news programs throughout the Long Island region for multiple weeks.

UFCW/RWDSU Locals 338, 342 & 1500 along with community groups like the Long Island Progressive Coalition, Long Island Jobs with Justice rallied in front of Best Market's Huntington Station store, demanding the company do better by their employees.

Tony Speelman Unanimously Elected President of New York’s Largest Grocery Workers Union

Says raising standards and wages for part-time workers across New York will be a key goal, Robert Newell unanimously elected Secretary-Treasurer

 

Tony Speelman, President, UFCW Local 1500

Tony Speelman, a committed labor leader who has dedicated nearly four decades of fighting for hard working men and women, was unanimously elected President of the over 20,000 member United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 (UFCW). Robert Newell, who began his career in 1990 pushing shopping carts at Pathmark, was unanimously elected Secretary-Treasurer.

Speelman, who began his career as a Local 1500 member as a part-timer at Dairy Barn on Long Island, has fought for decades to help working men and women attain better lives at work and at home with their families. He has long held irresponsible corporations accountable throughout the New York tri-state region, fighting for better rights and wages for Walmart and Target workers. He has repeatedly fought to raise the standards for all workers because he deeply believes all men and women deserve the right to improve their lives.

“I am honored to represent the proud men and women of UFCW Local 1500, a union I first became a member of when I was 17 years old, ” Speelman said. “We will work together to provide a better life for all Local 1500 members, to provide better benefits, and safer working conditions,” Speelman said. “We will make it a priority to secure better part-time scheduling, so our members can better balance a family life.”

The Local 1500 Executive Board unanimously elected Speelman and Newell on May 11, 2016. He becomes the seventh president of New York’s largest grocery workers union. Speelman began his career working part-time for Dairy Barn stores on Long Island while attending college in the 1970’s. He quickly became an instrumental part of the UFCW Local 1500 membership, fighting for better wages and benefits for his coworkers and their families. At a young age, he served on three contract negotiation teams, leading to win contracts with better wages, benefits and hours for his coworkers. Speelman then joined the UFCW Local 1500 staff in 1986, serving in every union department before becoming Secretary-Treasurer in 2009. 

Speelman succeeds retired UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both. Both served as President of UFCW Local 1500 since 2004.

“Our team will bring in a big energy change,” Speelman noted. “We’re eager to and look forward to working alongside community groups, other unions, and our International Union. We are in this together, and only together can we make a significant impact on helping the hundreds of thousands of men and women working throughout New York.  Our team will have a dedicated focus on organizing new stores and helping working women and men better their lives in the food retail industry.”

Rob Newell, Secretary-Treasurer, Local 1500

Robert Newell began his career in 1990 working as a part-time shopping cart attendant for Pathmark in Bayshore, NY.  Newell was instrumental in working to organize Wild by Nature, an organic chain of stores throughout Long Island in the 1990’s.  Prior to becoming Secretary-Treasurer, Newell was previously Assistant to the President of UFCW Local 1500. 

"I want this union to become an even greater and stronger union for the decades ahead," Newell said "Our new team will truly make a positive impact on the lives of working men and women throughout New York."

“It’s a neat story," Speelman explained, "I started as a part-timer working nights, Rob started pushing carts as a teenager. It’s because of our passion and love for the men and women in this union that we’re here today. We couldn’t be more proud and honored to lead Local 1500 to become bigger and better."

For Tony Speelman's full bio click here.

For Rob Newell's full bio click here.

Open Letter From The UFCW District Council to Stop & Shop on Contract Negotiations

Stop & Shop Workers Announce New Actions in Campaign for Fair Contract

Fight for a fair deal at Stop & Shop intensifies as profitable company demands cuts to grocery workers’ benefits

(PROVIDENCE, RI) – Today, the New England Council of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union announced a series of rallies in the campaign for a fair contract for 35,000 Stop & Shop workers in New England. Following a rally of hundreds of Stop & Shop workers, customers, elected officials, and community supporters last week, Stop & Shop workers will bring the same energy to five more rallies before the Easter holiday.

