January, 2013

Retail, UFCW Industries, Uncategorized

H&M Workers Join Local 1102* for a Union Voice on the Job

Jan 09, 2013

Around 60 H&M workers in New York City joined RWDSU Local 1102 to have a union voice at the workplace. Workers at 11 Manhattan H&M stores are now under a master contract.

H&M members from other stores helped to organize workers by discussing the benefits of standing together in solidarity and having a voice on the job.

“As a steward, I want all my H&M co-workers to have the same benefits and protection that I have. When I spoke to the new workers, I shared how having a union voice helped me and others in my store,” said H&M steward Charlie Truitt.

H&M worker Alicia Williams-Timo said,“When it was time for me to come speak to the new workers, I was happy to share my own story and how being part of a union helped me to stay with the company and develop within my job.”

Economic Justice, Retail, UFCW Industries, UFCW Values, Uncategorized

New York City Retail Workers Win Back Wages with Help from RWDSU and RAP

Jan 09, 2013

Retail worker Carolina Ferreyra led her co-workers through the process of filing their claims for the wage theft settlement.

On December 20, over 100 current and former retail employees of Mystique Boutique in New York City received back wages through a $950,000 wage theft settlement obtained by the New York State Office of the Attorney General which investigated workers’ claims of non-payment of minimum wage and overtime. The settlement includes funds for restitution as well as independent monitoring for ongoing compliance with wage and hour laws.

Workers brought their claims to the New York State Attorney General through a campaign to clean up illegal labor practices in retail chains initiated by the Retail Action Project (RAP), working in partnership with the RWDSU. RAP is a membership organization of retail workers dedicated to improving workplace standards in the industry.

Carolina Ferreyra, a former Mystique Boutique employee of two years, led her co-workers through the process of filing their claims. She explained, “Mystique thought they could get away with violating the law because many of us are young immigrants. But we came together and exercised our right to fair and legal wages. My days of working 60-70 hours a week with no overtime, raises, or respect are over, and today I’m thrilled to be finally getting back what I’ve earned.”

Phil Andrews, Director of the Retail Organizing Project at the RWDSU, added, “SoHo is an important part of the city’s retail economy. When retailers like Mystique pay below minimum wage, they hurt standards for all retail workers.”

Economic Justice, Packing and Processing, Press Releases, UFCW Industries

Pinnacle Foods Workers in Fort Madison Authorize Strike to Protest Company’s Plan to Eliminate Pensions

Jan 08, 2013

FORT MADISON, IOWA – Over 400 Pinnacle Foods Workers in Fort Madison who are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) voted on Sunday, January 6 to authorize a strike to protest the company’s plan to eliminate their pension plan.  The Pinnacle Foods plant in Fort Madison manufactures canned food products, including Vienna sausages, Armour brand corned beef hash, beef stew and chili.

“In a volatile financial environment, Pinnacle Foods workers in Fort Madison are simply trying to protect middle class jobs and their retirement benefits after working hard to make their company profitable,” said UFCW Local 617 President Darin Boatman.  “I hope this strike vote sends a strong message to the company and moves the negotiation process to a successful conclusion.”

Defined benefit pension plans are the most secure retirement system for workers.  While many workers are forced to rely on less secure investments, like 401 (k) plans, or have no retirement at all, many UFCW members have retirement security through their pension benefits that provide for a monthly payment for their lifetime after they retire.

Pinnacle Foods, Inc. is backed by the Blackstone Group L.P., a private equity firm, and posted net sales of $2.5 billion in the 2011 fiscal year.

###

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, http://www.ufcw.org/, or join our online community at http://www.facebook.com/ufcwinternational and https://twitter.com/UFCW