Fact Finder - UFCW Local 653

Local 653
Fact Finder
Minneapolis, MN
http://ufcw653.org
Vol. 51 No. 8 September 2013
Busy Summer, Fall, and Winter for
Contract Negotiations
An Old-Timer’s
Perspective
By Matt Utecht
By Charles Newman
2013 and 2014 have been, and will continue to be, very active
with various contracts expiring, from health care to retail grocery.
The Minneapolis Retail Meat and Grocery contract negotiations
kicked off last January 2013, and were followed up with Lunds
Kitchen in April and Swanson Meats in July.
Next up is King’s County Market in St. Francis which expires
October 13, and after that the Brainerd Lakes Area contract which
expires in December. That will bring us back to January 2014 and
we will be back at the bargaining table with the Minneapolis
Retail Meat and Grocery employers.
The single biggest issue in all the contracts covered by the
Minneapolis Retail Meat Cutters and Food Handlers Health and
Welfare Fund has been the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known
as ObamaCare, which is the reason why Minneapolis Retail Meat
and Grocery, Lunds Kitchen, and Swanson Meats all ratified oneyear contracts. I suspect that may also end up being the case
with King’s County Market, St. Francis, and possibly the Brainerd
Lakes Area contracts. Time will tell, as each set of negotiations is
different from the others.
You’ve been reading about it the past few months in the Fact
Finder, and certainly the national news media has been covering
the Affordable Care Act/ObamaCare issue on a daily basis, and all
indications are we (the union and employers) should have finally
been provided enough details on the costs and ramifications of
the ACA by January to negotiate a multi-year contract with our
employers.
Overshadowed but certainly not lost in all this ACA static is
the fact that the pension and wage increases will need to be
addressed. Add it all up and you can quickly see we have some
heavy lifting ahead of us.
Bottom line is this: 2013 has been a busy year so far for contract
negotiations, and will continue that way into the new year of
2014, so please continue to stay informed on your contract by
reading the Fact Finder, visiting with your union representative,
or by all means feel free to contact me anytime at 763-525-1500.
I joined Local 653 in July of 1952, just
out of the Army and ready to start
my journey in the meat trade. The
changes have been mind boggling—
some sad, some funny.
I am writing this because most of the
old-timers are gone. You deserve and
should know that conditions, wages,
health insurance, pensions did not
exist then. My first contract we were
at $78.00 per 40 hours. We received a
$5.00 per week raise to $83.00. That
was over $2.00 per hour which we
were pleased with, but not satisfied.
A few years later I remember sitting at
the Teamster Labor Temple when we
settled for $6.00 per hour. Man, that
was 10 cents a minute!
The meat managers weren’t always
members. They received straight
salary plus a phantom bonus. When
the stores started staying open until
9:00 p.m., the cutters were making
more than the managers. They quickly
became union members.
You are saying, “What is your point?”
By being organized you are
empowered! Go to the meetings,
get involved, know your contract. Be
vigilant for what is going on around
you.
Crow Wing County Fair
Promoting our Union Stores!
By Paul Crandall
The 2013 Crow Wing County Fair again was a huge success as the team of pirates (653 staff)
sailed into Brainerd on the Black Pearl on Monday, July 29! Each year at the fair, we promote
the unionized retail grocery stores in the Brainerd Lakes area: Baxter Cub Foods, Brainerd
Cub Foods, Pequot Lakes Supervalu, SuperOne Foods in Baxter, SuperOne Foods in Crosby,
and S.A.V.E Foods in Brainerd.
Fairgoers enjoyed the fun atmosphere that surrounds the Black Pearl, as the pirates give out
chips, fruit snacks, lei necklaces, and pirates’ gold coins to the kids. Of course, the big draw
is the tickets handed out for the drawings that are held every two hours starting at noon
each day. These drawings gather large crowds and Captain Matt Utecht delivers a pointed
and passionate speech to fairgoers to please shop the union stores in the Brainerd Lakes
area. These employers provide good jobs with good wages and benefits, and the money
stays in the Brainerd area, not the case for the big box stores that have invaded town and
send the money to Arkansas or require a membership card with a fee just to get inside. We
then call off the ticket numbers for gift cards to all the stores -- and who can’t use some free
groceries? This also gets those customers into the stores. At 6:00 p.m. every night we give
away a grill or chest freezer and a $100.00 grocery gift card to go with it as the big prize.