New England Stop & Shop workers are currently working under an expired union contract while the profitable company insists on cuts to hard-earned benefits. Stop & Shop’s parent company, Netherlands-based grocery giant Ahold, recently announced operating profits for last year in excess of $1.4 billion. Today, Ahold and Delhaize shareholders are expected to approve the merger of their companies, which will be completed later this year. Prior to closing of the merger, Ahold shareholders will receive a payout of more than $1 billion.

While paying out dividends to foreign shareholders, the company is demanding that workers accept cuts to longstanding benefits, decreasing take-home pay and cutting future retirement benefits despite a fully-funded and secure pension fund. The company is further demanding that future workers be given second-rate benefits and pay, transforming Stop & Shop’s once middle-class jobs into low-wage jobs.

“Stop & Shop’s proposals show that the company has strayed from its core values,” said Tim Melia, president of UFCW Local 328. “This used to be a company that took pride in offering the best wages and benefits in the region, and attracting the best workers. Our members are only asking for their fair share of the success their hard work has built.”

The hardworking men and women of Stop & Shop have been joined in their fight for a fair contract by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Treasurer and member of Stop & Shop’s founding family, Deb Goldberg, the combined 700,000 union members of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island State AFL-CIO Councils, and the 1.3 million members of the UFCW International Union.

Rallies will be held:

Wednesday, March 16th, 4-6 P.M.
Quincy Stop & Shop
65 Newport Ave., Quincy, MA

Thursday, March 17th, 4-6 P.M.
Dorchester Stop & Shop
1100 Massachusetts Ave, Dorchester, MA

Tuesday, March 22nd, 4-6 P.M.
Norwalk Stop & Shop
380 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT

Wednesday, March 23rd, 4-6 P.M.
East Hartford Stop & Shop
940 Silver Ln, East Hartford, CT

Thursday, March 24th, 4-6 P.M.
Holyoke Stop & Shop
28 Lincoln St, Holyoke, MA

Ahold, Parent Company of Stop & Shop, Earns Billions in Profit, but Refuses to Do What Is Right for its Employees.

Current Stop & Shop fruitbowl logo, shared with Giant-Landover (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ahold continues to ignore that hard-working Stop & Shop employees are the ones who make stores a success.

 (PROVIDENCE, R.I.) – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) New England Council released the following statement responding to Ahold’s latest earnings report: “Ahold, the parent company of Stop & Shop should be ashamed. Despite their continued profita-bility, earning in excess of $10 billion in profit last year, they continue to demand cuts to their employees’ hard-earned wages and benefits.

“The truth is that the hard-working men and women at Stop & Shop are the key to the company’s success. It is their dedication and commitment to the customers and the communities they serve that provides Stop & Shop with a real business advantage. “It is absolutely absurd to think that such a profitable company would follow a shortsighted low-road, low-wage business model. Doing so is a recipe for failure - not success.

 “The reality is that customers want to support responsible employers that reflect their values and treat their employees with respect. Stop & Shop customers deserve better, our hard-working members deserve better, and the communities they serve deserve better.

“It's time for Stop & Shop to do what is right and provide a fair contract for the thousands of hard working men and women who make their stores a success.”

A&P Bankruptcy News: New APA's Signed by Wakefern & Morton Williams

Today two Asset Purchase Agreements (APA) were signed and presented to the bankruptcy court for approval. One of the APA's is for 12 A&P stores being purchased by Wakefern. Two of the twelve stores, Pathmark's 649 and 653, are represented by us, Local 1500.   As you may know, Wakefern is a Co-Op, and as of right now the specific owner who made the bids has not been publicly identified. Wakefern's bids have been designated as Stalking Horse, just like Acme's & Stop & Shop's bids. A stalking horse offer, agreement, or bid is an attempt by a debtor to test the market in advance of an auction. The intent is to maximize the value of its assets as part of (or before) a court auction in case of bankruptcy. Morton Williams has also signed an APA on three Food Emporium stores in New York City. As of 12:30 this afternoon, A&P notified the court of its intention to the extend the deadline for bids yet again. The new deadline is now Monday, Sept. 28th at 5pm.  A&P attorneys claim this is due to the continued influx of new bids and new bidders on the stores that will be in the auction.  Based on the court documents we believe that the qualifying bids on all stores will be made public by Monday at 5 PM. Today's meeting with Key Food was canceled due to a last minute scheduling conflict, once it is rescheduled we will let you know.  For all archived Pathmark updates, vist: www.ufcw1500.org/pathmarkupdates Last Update: 9/25: Update on A&P Auction, Key Food & Stop & Shop.

