May, 2013

Corporate Responsibility, Organizing, Retail, UFCW Industries, UFCW Values

Target Violated Federal Labor Law, Workers’ Rights According to NLRB Decision

May 08, 2013

On April 26, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overturned the results of a union election based on Target’s worker rights violations at their store in Valley Stream, N.Y. during the campaign last year. Additionally, the NLRB found that the company systematically violated the rights of workers nationwide by maintaining illegal work rules designed to keep workers from speaking out for change at work.

The UFCW released the following statement about the decision:

“For years, Target has broken the law to suppress its employees’ fundamental right of association. Those days of illegal worker intimidation and suppression are over. The right to stick together at work is a basic American value.

“In this case, despite Target’s legal maneuverings to avoid responsibility, the retailer has been held accountable for suppressing the rights of the Long Island workers and for the company’s nationwide policy to silence all their workers.

“This is not just an isolated instance and Target is not an isolated employer. Too often, major employers get away with systematically silencing millions of American workers from speaking out about their jobs. To stand against freedom of speech like Target did is not just wrong, it’s un-American.”

Constituency Groups, Immigration, Legislation, LGBTQ, Packing and Processing, Politics, Press Releases, Social Justice, UFCW Industries, UFCW Values, United Latinos, War on Workers

UFCW, Food Manufacturers Form Alliance on Senate Immigration Bill

May 08, 2013

UFCWnewsWASHINGTON, DC –The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union and the Food Manufacturers Immigration Coalition (FMIC) yesterday announced their partnership on comprehensive immigration reform in a letter sent to the Senate “Gang of Eight,” praising them for their efforts on S. 744. The labor-business coalition is also seeking improvements to the Senate bill in the areas of visa allocation and employment verification.

“We write in support of the comprehensive immigration reform process and thank you for your critical and constructive efforts in support of this legislation,” says the letter signed by UFCW International President Joe Hansen and Barry Carpenter of FMIC.

The labor-business coalition said they support the Senate bill’s provisions to establish a roadmap to citizenship, protect family based immigration, promote smart, effective border enforcement, implement a workable, transparent employment verification system, and create an occupational visa for non-seasonal, permanent positions. However, Hansen and Carpenter are also calling for commonsense improvements to S. 744 in the areas of visa allocation and employment verification.

The labor-business coalition asked for more flexibility when it comes to employment verification. “Allowing employers to use Self-Check in a uniform, nondiscriminatory fashion will create greater transparency for new employees, and will enable employers to ensure that their new hires are not circumventing E-Verify,” the letter reads.

Moreover, the letter outlined: “If an employer takes the extra step of deterring identity theft through the uniform use of Self-Check, then the employer should be presumed to have acted in ‘good faith’ with respect to the E-Verify confirmations it receives.”

Finally, the labor-business coalition requested that Senators direct the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Justice to create regulations that would provide specific rules of the road “describing a course of conduct…that satisfies employment verification requirements and concurrently avoids anti-discrimination liability.” “If an employer follows these regulations, then the employer is presumed to have complied with both the verification and anti-discrimination rules,” the letter reads.

The labor-business coalition said they look forward to working with the Senate to improve S.744 and seeing comprehensive immigration reform become the law of the land.

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UFCW Industries, UFCW Values, Uncategorized

Make Mom Proud by Giving her a Union-Made Mother’s Day

May 06, 2013
Have a union-made Mother\'s Day!

You can make awesome Mother’s Day cards like this one at http://mamasday.org/ , thanks to The Strong Families Initiative

Mother’s Day is when we give back to the women who gave us life. Why not also make it a day to give back to and support union workers who help keep our country going? It’s easy to pamper mom with union-made gifts, or make her a home-cooked, union-ingredient meal!  With help from resources like Labor 411 , the AFL-CIO, and Union Plus you can find everything you need- check out our guide below!

Click here for a variety of delicious dinner ideas that you can impress mom with–like Roasted Almond Crusted Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze, Creamy Garlic Pasta with Shrimp & Vegetables, or Turkey Mignons with Blue Cheese and Balsamic Glaze–all with union-made ingredients!

No time to cook? Fear not–you can cater to Mom’s sweet tooth with any of these union-made treats:

  • See’s Candies
  • Godiva
  • Ghirardelli (UFCW)
  • Almond Roca
  • Russell Stover

Or, if you’re looking to make Mom feel pretty (even though she’s already the most beautiful woman on earth), these union-made beauty products are perfect:

  • Avon (UFCW)
  • Caress skin care (UFCW)
  • Dove beauty care (UFCW)
  • Lander personal care (UFCW)
  • Revlon

If mom likes a drink every now and then, don’t forget about the many union-made beers, wines, champagnes, and liquors available! Click here to see a complete list.