May, 2012

Food Access, Press Releases, Retail Food, UFCW Industries

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Releases Official App for Smartphones

May 18, 2012

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), the nation’s largest grocery workers union, today announced the release of its first ever-smartphone app, designed to highlight worker voices and connect consumers with union grocery stores across the country. The app is a major development for consumers seeking to make informed choices about where they spend their shopping dollars by highlighting stores where workers are sticking together to preserve good, family-supporting jobs in our communities.

A major highlight of the app is its “Shop Union” feature, which allows anyone in the United States or Canada to locate and secure driving directions to their nearest union grocery store. If UFCW members work at a grocery store near you, the app will be able to get you there. The release of the smartphone app is just the latest element of UFCW’s ongoing program to connect with the next generation of workers.

The UFCW app also lets users receive the latest updates from UFCW members and working people everywhere, see breaking news and original video, and get information about how to take action for working families.

Already, the app is receiving positive reviews from early adopters:

“What a great app! Now I can easily stay informed on the latest union news, and always find the closest union store even when I am on the go.”

“Love the feature where I can search for the nearest union grocery store!”

“Works well and smoothly. Quick download and installation.”

“This is great for finding union grocery stores! We need to support good jobs.”

The app can be accessed from any smartphone at http://ufcwaction.org/app.

Organizing, Press Releases, Retail Food, Southern California Bargaining, UFCW Industries

Raley’s Nob Hill Division UFCW Local 5 Members Authorize Strike by 96%

May 18, 2012

(San Jose, CA) – United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 5 membersworking for Raley’s Nob Hill division have voted by a 96% margin toauthorize a strike.

Coming on the heels of Raley’s threat to submit a last, best and final offerto the union on April 30, Local 5 immediately set up meetings throughout itsjurisdiction to hold strike vote meetings. Members attended in large numbersand authorized the union’s bargaining committee to call a strike.

Subsequent to Raley’s move to scuttle bargaining the parties agreed to enterfederal mediation.

“”Raley’s actions led the union to call a strike vote in the Nob Hilldivision. When a company threatens to submit a last, best and final offer itsets off a sequence of events that inevitably lead to either accepting aterrible offer or a strike. Both options are bad, but since we alreadycancelled one strike vote in a sign of good faith to further bargaining, weweren’t going to cancel this one. This overwhelming vote will send a strongmessage to the company and hopefully move negotiations to a successfulconclusion,”" stated Ron Lind, President UFCW Local 5.

Negotiations resume with Raley’s-Nob Hill on May 18 under the auspices ofthe Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in Oakland.

Legislation, Organizing, Press Releases, Retail, Social Justice, UFCW Industries, UFCW Values, Walmart, War on Workers

Statement on the Supreme Court

May 16, 2012

(Washington, DC) – UFCW International President Joseph Hansen released the following statement:

“A sharply divided Supreme Court closed the door on millions of women working at Walmart today and overturned 40 years of legal precedence in discrimination cases.  In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that Walmart’s written general discrimination policy was proof enough to overturn a lower court’s determination that Walmart women could join together to address widespread gender discrimination claims as a class.  This decision does not make any ruling on the merits of the women’s discrimination claims.

“Today’s decision is deeply disturbing.  The highest court in our nation has turned its back on collective remedy for workers facing widespread injustices.  The UFCW will continue to demand accountability from Walmart to its workers who deserve fair treatment, fair pay and respect on the job.

“Last week, thousands of Walmart workers announced the Organization United for Respect at Walmart because workers know that they are stronger as a group. Employers like Walmart have long attempted to isolate workers and prevent them from solving problems together.  This decision will not stop workers from joining together, through collective action, or prevent them from continuing to pursue their individual claims against Walmart.

The UFCW believes that Walmart is not too big for justice and will continue to hold Walmart to fair workplace standards.  Its 1.4 million associates deserve better.”

Making Change at Walmart seeks to promote the American values of equality, dignity and respect in the workplace. The campaign is making change by working directly with Walmart Associates to claim the respect on the job they deserve, holding Walmart corporate managers accountable to hourly employees and the public for their practices and joining with community leaders in major cities across America to make sure that any new jobs offered by Walmart meet strong standards for healthy, growing communities.