—IMPORTANT A&P BANKRUPTCY DATES — Friday, September 11th The Bankruptcy Court will hear UFCW's objections to A&P’s KERP (corporate bonus plan). Monday, September 28th (tentative) Bid Deadline: All qualifying bids on the stores are due into the Bankruptcy Court. The Bankruptcy Court will announce what Tier I stores have agreements to be sold and what stores will be sold at the auction on 10/1 & 10/2. Thursday, October 1st and/or Friday, October 2nd The auction for the remaining unsold and or closed stores will be held (depending on number of stores, dates could extend). Friday, October 2nd (tentative) Bidders can file objections to the sale of stores in the Bankruptcy Court. The UFCW can also file objections to bids made on the stores. Friday, October 16th A hearing will be held regarding the objections to the sales filed to the Bankruptcy Court. At this stage, the UFCW will have a voice during the auction process to make recommendations on bidders. For instance, if two companies place a comparable bid on the same store and one is a union employer, while the other is non-union, the unionized store would have an advantage and they should likely win the bid. A hearing will be held on A&P's filing of a 1113(c). Bid winners will be formally announced. —UPCOMING UNION EVENTS — Resource Fairs: You may have read that we will be hosting workshops and resource fairs for members displaced by the A&P bankruptcy in our September Newspaper.  Our first Member Resource Fair will be on October 7th at our Union Hall (425 Merrick Ave. Westbury, NY) from 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM (you may come and leave at anytime). If you're interested in attending please RSVP here.  There will be two other fairs in our area, one in Suffolk County on October 15th at IBEW Local 25 in Hauppauge, RSVP here. There will also be a Fair in New York City.  The New York City date is still tentative, once it is confirmed we will let you know. In the meantime you can visit www.ufcwmemberresources.com for more information.

A&P Bankruptcy Update: Key Food, Stop & Shop Negotiations & New Bid Date

This week our union along with Locals 338 and 342, continued to meet with Stop & Shop and Key Food regarding their acquisition of our Pathmark stores. 

Yesterday we met with Key Food late into the night and made significant progress. Negotiations will resume with Key Food on Monday.  

We met with Stop & Shop all day Wednesday and again today. After a very long negotiating session, we've come to a tentative agreement with Ahold (Stop & Shop) on the 12 Pathmark stores they will be acquiring. The tentative agreement preserves the jobs, benefits, rates of pay and entitlements of all Pathmark members in the 12 stores. 

Bankruptcy Court Procedures Update: We are aware how stressful and anxious the situation is for our Pathmark members working at a store that is currently unsold. Late last night we were notified that the bidding deadline has again been moved.

Our professionals and attorneys have advised us that new bidders are coming to the table with new offers every single day.  The final bids on A&P stores are now due in the court Monday, Sept 21st by 5 PM.  The bids will not be public and we will not officially know who is bidding on what store until the auction process is completed.

Our Union Team is diligently working to save jobs.  We will continue to meet with all companies and will not stop fighting to save the benefits, entitlements and jobs of all men and women working for A&P have earned and families depend on.

Little Progress on Key Food Negotiations

August 16, 2015 Message to UFCW Members

Local 1500 along with Local 342 and Local 338 met with Key Food last week, marking the fourth meeting in the last month to discuss Key Food's acquisition of 17 A&P stores.

Again, during this meeting little progress was made. To be blunt, Key Food’s proposals are greedy, shortsighted and offensive to all of the hardworking men and women we represent. The company has been insistent in proposing that the the new owner has the right to reduce the pay of all employees, the right to reduce your hours and the right to reduce your health coverage at their own discretion.

Together, our unions have made it clear to Key Food that we will not accept any of concessionary proposals that would result in diminishing the lifestyles of our members. Key Food management has repeatedly been reminded that under the current A&P Term sheets, we have the right to all of our earned benefits and wages in the A&P contract. We expect them to fulfill their obligations under those Term sheets to our members and their families.

We have also made them aware that there are other companies bidding on these same stores that are certainly more than willing to work collectively with our unions than Key Food seems to be. Key Food is simply attempting to prey on the membership like they would a wounded animal. They are trying to take advantage of all of the men and women we represent who have already sacrificed more than enough, and who have done nothing but give their hard work and dedication to a poorly managed company.