This is the routine each day leading up to Saturday--the last day of the fair--when at 6:00
p.m. we give away a grill and a freezer--both of which come with a $100.00 union grocery
store gift card.
Each day as the fairgoers stop by the ship they ask, “What is all this about?” It gives us an
opportunity to tell them that we are the local union that represents the workers in these
stores, and it’s an excellent opportunity to promote our workers’ talents.
This year it was nice to see all the members of Local 653 that work in the area stop by to say
hello, and Matt recognized as many as he could on the microphone—even their children—
and then asked the crowd to shop their stores. I want to thank all the 653 employers who
helped make the fair a success with their donations, and the entire staff of Local 653 who
put in long hours and a lot of hard work to make this event sail as smoothly as it did.
Pg 2 - Fact Finder - September 2013
Pirates P
numbers
Big cr
Pirates and happy daycare fairgoers
Paul and Greg calling off the
s
Excitement builds as Suzi
hands out gift cards
The sweet sound of the union
button song
Captain Matt with the winner
of a grill and a $100 gift card
rowds for freezer give away
Captain Matt with loyal fairgoer
Captain Matt with winner of $100 gift
card and freezer
Lucky $100 gift card and grill winner
The Black Pearl all set up
September 2013 - Fact Finder - Pg 3
....Anniversary Recognition Dinner ................................................
By Matt Utecht
On September 18, 2013, we will be hosting our third annual Anniversary Recognition Dinner to honor members who have reached
25 years in Local 653. We feel it is important to recognize our members and their spouses or guests who have dedicated their
lives to our industries and who have helped build this union into what it is today.
All members who have reached 25 years of service in Local 653 between July 1, 2012 and June
DATE: WEDNESDAY,
30, 2013 will be receiving an invitation in the mail for the member and a guest to attend the
SEPT. 18, 2013
dinner. (Important: If you fall into this group and haven’t received your invitation by the time
TIME: 5:00 TO 8:00 P.M.
you receive this issue of the Fact Finder, please contact Julie in our office at 763-525-1500.)
We’re asking that you respond to your invitation by September 6, 2013.
PLACE:HALL 653
We look forward to seeing all of you who have reached this milestone in your career.
Follow Me
on Twitter
By Jim Schommer
Local 653 invites you to join us for our 3rd annual
Halloween Harvest
Festival
When: Sunday, October 27, 2013
12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Camp 653 - Monticello, MN
Price: $5.00 per family
Included activities: hay rides, face painting, jump house,
pumpkin decorating and more!
Included food: brats, hot dogs, and apple cider
Halloween Harvest Festival Registration Form
Name:
Phone #:
Store:
Attendance:
# of adults ______ + # of kids ______ = Total #of people ______
Cost:
$5 per family. Please make checks payable to UFCW Local 653.
Pg 4 - Fact Finder - September 2013
I’m now on Twitter! You can
follow me at #JimUFCW653,
or search UFCW Local 653.
I’ve slowly been getting
myself out on Twitter. You
can follow me for a lot of
useful information on what’s
happening here and around
the country when it comes
to organizing, union issues,
politics, and just what’s
happening here at our local.
It is a very useful tool when
it comes to communicating
and getting a message out
or following what is going
on with a certain subject or
issue. Give me a follow, or
send me a tweet, and keep
up with all that is happening
here or elsewhere across the
country when it comes to
union issues.
Please mail in payment and
registration form to our office
by Thursday, October 24.
