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2003 Press Releases
 
  Food Workers Union Offers Good Faith Gesture to Start Negotiations
  December 19, 2003
  In a dramatic gesture to reopen negotiations, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) announced today that its local unions would remove picket lines from distribution/warehouse facilities at Ralphs, Albertsons and Safeway/Vons. The move coincides with the renewal of negotiations on Friday, December 19, 2003.
 
  Are the Supermarket Employers Lying About Their Health Plan?
  December 16, 2003
  Striking supermarket workers continue to expose Safeway’s ‘big lie’ about the health care issues driving the three-month long strike in Southern California. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) will run full-page advertisements in the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Bakersfield Californian and the San Diego Union Tribune.
 
  UFCW North American Summit Mobilizes Support For Southern California Supermarket Strike
  December 16, 2003
  On Tuesday, December 16, 2003, 400+ UFCW local union presidents from across the country and Canada will meet in Century City to discuss ways of supporting the Southern California local unions whose 70,000 members have been on strike or locked out since October 11th.
 
  Bush's Idea of Fairness--Cuts for Everybody: Tax Cuts for The Rich, Pay Cuts For The Workers
  December 13, 2003
  In a statement before a hearing on proposed rule changes on overtime pay eligibility, Dority charged that the Bush plan would be the "largest, single pay cut for workers in history," and has no rational basis except to "feed the greed of corporate America."
 
  Corporal John Miller, Annapolis Police Dept, Testifies on Overtime Regulations
  December 11, 2003
  Statement before the Democratic Policy Committee Hearing on Proposed Regulatory Changes to Overtime Exemptions in the Fair Labor Standards Act
 
  Doug Dority Statement on Overtime Regulations
  December 11, 2003
  Presented at the Hearing on Proposed Regulatory Changes to Overtime Exemptions in the Fair Labor Standards Act Before the Democratic Policy Committee
 
  Holding the Line for Health Care: Support Builds with Labor Movement Contributions
  December 09, 2003
  Two international unions and a major insurance company make sizeable contributions to UFCW strike fund.
 
  California Congressman Challenges Safeway’s Claims On Health Care
  December 04, 2003
  Congressman Lantos' letter to Steve Burd, Safeway CEO
 
  Entertainment Industry Unions & Celebrities to Join Striking and Locked Out Grocery Workers on Picket Line
  December 02, 2003
  Participants to Bring Unwrapped Toys for the Children of UFCW Workers Who May Face a Lean Holiday Season if Strike Continues...
 
  Picket Lines Spread to Supermarket Warehouses and Distribution Centers
  November 24, 2003
  The Southern California supermarket strike gaining new momentum and support with the extension of picket lines from coast to coast over the weekend will now expand the fight to hold the line for health care to the warehouse and distribution facilities of all three supermarket chains.
 
  California Supermarket Strike hits local Safeway stores
  November 21, 2003
  National Picket Lines to Hit Washington-Baltimore Area Safeway Stores this Weekend
 
  Southern California Supermarket Workers Extend Pickets to Sacramento
  November 21, 2003
  As they enter their sixth week on strike, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union are extending picket lines to Sacramento-area Safeway stores.
 
  Southern California Supermarket Workers Extend Picket Lines to Fresno
  November 16, 2003
  After five weeks on strike, members of the UFCW are extending picket lines to Fresno Safeway stores. Picket lines are now up at Safeways in San Francisco, Oakland, Castro Valley and Hayward.
 
  Southern California Supermarket Workers Extend Picket Lines to East Bay
  November 14, 2003
  A few days after extending lines to San Francisco, Southern California supermarket strikers have moved across the Bay and are setting up pickets at Safeway in Hayward and Castro Valley.
 
  Military Vets Challenge Award to Tyson Foods
  November 13, 2003
  Veterans will protest tomorrow, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the U. S. Chamber of Commerce building, 1615 H Street NW, Washington D.C. They will demonstrate their disgust over Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's decision to present Tyson Foods the "Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award."
 
  Southern California Supermarket Workers Extend Picket Line to Northern California Safeway/Vons Stores
  November 11, 2003
  Picket lines extended to Northern California Safeway/Vons stores.
 
  Supermarket Strike Spreads as Picket Lines Begin Move to Northern California Safeway Stores
  November 07, 2003
  Picket lines spread to Northern California Safeway stores.
 
  Contract with Schnucks, Dierbergs, Shop ‘n Save Is Ratified by UFCW Local 655
  October 31, 2003
  By a secret ballot vote of 4,174 to 945, members of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 655 today accepted a 47-month contract proposal made by the three major local food chains, Schnucks, Dierbergs and Shop ‘n Save.
 