Our next step is to continue to sit with Key Food management and try to negotiate a responsible new agreement. We are not obligated in any way to accept their greedy terms. In fact, Key Food is the one that has to make the decision. It’s our responsibility to insure the jobs we bargain for are jobs that will not only provide us with quality benefits and pay, but jobs our families can count on to support them for decades to come. We are exploring all options and you will continue to be notified of all new information. Once the negotiation process concludes, you will make the final decision to approve or reject what they are offering.

Although our priority and our first concern is for our members to continue to work without any loss, it is Local 1500, Local 342 and Local 338’s position that if Key Food was allowed to reduce pay by $5 per hour, reduce hours from 40 to 35 hours per week, and reduce health coverage from family plans to single that the damage would be catastrophic. Clearly our members would have a very hard time, and shouldn't have to exist under those conditions.

The proposed pay and hour cuts would equate to well over $250 per week in lost wages and the difference between a single and family medical plan could be as much as $600 to $700 per month. If that’s not enough, the company also has the arrogance to demand our members begin making a weekly contribution into this new inferior healthcare plan.

These terms are simply unacceptable. We are now more aggressively seeking other companies that are willing to purchase these same stores.

Bargaining with the rest of the employers that have bought A&P stores has not been nearly as disruptive or destructive as Key Food’s proposals are. None of the other companies are asking for our members to sacrifice anything even close to what Key Food is asking for. Why Key Food feels they are entitled to less is something that we can’t explain.

We have scheduled negotiations with other companies throughout next week.

Now that A&P is closing its doors, their stores have become something of a commodity pertaining to market share, and there are a lot of employers out there who are interested in purchasing that share.
Local 1500, Local 342 and Local 338 are not going to pull any punches and hold back any information that is associated with your lives, your contract, and your jobs. So we will continue to bring you updates on any bargaining that will take place next week and keep you updated on store purchases as soon as the information becomes available. Remember, if we stay united we will eventually succeed. 

It is Local 1500, Local 342 and Local 338’s main priority to make sure your jobs remain intact. We are not going into bargaining with a concessionary mindset. The companies that are coming to buy have no excuse to ask for anything less than what they are paying in the industry. Remember, it is our priority and our mission to preserve what we have, to move forward at all costs to avoid layoffs.

We Survive Together, or Not At All.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative or simply reply to this email. We are here to help you in every way possible.

A&P Files for 1113(e)

Update on A&P Bankruptcy Developments

August 12, 2015

A&P has filed a motion seeking emergency, interim relief to modify its collective bargaining agreements with the UFCW and UFCW/RWDSU Local Unions under Section 1113(e) of the Bankruptcy Code.

A&P has asked that the hearing on the motion be heard before the Bankruptcy Court in White Plains, New York, on Monday, August 17, at 10 a.m.

While bankruptcy law favors companies like A&P, we are going to fight hard in negotiations and in court to protect our members and our contracts.

Your Local Union will be filing strong objections to this motion and opposing it in court because we find it to be totally unfair. You are the heart and soul of this company and have sacrificed more than enough already.

Some of the modifications to our contracts that A&P is seeking include:

• Termination of all bumping provisions. 
•  Severance to workers in stores that are closing will be paid up front, but will not exceed 25% of what is due according to your contract. 

Unfortunately, if the court rules in favor of the company and grants this motion, the modifications to our contracts that the company is seeking would go into effect immediately. Unless there are unusual circumstances, which we do not expect, the order by the judge cannot be appealed.

We understand the stress and concern that this terrible news will bring to you and all of our members.

We will fight tirelessly to make it very clear to A&P and the bankruptcy judge that A&P should honor its responsibilities to you and your families.  

FAQ sheets describing in more detail the 1113(e) bankruptcy process will be distributed to members later today.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative. We are here to help you in every way possible. 

Stopping Fast Track..

President Perrone: “The Best Way to Help the Jobless is to Stop Passing Trade Agreements like TPP that Kill Jobs.”

 “Our campaign for trade policy that is fair and just will continue full speed ahead.”