UFCW Local 653
Attn: Halloween Harvest
13000 63rd Ave N
Maple Grove, MN 55369
UFCW Local 653
13000 63rd Avenue North
Maple Grove, MN 55369
www.ufcw653.org
763-525-1500 or 1-800-292-4105
Matthew P. Utecht, President
Richard Milbrath, Secretary-Treasurer
CORPORATE CUB FOODS: Apple Valley, Bloomington,
Burnsville HOTC, Burnsville South, Chanhassen, Eagan
West, Eagan East, Lakeville, Lakeville South, Rosemount, Savage, Shorewood
Paul Crandall, Assistant to the President
The vision for Hall 653 is to create
coexistence between the banquet hall
and UFCW Local 653’s industry. To
do that, we have intentionally chosen
a catering company that is related to UFCW Local 653.
By strategically working with Kowalski’s Catering as our
exclusive caterer we have developed special pricing for
our members to host any type of event at Hall 653. Kowalski’s Catering is
happy to help plan your event from start to finish, will provide incredible
menus to choose from, and will deliver first class service on your special day.
We look forward to this partnership with Kowalski’s. Please feel free
to inquire about availability for your event at Hall 653 by calling 763398-1545, or emailing us at: [email protected]. We would be happy
to show you the space and answer any questions you might have.
You will need to contact Kowalski’s Catering directly for any menu pricing
information. You can call them at (888)972-7890 or you can inquire by
emailing: [email protected].
SAVE THE DATE!!!
Watch for your invitation to the
2013 Health Fair
Sunday, October 6, 2013
12:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
UFCW Local 653 Union Hall
13000 63rd Avenue N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
FREE TO ALL ELIGIBLE UFCW LOCAL 653
•
•
•
•
•
•
MEMBERS & ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS
Flu shot
Pneumonia shot
TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
Hearing screenings
Onsite Health Screening
Blood pressure check***Cholesterol and blood glucose
check***Body mass index
• Chair massage
• And much more, including fun for all and door prizes!
Food, beverages and entertainment will be provided throughout the event.
FRESH SEASONS MARKET: Minnetonka, Victoria
JERRY’S FOODS: Jerry’s Sausage
Brainerd / Baxter Cub Foods - S.A.V.E Foods - Baxter Super One - Crosby Super One - Pequot Lakes Supervalu
- Byerly’s St. Cloud
Business Representatives
Steve Milner
LUNDS: Lake Street, Central, Edina, Richfield, Minnetonka, Bloomington, Wayzata, Navarre, Plymouth,
Hennepin, Lunds Kitchen, Trainers/Drivers
BYERLY’S: Edina, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Ridgedale, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Eagan, Maple Grove
BONE MARCHE’: St. Louis Park
Bill Spartz
Homestead at Anoka - Golden Living (Bloomington
& Chateau) - Bryn Mawr - Park Health & Rehab - ABM
(Bloomington & Chateau) - Innsbruck Healthcare - Oaklawn Healthcare - Gold Cross - Brede’s - Hirshfield’s
CORPORATE CUB FOODS: Monticello
KOWALSKI’S MARKETS: Lyndale, Eagan, Hennepin,
Chicago, Eden Prairie
Doug Rigert
Sullivan’s Supervalu - Bergan’s Supervalu
JERRY’S CUB FOODS: Bloomington, Brookdale, Eden
Prairie, Knollwood, Lake Street, Nicollet, Rogers, Southdale, West Broadway
JERRY’S FOODS: Edina, Eden Prairie, Jerry’s Enterprises
Greg Larson
Ingebretsen’s - Everett’s Foods - Nelson Meats - Swanson Meats - Cooper’s County Market - Almsted’s Fresh
Market - Village Market - Jubilee Foods - Cub Foods Shakopee - Driskill’s Foods - Oxendale’s Market
KNOWLAN’S FESTIVAL FOODS: Andover, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park
Nancy Vaillancourt
CORPORATE CUB FOODS: Blaine North, Blaine South,
Brooklyn Park North, Brooklyn Park South, Coon Rapids
South, Crystal, Champlin, Fridley, Maple Grove, Silver
Lake Road, Rockford Road, New Brighton, Vicksburg
CUB FOODS - Coon Rapids (Williston), Minnetonka
(Haug)
JERRY’S CUB: Elk River
Organizer: Jim Schommer
RAINBOW FOODS: Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington,
Brooklyn Park, Chaska, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids,
Eagan, Eden Prairie, Lake Street, Lakeville, Maple Grove,
Plymouth (6th Ave), Plymouth Station, Quarry, Richfield,
Savage, St. Louis Park, Uptown
KING’S COUNTY MARKET: Andover
Matt Utecht
KING’S COUNTY MARKET: St. Francis
September 2013 - Fact Finder - Pg 5
“OUR” Walmart –
Organization United for
Respect at Walmart
By Jim Schommer
Back in July I attended a oneday training on the Summer
for Respect campaign against
Walmart, and I learned a lot
about OUR Walmart. OUR
Walmart is an independent
organization made up entirely
of current and former hourly
Walmart associates.