  UFCW Supermarket Workers Withdraw Pickets from Ralphs Stores
  October 31, 2003
  Picket lines will be withdrawn by 12:00 noon from Ralphs stores in Southern California.
 
  Hold the Line on Health Care
  October 30, 2003
  Almost 90,000 UFCW members, 70,000 in Southern California alone, are in the streets in a fight to save health benefits at work. Make no mistake about the scope and the consequences of this struggle. It is corporate greed vs. human need and corporate greed is a killer.
 
  “Hold the Line for America’s Health Care,” National Leaders Say
  October 28, 2003
  AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, Union Presidents, National, Consumer, Civil Rights, Religious, and Women’s Community Leaders Will Announce Actions to Support Striking Grocery Workers
 
  Lies, Damn Lies and Company Lies
  October 22, 2003
  Setting the record straight about Safeway, Kroger and Alberton's plans to destroy health care benefits for Southern California grocery workers.
 
  Press Briefing: Lies, Damn Lies And Company Lies
  October 21, 2003
  Press Briefing - Media Advisory about the California Supermarket Strike
 
  Gephardt Health Care Stance Wins Support From
  October 15, 2003
  Davenport, Iowa—Today, the nation’s largest private sector union, and the largest union in Iowa, put the support of its 1.4 million members behind Dick Gephardt for President. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union endorsed the Gephardt campaign based on his plan to protect the employer-based health care system in the U.S.
 
  UFCW Statement on Farmland Sale to Smithfield Foods
  October 14, 2003
  Farmland was sold to Smithfield Foods today. Following is the UFCW statement.
 
  UFCW Unions in Southern California Sue Albertsons and Ralphs for Violation of
  October 14, 2003
  Statement from Southern California strike
 
  Kroger Employees Take Stand for Fairness
  October 13, 2003
  Press Statement from UFCW Local 400 on West Virginia grocery strike
 
  Corporate Greed vs. Human Need
  October 10, 2003
  Press statement on Southern California strike situation
 
  UFCW News 10/10: UFCW Supermarket Workers Reject Employers’ Offer Vote Overwhelmingly To Protect Health Care and Retirem
  October 10, 2003
  UFCW Supermarket Workers Reject Employers' Offer Vote Overwhelmingly To Protect Health Care and Retirement Benefits
 
  Injured Smithfield Worker Speaks Out for Improved Safety
  October 02, 2003
  Jose Sauceda, a Mexican immigrant and former worker at the world’s largest hog processing plant, testified before a panel of U.S. Representatives today. Sauceda spoke to members of the Workforce Protections subcommittee of the House Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. He told the assembled group of elected officials about his experiences slaughtering hogs at the Smithfield Packing plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina.
 
  Hormel Workers Ratify New Contract
  October 01, 2003
  More than 3,000 workers at Hormel plants in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota approved a new four-year contract in a vote last night. Workers, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union turned out to vote their approval for the agreement.
 
  Doing the Work of America: Food and Commercial Workers Mobilize for Immigrant Worker Rights
  September 25, 2003
  The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and the Omaha community are mobilizing to protect the rights of immigrant workers. A coalition of Omaha Together, One Community (OTOC), immigrant assist organizations, student organizations, local businesses, elected officials, and local labor leaders will welcome the national Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride in Omaha on Saturday, September 27th.
 
  Doing the Work of America: Food and Commercial Workers Mobilize for Immigrant Worker Rights
  September 25, 2003
  The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and the Fayetteville community are mobilizing to protect the rights of immigrant workers. A coalition of immigrant assist organizations, student organizations, local businesses, elected officials, and local labor leaders will welcome the national Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride in Fayetteville on Monday, September 29th.
 
  Doing the Work of America: Food and Commercial Workers Mobilize for Immigrant Worker Rights
  September 25, 2003
  The nation's largest private sector union and the largest workers' organization in the food industry, the 1.4 million member United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), is mobilizing to protect the rights of immigrant workers who now comprise the majority of the workforce in much of America's meat and food processing industry.
 
  Fuerza Laboral Mayoritaria Se Moviliza a Favor de los Derechos de Los Trabajadores Inmigrantes de la Inudstria de ...
  September 25, 2003
  La unión más grande del sector privado y la organización de trabajadores con más integrantes en la industria alimentaría, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), con 1.4 millones de miembros; se está movilizando para proteger los derechos de los obreros inmigrantes, quienes conforman en la actualidad la mayoría de la fuerza laboral en gran parte de la industria del procesamiento de carnes y alimentos de los Estados Unidos.
 