 Washington, D.C. — Today, Marc Perrone, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the largest private sector union in the nation, released the following statement in response to the U.S. House failing to advance fast track trade legislation.

 "This is a victory for hard-working men and women all across America. In the face of long odds, the American people sent a powerful message that their interests trump narrow political agendas and special interests.

“Today, we saw elected leaders stand up and make clear that the failed promises of global trade agreements, which only seem to serve irresponsible corporations, must come to an end. More importantly, we have seen what hard-working families can accomplish when we stand together and fight for what is right for both workers and this nation.

“With respect to TAA, we support a clean extension of the program, but the best way to help the jobless is to simply stop passing trade agreements like TPP that kill jobs. “While one vote does not end the fight, our campaign for a better America will continue full speed ahead until the threat of TPP and other unfair trade deals is gone for good.”

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Fairway Market Contract Review & Vote Locations

En Español

  

Reviewing and voting on the final Fairway Market contract will take place on Thursday, May 21 from 8 am - 6 pm at the following locations. Your negotiating committee and Union Representatives will be at each of the locations to answer any questions you may have.  It's very important that you vote on your contract!

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 FROM 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM

MANHATTAN: HOLIDAY INN  HOLIDAY INN: 440 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY, NY 10019                                                                                     

FAIRWAY: 480VAN BRUNT STREET  BROOKLYN, NY 11231                    

                                                               

FAIRWAY: 30 EAST RIDGEWOOD AVENUE PARAMUS, NJ 07652          

  

FAIRWAY: 847 PELHAM PARKWAY PELHAM MANOR, NY 10803

FAIRWAY: 50 MANETTO HILL ROAD PLAINVIEW, NY 11803

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE VOTING SO THAT YOU MAY ACCEPT OR REJECT THE COMPANY’S LAST PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW CONTRACT.              

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

Español

Actualización sobre los contratos con Fairway

AVISO DEL SINDICATO

LA VOTACIÓN SOBRE LA PROPUESTA DEL CONTRATO FINAL DEL CONTADOR SE LLEVARÁ A CABO CON LOS MIEMBROS DE LA UNIÓN DE EMPLEADOS POR LOS MERCADOS FAIRWAY EN LAS SIGUIENTES UBICACIONES: FECHA Y HORAS:  JUEVES 21 DE MAYO - 8:00 AM A 6:00 PM

MANHATTAN:    HOLIDAY INN: 440 WEST 57TH STREET,

(Entre la 9na y la 10ma AVENIDAS) NEW YORK CITY, NY 10019                                                                                                                                        

FAIRWAY: 480VAN BRUNT STREET  BROOKLYN, NY 11231                    

                                                               

FAIRWAY: 30 EAST RIDGEWOOD AVENUE PARAMUS, NJ 07652          

  

FAIRWAY: 847 PELHAM PARKWAY PELHAM MANOR, NY 10803

FAIRWAY: 50 MANETTO HILL ROAD PLAINVIEW, NY 11803

ES MUY IMPORTANTE QUE PARTICIPEN EN LA VOTACIÓN PARA QUE PUEDAN ACEPTAR O RECHAZAR LA ÚLTIMA PROPUESTA DE LA EMPRESA PARA EL NUEVO CONTRATO.

Para consultar todas las noticias archivadas, por favor visite nuestro blog.

Marc Perrone Elected President of 1.3 Million Member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

Says by uniting together, we can give workers the opportunities they deserve

Official UFCW Logo

CHICAGO, IL—Today, Marc Perrone, a labor leader who has committed four decades to fighting for hard working families, was elected International President of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

As a proud leader and member of the UFCW, Perrone has long fought to organize more members, bargain the best contracts possible, and hold irresponsible corporations accountable. His values as a labor leader have been defined by the belief that every worker has the right to a decent living, a reliable schedule, quality affordable health care, and respect on the job.

"The choice we face today is whether we will stand together and build an economy that lifts up all families, or watch as even more workers fall further behind and struggle to make ends meet,” Perrone said. “Cynics may believe that these divisions and inequities are irreversible. I do not. We, as a union, do not. I strongly believe that by uniting together we can give workers across North America the opportunities they deserve."