The class was taught by Silvia
Fabela from Making a Change
at Walmart, and Peter Diaz
from OUR Walmart. They were
both very informative, and we
learned a lot about what OUR
Walmart is. (See brochure at
right). We also learned how to
engage associates, how to plan
a direct action against Walmart,
and how to set up work plans
and logistics. We then put what
we learned to the test and
visited some area Walmarts in
Madison, Wisconsin, where the
training was held. I will tell you
it is a tough sell--the associates
were very afraid to talk to anyone
about their jobs and employer. It
was very eye opening.
If you know anyone working at
Walmart, a friend, neighbor, or
a relative, have them take a look
at their website: ForRespect.
org, or on Facebook: facebook.
com/ourwalmart. It is there to
help them hold Walmart to a
higher standard and treat their
associates with the RESPECT
they deserve. Follow me on
twitter at #jimUFCW653 for any
new information that may come
up, and coming soon you can
follow us on Facebook.
Pg 6 - Fact Finder - September 2013
“Nuestro” WalmartOrganización Unida por el
Respeto en Walmart
Por Jim Schommer
Durante el mes de Julio asistí a
un día de entrenamiento durante
la campaña Verano por Respeto
contra Walmart, y aprendí mucho
sobre NUESTRO Walmart. NUESTRO
Walmart es una organización
independiente
constituida
enteramente por empleados de
Walmart actuales y pasados. La clase
fue impartida por Silvia Fabela de
Haciendo un Cambio en Walmart,
y Peter Díaz de NUESTRO Walmart.
Ambos fueron bastante informativos,
y aprendimos muchísimo sobre lo
que NUESTRO Walmart es. (Lea el
panfleto) También aprendimos como
interactuar con los empleados, cómo
planear y dirigir una acción contra
Walmart, y de cómo hacer planes
de trabajo y logística. Y después,
pusimos a prueba lo que habíamos
aprendido y visitamos algunos
Walmarts en Madison, Wisconsin, a
dónde el entrenamiento tomó lugar.
Les diré que es algo difícil---- los
empleados tenían mucho miedo de
hablar con alguien sobre sus empleos
y empleador. Fue muy revelador.
Si usted sabe de alguien que trabaje
en Walmart, tiene un amigo, o un
familiar, invítelo a ver la pagina
cibernética: ForRepect.org, o en
el Facebook: facebook.com/our
walmart. Esta allí para elevar los
niveles de Walmart y para que traten
a sus empleados con el RESPETO
que estos se merecen. Síganme en
twitter #jimUFCW653 por cualquier
información que aparezca, y muy
pronto nos podrá seguir en Facebook.
September 2013 - Fact Finder - Pg 7
2013 UFCW Local 653
JACOB SIMMER
AMANDA WEISS
My name is Amanda Weiss. I currently work at the Andover Festival
Foods. I went to Andover Senior
High and played tennis. I’ve been a
Girl Scout since first grade and plan
to continue as an adult volunteer. I
enjoy traveling, and my intended
major is International Business with
a minor in French. I will be starting
classes in the 2013 fall semester.
(son of Katherine Simmer of Cub
Foods in Minnetonka)
Jacob is a 2010 graduate of
Minnetonka High School. He is
pursuing a degree in mechanical
engineering from the University of
Minnesota. He is an Eagle Scout
who enjoys the outdoors. He
hopes to one day work for a motor
sports company working with
snowmobiles and ATVs. MICHAEL SEWARD
(son of Greg Seward of
Hirshfield’s in Coon Rapids)
TYLER HELGESON
I am currently employed at Cub Foods in
Lakeville. I have been working there for
over eight years. I just got promoted to be a
stocker a month ago. Working at Cub Foods
has given me the customer service skills I will
need in my future.
