July, 2008

Collective Bargaining, Economic Justice, Health Care, Press Releases, UFCW Values

UFCW President Announces Aggressive New Health Care Mobilization Project

Jul 21, 2008

Washington, D.C. – The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) today pledged to aggressively mobilize its 1.3 million members in support of the newly-formed Health Care for America Now, an unprecedented coalition of organizations across the political spectrum that have come together to call for affordable, quality health care for all Americans.

UFCW International President Joe Hansen announced at the official launch of the historic campaign in Washington, D.C., that the UFCW would join the coalition of allied labor unions, medical associations, small businesses and community groups that have united in response to America’s health care crisis.

“While there may be gridlock in Washington, there is consensus in America,” said Hansen. “The American people want solutions–not sound bites. We need health care for America now.”

The event was part of series of Health Care for American Now launch activities taking place in 52 Cities across the U.S. today, including in 37 state capitals.

UFCW members are at the forefront of the fight for better health care. It is an issue that they strongly advocate for every time they sit down at the bargaining table–and just like most Americans, they believe that working people shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of health care reform alone.

From 2003 to 2006, President Hansen served as an active member of the congressionally mandated Citizens’ Health Care Working Group. For nearly two years, the group held an unprecedented nationwide dialogue with the American people on the health care system before reporting its findings to the President and Congress.

The report documents a remarkable consensus from the American people on health care reform. Americans want affordable, quality health care coverage for all—and they want it now.

The UFCW has heard America’s call for change and will continue the fight as a proud member of the Health Care for America Now coalition. United, the coalition members will make sure the voices of average Americans are not drowned out in Washington by that of the insurance industry and big business.

Uncategorized

>7 Questions Job Seekers Need to Ask

Jul 21, 2008

>Can’t find a job? As the unemployment rate rises and the economy is becoming weaker, finding a job is getting to be even harder for young adults. The job market is more competitive which means, everyone will need to step their game up. It used to be just who you know, but now it’s who knows you. ABC News has compiled a list of 7 questions job seekers should ask themselves in order to secure a promising job placement.

Want a job that makes you happy every time you must go to work? First, ask yourself some important questions. One is, “Am I looking in the right place?” You might not want to be looking for a job in an industry that is in turmoil. You’ll be setting yourself up for failure. Another question is, “Am I memorable?” Of course you don’t want to go to an interview in sweats and a T-Shirt. Yeah, you’ll definitely be memorable but, not in a good way. Think of something unique that will make you stand out. One college student created a magazine about herself; skills and references. I bet employers will definitely remember that.

So, if you want a job you could be happy with, ask yourself some questions first.

Economic Justice, Organizing, Packing and Processing, Press Releases, Retail Food, Social Justice, UFCW Industries, UFCW Values

CASE FARMS POULTRY WORKERS FORCED TO WITHHOLD THEIR LABOR

Jul 19, 2008
(Winesburg, Ohio) More than one hundred frustrated poultry workers walked off the job at Case Farms poultry plant yesterday in a fight for living wages and respect on the job. Over a year ago these same workers chose United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 880 to be their voice on the job and to bargain a fair and living wage for them.
After months of hard bargaining and despite the best efforts of a Federal Mediator, Case Farms refused to budge from its tiny economic offer that would pay them less than their non-union counterparts in North Carolina who do the same work.  Faced with this unreasonable and unfair position, the workers voted overwhelmingly (294-12) to reject the offer and to withhold their labor.
Despite this clear message, the company continued to stonewall in negotiations. A privately owned company, Case Farms has decided to make non-union status and profits for owner more important than paying a fair and living wage to its Winesburg workers. After the company committed numerous alleged unfair labor practices, the workers decided that they were left with no choice, that the company had no interest in treating them fairly, and that the only thing they could do was withhold their labor until the company decided to be fair to them.
Chicken is the number one meat product in the U.S. yet Case Farms is paying its dedicated workforce a paltry $8.10 per hour, on average, which translates into an annual income of $16,000 — 20% below the federal poverty level for a family of four.
Poultry processing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. The dangerous conditions faced by workers in the poultry industry have been documented by academics, the media and the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Poultry workers typically perform physically demanding, repetitive work, during which they stand for long periods of time at fast moving production lines while using ultra-sharp knives and scissors. Working in extreme temperatures they often make up to 40,000 repetitive cutting motions per shift.
In addition to the plant in Winesburg, OH, Case Farms operates poultry plants in Morganton and Goldsboro North Carolina. Case has a history of forcing workers to withhold their labor in order to achieve fair treatment by management.
The UFCW International Union represents more than 1.3 million members in the U.S. and Canada, including 250,000 workers in the poultry and meatpacking industries. UFCW Local 880 represents more than 22,000 workers across Northern Ohio including supermarket workers and food processing workers.