Beginning today, Perrone will spend the coming weeks and months meeting with UFCW members throughout the United States and Canada. As part of this listening tour, Perrone will have one on one conversations, visit worksites, and utilize digital and social media platforms to engage with union members and hear their thoughts and ideas on how the UFCW can grow even stronger.

"The ideas to build a stronger union do not lie within any one individual,” Perrone said. “They lie within all of us. They lie in the collective wisdom and strength of 1.3 million UFCW members who work hard every day to support their families. I want to hear their ideas. I want to hear their vision. I want to hear what we can all do to become an even greater and stronger union for the decades ahead."

Perrone will be succeeding retiring International President Joe Hansen.

Hansen started as a meatcutter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1962 and used his experience as a rank and file union activist to help lift up UFCW members and all workers. Hansen was elected International President in 2004 and helped steer the UFCW through a Great Recession, the flood of corporate money into politics, the single greatest legislative attack on labor in history, and the rise of income inequality.

“Even in the face of unprecedented challenges, Joe Hansen never lost sight of our members,” Perrone said. “His commitment and dedication to the hard-working men and women we represent will never be forgotten.”

During his tenure, Hansen increased union density in meatpacking and processing, formed important global labor alliances, and helped lead the labor movement’s positions on comprehensive immigration reform.

* For Perrone's biography, and the announcement of new UFCW officers, please see below:

Biography of International President Marc Perrone:

Marc Perrone joined the Retail Clerks—which later became the UFCW—in 1971 while working as a courtesy clerk at Weingarten’s food store in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  Since that time, he has held various positions within the UFCW, including Region 1-Eastern Director and National Director of Strategic Programs, Collective Bargaining and Organizing. For the last decade, he has served as International Secretary-Treasurer, keeping the UFCW on sound fiscal footing in a challenging climate.

New UFCW Officers Elected:

Under the UFCW International Constitution, the International Executive Board is charged with electing a replacement for a vacancy in the office of International President. The UFCW Executive Board consists of 50 International Vice Presidents, primarily local union leaders, and 5 Executive Committee members.

The UFCW International Executive Board also elected former Executive Vice President Pat O’Neill as International Secretary-Treasurer, Esther Lopez as Executive Vice President, and Stuart Appelbaum as Executive Vice President. Paul Meinema currently serves as Executive Vice President and National President of UFCW Canada. Executive Vice President Bill McDonough retired on October 31.

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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.

9,000 Stop & Shop, King Kullen Workers Standing Together...Again

By: Tony Speelman

At our Shop Steward’s Seminar in October, my message to the Stewards was the same as all Local 1500 Executives, stand together.

Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiations are ongoing as you read this, and as expected the billion-dollar employer Stop & Shop is attempting to tighten their grip even further on our union contracts. Even scheduling dates for negotiation sessions were long dragged out process.

The company approached us with one date they were available for negotiations. Finally after tremendous pressure from us, they succumbed and we have been meeting throughout the month of November. My point is everything from scheduling negotiations, to actual negotiations is difficult with Stop & Shop. We aren’t surprised and we don’t expect you to be either. Stop & Shop’s negotiations history with the UFCW is frustrating.  Just take a look at this chart below:

This chart does not and is not intended to bash our brothers and sisters in other Locals throughout our area, but it is intended to shed a light on how difficult this company makes the negotiation process, and how little urgency they exhibit when there are thousands upon thousands of jobs on the line. While negotiations with Local 342 and Stop & Shop are going on with at the same time as ours, keep in mind that if there is a possible stop work action between Local 342 and Stop & Shop, our contracts allow us to stand the line with our brothers and sisters from Local 342. We do not have to cross the line. 

I am not saying it will come to this, but we are all aware it’s quite possible when negotiating with Stop & Shop. My message is clear as always, communicate with your union. Do not believe or buy into company propaganda, which includes rumors heard throughout the store. Do not back down; stand up for your union and your coworkers.

Stop & Shop’s plan is to divide us and take away our solidarity. Our job as union members is to stick together to demand more from our employer. The only way we can do this is with full commitment from every member. Negativity, double guessing and bad talking the negotiation process is doing no good, it’s just what Stop & Shop wants to hear.

