June, 2007

Collective Bargaining, Economic Justice, Health Care, Kroger, Press Releases, Retail Food, UFCW Industries

UFCW-Represented Kroger Workers in Dallas Authorize Strike

Jun 11, 2007

(Dallas, Tex.)- United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 540 members in Dallas have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a potential strike, and to join the fight with Houston UFCW Locals 455 and 408 members to stop Kroger from jeopardizing affordable health care.  When their contract expires on Sunday, there will be no extension.

“This is Texas-style UFCW solidarity.  Kroger meatcutters in Dallas aren’t going to let Kroger kick around our brothers and sisters in Houston,” said Johnny Rodriguez, UFCW Local 540 President.  “Every Kroger member in Texas deserves respect and fairness from this company.”

Kroger is a profitable, successful company.  But just like in Houston, Kroger is refusing to share that success and agree to a fair contract for its employees.  The company intends to bankrupt the health and welfare fund, forcing its employees and their families to make a tough choice – pay for health coverage, or pay the bills.  It’s the same old dirty trick we’ve seen before.

Every day, the financial news comes out with another rosy report on Kroger – the company is realizing record profits, increasing market share, and growing revenues.  Yet the company seems intent on forcing workers out into the streets and disrupting shoppers’ lives, just to satisfy their own greed.

That’s why UFCW members across Texas are sticking together and fighting back.  They’re offering Kroger a choice: the company can continue to play games and offer empty excuses – or they can get real and settle a fair contract.

Whichever way Kroger wants to play it, UFCW members across the state will be standing together – one union with one voice – united in the demand for a contract that protects affordable health care.

In fact, tens of thousands of workers in cities across the U.S. are at the table with Kroger, attempting to bargain for a fair contract that will benefit Kroger workers, their company and their communities.  Those UFCW members, working at Kroger stores in Oregon, Southern California, Toledo and Seattle, have had enough.  They’re joining Texas workers in demanding Kroger step up to the plate and share the company’s success with the workers who make it possible.

UFCW members have heard all the excuses.  Now, they’re telling Kroger to stop playing games and get serious – for the sake of business, workers and communities.  It’s about time.

UFCW members are unified in a nationwide movement to improve jobs in the grocery industry for workers, families and communities.  For more on UFCW negotiations across the country, log on to www.groceryworkersunited.com

Collective Bargaining, Kroger, Press Releases, Retail Food, Social Justice, UFCW Industries

DETROIT WORKERS RATIFY FAIR AGREEMENT WITH KROGER

Jun 08, 2007

West Coast, Houston, Dallas, and Toledo Workers Tell Company to End Games at Bargaining Table and Settle a Contract that Shares Kroger’s Success

WASHINGTON, DC– Michigan Kroger workers represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 876 scored a major victory yesterday when they voted to ratify a fair contract with the Kroger Company.

The contract includes immediate wage increases for all members, as well as increases throughout the contract’s term. It also includes job security, improved, affordable health care coverage, and improved pension contributions.

“The contract is especially meaningful for the approximate 700 current members who did not qualify for full health benefits under the last contract, but will under the new agreement,”" said Local 876 President Roger Robinson.

Kroger is a highly successful company, realizing record profits, increasing market share, and growing revenues.

Detroit is not the only location where UFCW members are in negotiations with the Kroger Company. In fact, tens of thousands of workers in cities across the U.S. are at the table with Kroger, attempting to bargain for a fair contract that will benefit Kroger workers, their company and their communities.

Those UFCW members, working at Kroger stores in Houston, Dallas, Oregon, Southern California, Toledo, and Seattle, are demanding that Kroger step up to the plate like it did in Detroit and share the company’s success with the workers who make it possible. To date, though, Kroger has refused to get real at the bargaining table.

The company is up to its old tricks on the West Coast, in Texas, and Ohio, insisting on contracts that would, in effect, force workers and their families to choose between paying the rent and paying for health care. Instead of seeking ways to reward these UFCW members for their hard work, the company is seeking ways to lower living standards.

“We all do the same jobs, and we all work hard,” said Mike Newman, UFCW Local 911 member and Toledo Kroger worker. “We should all be treated equally. It’s only fair.”

UFCW members are unified in a nationwide movement to improve jobs in the grocery industry for workers, families, and communities. For more on UFCW negotiations across the country, visit the website at www.groceryworkersunited.org.

Immigration, Press Releases, Social Justice, UFCW Values

UFCW Urges Congress to Redouble Efforts on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Jun 08, 2007

For Immediate Release                                                                   June 8, 2007

United Food and Commercial Workers International UnionUrges Congress to Redouble Efforts on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Responsibility to Fix Broken Immigration System Remains Despite Senate Action to Pull Latest Bill

 

Washington DC—All workers deserve immigration reform that respects the fundamental American values of inclusion and democracy.

Last night’s stumble does not relieve the U.S. Senate of responsibility of continuing on path of reforming our broken immigration system.

Approximately 12 million workers who go to work every day, pay taxes and contribute to their communities remain on the edge of hope without a path to fully participate in our democratic system and to achieve the American dream. This intolerable situation must end.

Meanwhile, too many corporations have played our dysfunctional immigration system for their own gain, leaving workers—both immigrant and native-born—to endure the price of abuse and deteriorating workplace standards.

The government’s reliance on worksite raids as a substitute for immigration policy only exacerbates the failings of our current system, disrupting families, workplaces, local economies, and communities. Employers who recruit, hire and, often times, exploit undocumented workers have faced virtually no penalty.

The UFCW remains committed to working with all members of Congress on achieving meaningful immigration reform that is consistent with fundamental American values and protects all workers. Guestworker provisions, including any expansion of existing programs, inherently undermine the very ideals and values our country was built on, creating an underclass of workers and engendering racial and other discriminatory attitudes toward individuals who are afforded neither full rights on the job nor participation in our society.

The legislation debated by the Senate is far from perfect, but it represents an opportunity to work toward meaningful reform.  The UFCW will continue to work with our 1.3 million members, community partners and lawmakers to make immigration reform a reality.