  Immigrant Workers Stand Up for a Voice on the Job
  September 24, 2003
  On the eve of the historic national Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride arriving in Omaha, a group of 250 mostly immigrant workers at the Casa de Oro plant stood up for a voice on the job with the UFCW Local 271. In an election Tuesday, September 23, 2003, workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of UFCW representation.
 
  Wal-Mart Workers' Right to Talk Union on Job Upheld By Judge
  September 16, 2003
  Wal-Mart’s effort to silence workers through a 'no solicitation’ policy its managers interpret as prohibiting any talk about union organizing is blatantly illegal, a National Labor Relations Board Judge has ruled in a case involving the Wal?Mart Supercenter in Aiken, South Carolina.
 
  Legal Technicalities Allows Smithfield Packing Off the Hook
  August 21, 2003
  Facts Remain Indisputable: Company Engaged in Terror Tactics Against Workers
 
  Organizing Movement Grows Among Wal-Mart Workers
  August 20, 2003
  Worker efforts to get a voice on the job at Wal-Mart stores in North America are gaining ground. Canadian Wal-Mart workers in Thompson, Manitoba, narrowly lost their efforts to get a voice on the job with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) - 61 to 54.
 
  Wal-Mart's War on Workers: Frontline Report From Texas and Arkansas
  August 08, 2003
  U.S. District Court Investigating Overtime Abuse
 
  Las Vegas Wal-Mart Worker to Share Spotlight with Presidential Candidates
  August 05, 2003
  Fired Worker Making His Voice Heard
 
  Details on Candidates Forum At UFCW Convention
  July 30, 2003
  Democratic Party presidential candidates will appear in a forum on health care issues at the Convention of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
 
  Democratic Presidential Campaign Train 2004: West Coast Whistle Stop
  July 18, 2003
  Gephardt-Dean-Kerry-Edwards-Moseley Braun-Kucinich Will Give Their Answers To A Crowd Of 5,000 Working Americans In A Forum On Health Care Reform
 
  Nation's Largest Private Sector Union to Host Democratic Presidential Candidates Forum on Health Care Reform
  July 17, 2003
  Dean, Gephardt, Kucinich and Moseley-Braun Confirmed – Others Invited - for July 31st Forum – Bill Press To Moderate Candidate Discussion
 
  Wal-Marts's War on Workers: Frontline Report from Florida & Georgia
  July 10, 2003
  Company Settles Second Case in Georgia; Faces New Complaint in Ft. Myers
 
  Statement From Michael E. Leonard UFCW Executive Vice President and Director of Strategic Programs
  July 03, 2003
  Today, the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and remanded the nationwide injunction Wal-Mart had obtained against the UFCW in 2001.
 
  Wal-Mart Ordered to Recognize the Union
  June 18, 2003
  Company Ordered to Turn Over Information to Union
 
  Management Official Blows The Whistle On Human Rights Abuses At Smithfield Packing - People Of Color Targeted In Illegal
  June 12, 2003
  Atlanta Area Kickoff Point For Witness: Justice@Smithfield Community/Consumer Action Campaign - King Historic Site Hosts Premier Of Documentary Video of Human Rights Abuses at Smithfield Plant
 
  Una Ex Gerente Acusa a Smithfield Foods de Abusos a los Derechos de los Trabajadores--La Compañía Dirige Una Campaña Ile
  June 12, 2003
  El proyecto “Testigo:Justicia@Smithfield” Empieza en Atlanta. El Estreno De un Video Documentando Los Abusos Humanos de los Trabajadores de la Planta de Smithfield Ocurria en el Sitio Historico KING.
 
  Wal-Mart Benefit Book Lies; Nearly a Million Workers Misled
  June 05, 2003
  Lawsuit Seeks to Inform All Workers of Their Rights
 
  Wal-Mart's War on Workers: Frontline Report From British Columbia
  May 14, 2003
  Wal-Mart's Attack on the Union Cited in Canadian Labour Board Complaint; UFCW Wins Meeting with Workers on Company
 
  Tyson Pepperoni Gives Heartburn to Pizza Hut
  May 05, 2003
  Mass Mailing Targets Pizza Hut Customers In Corporate Greed Dispute At Tyson Pepperoni Plant
 
  Kohl's Workers Launch Grassroots Campaign to Save Their Stores
  April 16, 2003
  Area Consumers Targeted to Join Workers' Effort
 
  "Next Action Undetermined"; Stalled OSHA Regulation Leaves Workers At Risk
  April 10, 2003
  UFCW Demands DOL Enact Rule to Protect Workers
 
  Whole Foods Workers Tell the Whole Story about Whole Foods
  April 04, 2003
  Nationwide Ad Campaign Exposes Worker Issues at Natural Food Giant
 
  Whole Foods Workers Rally for a Voice at Work
  April 03, 2003
  Rally and Press Conference on Friday, April 4, 2003 at 12:45 p.m. at the Whole Foods Market 24th Street and 7th Avenue in New York
 
  Tyson Foods Uses PETA Supporter To Supply Scabs in Jefferson, Wisconsin Pepperoni Plant Strike
  March 26, 2003
  Tyson Foods is using Scott Mayer, operator of QPS Staffing Services of Greenfield, Wisconsin, and an avowed supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to provide "scabs" in a pepperoni plant strike in Jefferson, Wisconsin.
 