This holds true for all members who aren’t working at Stop & Shop or King Kullen, we’re all in this together and we all need to stick together. Last year we saw hundreds of Local 1500 members volunteer to support Stop & Shop workers if a potential work action would occur, and I expect the same for this round of negotiations. That feeling of solidarity is special. I get goose bumps just writing about the selfless actions of fellow UFCW Local 1500 members who are willing to stand up for their brothers and sisters.

Please enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season. As always my door is open to speak to anyone who has any questions or comments. You can always tweet me @Aspeel1500. Happy Holidays, stay together, united and we will succeed!

Statement from New York's Largest Grocery Workers Union on Mayor de Blasio's Decision to Shut Down Carriages

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers union, released the following statement regarding Mayor de Blasio's decision to shut down the horse carriage industry, and pledged full support of the Teamsters:

"The 23,000 men and women of UFCW 1500 support the Teamsters, and the more than 300 hardworking men and women who rely on this historic industry to make ends meet," said Tony Speelman, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500. "We cannot and will not sit idly by while the professional fates of these working men and women hang in the balance. We remain committed to standing with our brothers and sisters in the labor movement to protect the careers of these dedicated carriage drivers."

UFCW President Hansen Statement in Response to President Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s plan to take executive action on immigration.

“Today the President announced he will take belated but necessary action to provide relief to immigrant workers, families, and communities. Make no mistake—this is not a substitute for comprehensive immigration reform. But it will prevent the deportation of many immigrants who would have qualified for citizenship under the Senate bill that passed over 500 days ago.

“For nearly a year and a half, the House Republican leadership has refused to take action to fix our broken immigration system. The President has both a legal right and moral responsibility to step in.

“At the UFCW, this has been our fight for decades. Our members and their families have persevered through raids and deportations. UFCW members have mobilized to defeat racist ballot initiatives and our union has assisted workers with the legalization process while negotiating contracts that protect our members where the law fails to. All along, those in UFCW gold have lobbied for comprehensive immigration reform at protests, marches, rallies, town halls, and just yesterday, in front of the White House.

“We will continue to call on Congress to send legislation to the President’s desk. But with no bill to sign, President Obama is rightly using his pen to provide relief to those who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. Executive action is not all we need or deserve. But it is a step in the right direction and for that we are thankful.”

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En español:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, el presidente internacional de la Unión Internacional de Trabajadores de la Industria de Alimentos y del Comercio (UFCW, por sus siglas en inglés), publicó hoy la siguiente declaración en respuesta al plan del presidente Obama de llevar a cabo una acción ejecutiva sobre la inmigración.

“El Presidente anunció hoy que tomará medidas algo tardías pero necesarias para prestar asistencia a trabajadores, familias y comunidades de inmigrantes. Que quede claro: esto no sustituye de ninguna manera la necesidad de una reforma migratoria integral, pero servirá para prevenir la deportación de muchos inmigrantes que hubieran reunido los requisitos necesarios para obtener la ciudadanía de acuerdo con el proyecto de ley del Senado que se aprobó hace más de 500 días.

Por casi un año y medio, los líderes de republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes se han negado a tomar medidas para arreglar nuestro sistema de inmigración roto. Es tanto el derecho legal como la responsabilidad moral del Presidente intervenir en este asunto.

En la UFCW, esta ha sido nuestra lucha por décadas. Nuestros miembros y sus familias han perseverado a pesar de las redadas y las deportaciones. Los miembros de la UFCW se han movilizado para combatir las iniciativas electorales racistas y nuestra unión ha asistido a los trabajadores con el proceso de legalización y con los contratos negociados que protegen a nuestros miembros en los casos en los que la ley no lo hace. Desde el principio,  aquellos que participan en el programa Gold de la UFCW han cabildeado para lograr una reforma migratoria integral por medio de protestas, marchas, mitines, asambleas públicas y ayer específicamente, frente a la Casa Blanca.

Continuaremos exigiéndole al Congreso que envíe legislación al despacho del Presidente. Pero mientras no haya proyecto de ley para firmar, el presidente Obama ha decidido usar su bolígrafo, en pleno uso de sus derechos, para proporcionar asistencia a aquellos que intentan construir una vida mejor para sí mismos y para sus familias. Esta acción ejecutiva no es todo lo que necesitamos ni todo lo que merecemos. Pero sí es un paso en la dirección correcta y por eso estamos sumamente agradecidos”.

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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.