I am attending Dakota County Technical
College in Rosemount. I am majoring in
Graphic Design and Photography. These
have always been my interests. I would like
to use both of these when I graduate.
I completed high school
at Champlin Park, class
of 2013. I participated in
five years of Nordic skiing
with the Rebels ski team,
and two years in various
positions with the Champlin
Park Marching Rebels. I
plan to finish my business
degree at North Dakota
State University and one
day open a music store of
my own, making and selling
my own guitars.
ASPEN DEVRIES (daughter of Kristin deVries of Cub Foods in Crystal)
This year I will be a senior at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, where I am majoring in mathematics
and minoring in physics. I began my college education in high school through the PSEO program. As
a junior and senior in high school, I received high school and college credit for courses I took at the
University of Minnesota. While there, I pursued my love of physics and math, while strengthening my
creative writing and musical skills. My main instrument is piano, though I also play harp and violin.
Music has always been and continues to be a major source of inspiration for me. When I graduated high school, I decided to attend Haverford College rather than continue at the
University because I wanted to experience the close-knit community that is the Haverford population,
as well as the excellent academics offered there. While at Haverford, I’ve worked as a teaching assistant
both in math and in physics and have done research in astrophysics. More specifically, I did a project on
Modified Newtonian Dynamics, which is an alternative theory to Dark Matter in explaining why galaxies
rotate the way they do. Mathematics and physics have been interests of mine for as long as I can remember. They offer keys to
contemplating and occasionally understanding the extraordinary complexities of our world and beyond. I’m currently doing research for my undergraduate thesis which will likely be focused on the patterns
of sound vibrations on various surfaces. The subject of my thesis was inspired by a math colloquium at
Haverford centered around whether you can hear the shape of a drum (i.e. see https://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Hearing_the_shape_of_a_drum). After graduation, I hope to attend graduate school in Mathematical Physics or a related field. Pg 8 - Fact Finder - September 2013
Scholarship Winners
MOHAMMED ISLAM
I am Mohammed, and my home country is Bangladesh. I moved to the USA in 1997 and started working at Lunds on Lake Street in 1998. It
has been a long time since I am out of school.
Now as my family is growing, and I feel I would
like to go back to school and do something better to support my financial need. From this fall
2013, I will be a full-time student at MCTC in
the ENDT (Electroneurodiagnostic Technology)
program. I have already finished all my requirement classes and so far my GPA is 4.0. I have
a wonderful wife Moonmoon and two children
named Sadman and Raima.
LAUREN VALENCOUR
(daughter of Robert
Valencour of Kowalski’s in
Eagan)
I am a 2012 graduate of
North Saint Paul High
School. I attended the
College of Saint Benedict
for my freshman year
of college, and will be
attending the University
of Wisconsin – River Falls
to pursue a degree in
elementary education. I
have been dancing since
I was three years old, and
will be dancing on the
competition line at River
Falls.
SARAH BRUGGENTHIES
My name is Sarah Bruggenthies and I am
20 years old. I graduated in 2011 from St.
Francis Senior High School. I have worked
at King’s County Market in St. Francis since
Homestead at Anoka
May of 2012. I am currently a customer
service representative and loving my job. I
was just accepted into the nursing program
at Anoka Ramsey Community College and
will be beginning this two-year-long journey
to becoming a Registered Nurse at the end of
August. JOSH MARTIN
(Bergan’s SuperValu)
Josh graduated from Washburn High school in
Minneapolis. He lettered in soccer, baseball,
golf, and hockey. His favorite sport is hockey
and he has been playing since he was nine.
He will be attending Augsburg College this fall
and will be majoring in Biology with hopes of
then continuing on to Vet School at the U of M
after his four years at Augsburg. He is minoring
in Physical Therapy.