  GENUARDI'S WORKERS TO LAUNCH "SOS" CAMPAIGN TO SAVE OUR STORES
  March 12, 2003
  (Philadelphia, PA) Genuardi’s workers will launch a campaign to Save Our Stores at a press conference and rally on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at 12:30 p.m. Two years ago, Safeway bought the long-time Philadelphia family-owned grocery chain and has driven it into the ground. Customers and workers are deeply disappointed in Safeway’s management of our local chain. Workers are fighting back.
 
  WAL-MART'S WAR ON WORKERS:
  March 11, 2003
  Labor Board Judge Rules Retail Giant Illegally Tried to Silence Workers Wal-Mart Ordered to Remove Anti-Union Language from Benefits Materials
 
  WAL-MART'S WAR ON WORKERS: JUDGE ORDERS REINSTATEMENT, BACKPAY FOR WAL-MART WORKER
  March 11, 2003
  Wal-Mart Ordered to Remove Anti-Union Language from National Employee Benefits Materials
 
  Wal-Mart Snatches Domain Name to Block Union Talk
  March 04, 2003
  Wal-Mart takes domain name in order to block union talk
 
  Workers Strike Tyson Foods
  February 28, 2003
  Workers at the Tyson Foods plant in Jefferson, Wisc., set up picket lines after overwhelmingly rejecting a company offer that would cut wages and risk the loss of medical treatment for workers' families.
 
  WHOLE FOODS CAMPAIGN GROWS
  February 19, 2003
  Workers at the nation's largest natural food supermarket chain are building a movement for a voice on the job with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Workers at the store in Tyson's Corner, Virginia, filed for Labor Board election to join UFCW Local 400 on January 31, 2003. The election date has not been set.
 
  WAL-MART'S WAR ON WORKERS:
  February 05, 2003
  Retail Giant Faces Trial for Illegal Campaign to Suppress Worker Rights
 
  Wal-Mart Bull Buster
  January 29, 2003
  Facts about Wal-Mart
 
  Statement by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
  January 23, 2003
  UFCW Statement regarding President Bush's Smallpox Vaccination Program
 
  RAINBOW FOODS WORKERS TO STAND UP FOR FAIRNESS
  January 22, 2003
  Rally and Press Conference Planned on Friday, January 24, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. Rainbow Food Store, 6700 W. State Street—Wauwatosa
 
  DOMINO SUGAR WORKERS WIN SWEETER FUTURE
  January 13, 2003
  Domino Sugar Workers' Strike Ends with improved contract
 
  STRIKING DOMINO SUGAR WORKERS FROM BALTIMORE
  January 08, 2003
  On Wednesday, January 8, 2003, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 392 member is stepping up its pressure on Domino Sugar by reaching out to sugar workers in Savannah, Georgia. Striking workers from the Domino plant in Baltimore, Maryland have formed "Truth Squads," named for their commitment to speak the truth to consumers, workers, and the community about Domino's attempts to undermine workers' family health care and retirement security.
 
  WAL-MART'S WAR ON WORKERS:
  January 08, 2003
  Illegal Surveillance, Threats and Intimidation Marks Wal-Mart's Campaign to Suppress Worker Voices
 
  WAL-MART'S WAR ON WORKERS:
  January 07, 2003
  Labor Board Finds Wal-Mart Orchestrating Illegal Surveillance of Employees Wal-Mart Breaks the Law, Again, and Denies Workers a Voice
 
  WAL-MART'S WAR ON WORKERS:
  January 07, 2003
  Labor Board Finds Wal-Mart Orchestrating Illegal Surveillance of Employees Wal-Mart Breaks the Law, Again, and Denies Workers a Voice
 
  STRIKING DOMINO WORKERS LAUNCH TRUTH SQUAD
  January 05, 2003
  On Sunday, January 5, 2003, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), Local 392 is stepping up its pressure on Domino Sugar. Striking workers from the Domino plant in Baltimore, Maryland are forming "Truth Squads," named for their commitment to speak the truth to consumers, workers, and the community about Domino's attempts to undermine workers' family health care and retirement security.
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