Josh will be working on campus as an Events
Staff Assistant part time throughout school
and then working for them in the summer full
time. This job will eventually include driving the
Zamboni during and after hockey games and ice
skating competitions.
KELSEY NEU
(Rainbow in Bloomington)
My name is Kelsey Gene Neu and I am 18 years old. I
grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and moved to
Bloomington in 2006. I attended John F. Kennedy High
School for all four years of my high school career and
recently graduated with the Class of 2013. I was asked
to wear a stole at graduation to represent the African
American community which was a tremendous honor.
I will be attending Minneapolis Business College this fall,
studying to become a Medical Assistant. My ultimate goal
is to one day further my education and go to school to be
a Registered Nurse to work in the NICU at a local hospital.
September 2013 - Fact Finder - Pg 9
La Seguridad en el Trabajo
Be Safe at Work
Por Rick Milbrath
By Rick Milbrath
Casi todos nosotros estamos de acuerdo que los humanos son influenciados
frecuentemente por sus hábitos. Los hábitos y la seguridad en el trabajo están
muy relacionados. Si usted forma hábitos seguros en el trabajo, es una ventaja
para usted, sus compañeros de trabajo y a largo plazo, para la compañía para la
cual usted trabaja.
Most of us would probably agree that humans are quite often
influenced by habits. Habits and job safety are closely related.
If you form safe work habits, it’s a big plus for safety towards
yourself, coworkers and in the long run, your company.
Mientras usted busca detectar peligros, usted no solamente debe de considerar
los peligros obvios, pero también los peligros que podrían aparecer de repente
debido a las acciones de otro empleado o una cadena de circunstancias inusuales.
La indiferencia es otro elemento humano que podría conducir a una condición
de trabajo insegura. Un individuo podría saber la manera segura y correcta para
ejecutar su trabajo y simplemente ignorarlo. O podría haber personas quienes
no saben los procedimientos de seguridad y simplemente lo dejan así, en lugar
de averiguar cuales son los procesos de seguridad.
By constantly being on the lookout for hazards, you must
consider not just obvious ones, but also hazards which might
suddenly appear through some action of another employee
or chain of unusual circumstances. Indifference is another
human element that can lead to unsafe working conditions. An
individual might know the correct and safe procedures for doing
his or her particular job and just ignore them. Or there might be
persons who don’t know safety procedures and just leave it at
that, rather than finding out what they are.
El trabajar sin miedo es otro elemento obvio que puede resultar en un accidente.
El trabajar sin resguardos y el tomar los caminos cortos son ejemplos de
las tácticas peligrosas. El jugar alrededor de la maquinaria está en la misma
categoría.
Being daring is another obvious human element that can lead
to a job accident. Working without guards and taking shortcuts
are examples of daredevil tactics. Horseplay around power
equipment is in the same category.
El poner el mal ejemplo puede conducir también a problemas. Las acciones
de todos nosotros influencian el estado mental de seguridad de los otros
trabajadores, particularmente a los trabajadores nuevos. SI un trabajador que ha
laborando por muchos años opera de manera insegura en el trabajo, un nuevo
empleado lo puede observar y puede comenzar a operar de la misma manera.
Una persona podría incorporar hábitos inseguros en el trabajo y continuar
operando de la misma manera hasta que un accidente suceda. Algunas personas
podrían no tener tanta suerte. Estas personas podrían aprender rápidamente
como el trabajar de manera insegura puede conducir a un accidente repentino.
El jugar con las leyes del azar podría ser una mala apuesta.
Setting a poor example also can lead to trouble. The actions of
all of us have an influence on the safety-mindedness of other
workers, particularly newcomers. If a veteran employee is
involved in an unsafe act on the job, a new worker might observe
it and be swayed to adopt the same practice. A person might
incorporate unsafe habits into the job and continue them for a
long time before a mishap occurs. Other people might not be so
fortunate. They could learn quickly how an unsafe act can catch
up with them unexpectedly. Gambling with the law of averages
is a bad bet.
Otra debilidad en la cadena de seguridad es alguien quien es impulsivo o
siempre está de prisa. La prisa es una característica que frecuentemente condice
a accidentes. Nosotros estamos utilizando nuestro tiempo de manera tonta si no
tomamos el tiempo para estar seguros. El temperamento malo cae dentro de la
misma categoría, y lo cual se presenta en la forma de impaciencia. El entrenarse
o la falta de entrenamiento, también es un factor de seguridad. La dirección
de manejo de personal tiene la responsabilidad de entrenar al empleado para
que este ejecute su trabajo de manera segura. Sin embargo, como empleado,
debemos de ser responsables lo suficiente para hacer preguntas si uno no
entiende las instrucciones, o si se tienen dudas sobre los procedimientos del
trabajo. También, es básico que se reporten situaciones de inseguridad a la
dirección en turno.
Another weak link in the chain of safety is someone who is
impulsive or always in a hurry. Haste is a trait that often leads to
accidents. We are using our time foolishly if we don’t take time to
be safe. Temper issues fall into the same category, as they usually
flare up on the job in the form of impatience. Training, or lack of
it, is also a safety factor. Management is responsible for training
an employee to do the job safely. However, as an employee,
we have to be responsible enough to ask questions if we don’t
understand instructions, or are in doubt about procedures. Also,
it’s very basic to safety that any and all hazardous situations be
called to the attention of management on duty.
Principalmente y más que todo, el propósito de todos los esfuerzos de seguridad
es el prevenir los accidentes y heridas a los seres humanos. Como seres humanos,
todos tenemos la inclinación de escoger los métodos fáciles para hacer las
cosas, o la manera más rápida para hacerlo, sin importar la seguridad. Nosotros
hacemos nuestro trabajo día con día y en ese proceso los hábitos buenos se
forman. Pero también los hábitos malos, al menos que hagamos un esfuerzo de
corregirlos.
First and foremost, the purpose of all safety efforts is to prevent
accidents and injuries to human beings. As human beings, we
all have the inclination to choose the easy method of doing
something, or the fastest way to do it, without regard to safety.
We do our jobs from day to day and in the process good habits
are formed. But so are unsafe habits, unless we make every
effort to break them.
ABM Takes Over in Two Nursing Home Facilities
By Bill Spartz
Earlier this year ABM Janitorial Services was awarded the contract from Golden Living Nursing Home Centers. The contract was previously held by
Health Care Services and they were under a Local 653 bargaining agreement. Conversations between ABM and Local 653 were held and ABM took
on all the employees in the Bloomington and Chateau facilities.
In May, Paul Crandall and I sat down with ABM and put together a contract for those employees. When a new employer takes over a company
and hires back a majority of the employees, they must recognize us as the bargaining agent. They do not have to recognize the contract that was
in place. We met several times and came to a tentative agreement. Both facilities ratified the agreements, and we now have contracts with ABM
Janitorial Services. I would like to say that the representatives from ABM were professional, respectful, fair, and we enjoyed working with them to
move this group forward. The employees are happy as well and we thank them for their patience through this process.
Pg 10 - Fact Finder - September 2013
“Lie to Me”
Always Be Mindful to Keep
Your Receipts
By Steve Milner
By Doug Rigert
Most of you already know how to and do all you can to be a valuable
employee for the company that hired you. Being on time for work,
following company policies, having a positive attitude, doing more
than is expected of you, and making the shopping experience for the
customers so pleasant and helpful that they enjoy it, feel appreciated,
and keep coming back are just a few examples.
There is one thing, however, that you can overlook that in spite of all
that could put you in a very difficult spot and cause you to lose your
job: not paying for, or simply forgetting to hold onto your receipt for
any item(s) purchased at the store. I understand that nobody likes
to be accused of stealing or dishonesty, however, employers would
also prefer not to have to find themselves having to confront the
possibility that someone they trust is a thief. It is an awkward and
uncomfortable situation for everyone involved, even though the
employer has the right to do so. The best way to avoid or minimize
the chance of this ever happening to you is to remember to pay for
any item(s) not brought with you to work and ALWAYS, ALWAYS hold
onto receipts for all purchases you make while at work. This is the
best proof you can have if you are ever wrongly accused. Please don’t
put your livelihood or job in jeopardy for something as simple as no
receipt. You work too hard and have too much to lose to let this
happen to you!
“Lie to Me” is the title of a song by Johnny Lang. I wish I was writing
about a song, but unfortunately that is not the case. The people who
work in this office get many calls, and some of them are from members
who have gotten themselves in trouble. We will work very hard to get
the matter resolved, and sometimes get the member back to work.
In all of these cases we will do an investigation which requires us to
talk with management and sometimes to other members. We attempt
to get the honest answers to our questions. In some situations we are
hampered in the investigations by the members themselves. What I
mean by that is sometimes they do not tell us the full truth about
the situation and the cause for the disciplinary action. We will never
judge you; we are here to help, but we cannot do a good job without
the truth.
Please, when you call this office looking for help or advice, it makes the
job at hand easier if we have the whole truth. Again, we are not here
to judge. Please do not lie to me.
Union Yes
United We Bargain – Divided We Beg
Going Back To College?
¿Regresando a la Escuela?
By Greg Larson
Por Greg Larson
It is your responsibility to get your withdrawal card. Whether
you are leaving the industry to further your education, for
a personal, medical or military leave, or simply leaving the
industry, remember to request your withdrawal card.
Si de alguna manera usted está renunciando para ir a la escuela y educarse más,
por una ausencia personal, por una ausencia medica o militar, o simplemente
usted esta renunciando a su industria. Recuerde de solicitar su tarjeta de
renuncia.
To be eligible for your withdrawal card, your initiation fee must
be paid in full and your union dues current. You must make
the request within 45 days from your last day of employment.
If you come back into the industry and leave again, you must
request another withdrawal card.
Para ser elegible para recibir su tarjeta de renuncia, su costo de iniciación debe
de ser completamente pagado y sus pagos de membresía deben de estar al
corriente. Usted debe de solicitar la tarjeta dentro de 45 días desde su último
día de empleo. Si usted regresa a trabajar a su industria y sale de nuevo, usted
debe de solicitar otra tarjeta de renuncia.
To request a withdrawal card, you can call or email the UFCW
Local 653 office: 763-525-1500 or 1-800-292-4105; our email
address is [email protected]. You can also fill out the form
below and mail it to the UFCW Local 653 office: 13000 63rd
Avenue N, Maple Grove, MN 55369.
Para solicitar una tarjeta de renuncia. Usted puede llamar o mandar un correo
electrónico a la oficina de la UFCW Local 653: 763-525-1500 o 1-800-2924105; nuestra dirección de correo electrónico es [email protected]. Usted
también puede llenar el formato que sigue y mandarlo por correo a la oficina
de la UFCW Local 653: 13000 63rd Avenue N, Maple Grove, MN 55369.
Withdrawal Card Request Form
SSN (last four numbers)
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Employer
Last Day of Employment
September 2013 - Fact Finder - Pg 11
UFCW Local 653
Members:
Retiree’s Club Meeting Notice
Knights of Columbus Marian Hall
1114 American Blvd. W.
Bloomington, MN 55420
Thursday, September 19
10:00 a.m Cards
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Speaker
United Food & Commercial
Workers Union, Local 653
13000 63rd Avenue N.
Maple Grove, MN 55369
763-525-1500 or 1-800-292-4105
Change Service Requested
What: Light the Night Walk!
When: Sunday September 22, 2013 (Rain or shine!)
Where:Target Field
1 Twins Way
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Time:
4:00 p.m. Registration
6:00 p.m. Survivor Photo
6:45 p.m. Program
7:15 p.m. Walk
(The walk is two miles. Strollers and wheelchairs will have
accessibility between Sections 131 & 132. No pets are permitted).
Please join our team and raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!
If you raise $100 you will receive a free t-shirt, free food and an illuminated balloon the night of the walk!
Please sign up at:
http://pages.lightthenight.org/mn/TwinCiti13/ufcwlocal653
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Amanda at 763-525-1500
or email [email protected] .
For more information:
Thea Gullekson:
952-831-3143
Char Hanson:
612-869-9035
or Marlen Wahl:
952-888-3220
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 2899
Twin Cities, MN