Thursday, April 29, 2010
First Kroger Unity Steward Seminar
One hundred and eighty five UFCW Local 1059 Kroger stewards and staff converged with 1000 other Region 4 Kroger Stewards at the Dayton Convention Center for the first ever Kroger Stewards Unity Seminar on March 9th. Local 1059's contract does not expire until August 11, 2012, putting us last in the regional Kroger bargaining cycle.
The overriding theme of the 6 1/2 hour conference was through unity we have strength. Local 1059 President Becky Berroyer had an opportunity to address Local 1059 stewards at the end of the day. During her speech she asked if stewards would be willing to sign-up for using a day off to visit other bargaining areas if needed, to show Local 1059 support. Becky was proud to report that over 90% of the 1059 stewards in attendance were willing to travel to other UFCW locals to support them in their bargaining efforts.
President Berroyer wants to give special recognition to the two stewards who represented the Local so enthusiastically. Sharon Applin of Kroger 819 who was featured in a video that was shown during the conference and Harveena Fenton of Kroger 590 who addressed the entire seminar group and eloquently expressed Local 1059 support for the other UFCW unions in our region.
Local 1059 will provide assistance to anyone in our region who needs our help, each contract sets the tone for the next one", said President Berroyer in her concluding remarks. “Solidarity does produce contracts with higher wages, excellent health care and secured pensions.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
UFCW International Pres. on Health Care Reform
from International President Joe Hansen
I want to thank each and every one of you for your leadership, commitment, and activism in making health care reform a reality.
Sunday night an historic step was taken by the US Congress and President Obama when health care reform passed the US House of Representatives. We have been working toward this moment for decades, and never more intensely than we have over the past eighteen months.
The labor movement put forth a tremendous unified effort to support this first significant step to improve the lives of the citizens of our country. The UFCW is a leader and second to none in that effort.
There were many times over the past year when health care reform seemed out of reach. But each of you played a part, whether it was activating and leading your members, making calls, lobbying, attending rallies and protests, or taking part in other activities in the campaign, in making it a reality. You led your membership to mobilize for broad social change and you inspired UFCW members and nonunion workers alike that we really can beat high priced lobbyists with people power. Everyone should be very proud of their effort, as I am so proud of you and of the UFCW.
The passage of this registration is important to the UFCW members we all represent. It will bring regulations to the "wild west" insurance market, expand coverage, and improve affordability so that all can be covered by health insurance. And by doing so, it will tame the spiraling health insurance costs that impact all of us, our health and welfare funds, and our members. A detailed analysis of health care reform law will follow as well as more information about how we educate and mobilize our members to support those who supported health care reform.
This is an historic moment and we can all take pride in UFCW's role in making it happen. This victory is not just ours, but a victory for the American people. Congratulations!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Food and Commercial Workers Laud Passage of Sweeping Health Care Reforms
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed health care reforms that will better serve all Americans. Thanks to the commitment of President Obama and Democratic Members of Congress, we now have reform legislation that has eluded our nation’s grasp for a century. This is an achievement that will rank among the highest in our national experience. For the countless hard-working families across the country suffering at the hands of our nation's badly broken health care system, the passage of this bill represents an unprecedented leap forward in the struggle to ensure all Americans have access to affordable health care - and makes good on President Obama's promise to lead our country through the difficult challenges facing the American people on this issue. With the passage of this bill comes an end to the worst of insurance company abuses. No longer will Americans have to fear being denied health insurance due to pre-existing conditions. There will be no more lifetime limits on the dollar value of benefits. No more will insurance companies be allowed to retroactively cancel insurance coverage when a policy holder becomes ill. Aside from reigning in insurance company greed, the bill also extends coverage to millions of Americans who would otherwise go without, reduces prescription drug costs for seniors, while encouraging employers to fulfill their obligation of providing benefits to their workers. UFCW members participated in the health care debate in nearly every congressional district across the country. They made calls and wrote letters, rallied and marched, visited district offices and traveled to Washington D.C., to meet with elected representatives. UFCW members won't forget the representatives who voted "yes" on these reforms and stood with working people and families rather than the insurance company lobbyists. 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. It is the largest union of young workers with more than forty percent of our members under the age of thirty. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America's middle class by fighting for living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions, health care and immigration reform, 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, visit www.ufcw.org.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Kilde Statement on the Senate Abortion Language
Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), a staunch pro-life member of Congress, released the following statement regarding the abortion language in the Senate health insurance reform legislation:
"For those who know me, I have always respected and cherished the sanctity of human life. I spent 6 years studying to be a priest and was willing to devote my life to God. I came to Congress two years after the Hyde Amendment became law and I have spent the last 34 years casting votes to protect the lives of the unborn. I have stood up to many in my party to defend the right to life and have made no apologies for doing so. I now find myself disagreeing with some of the people and groups I have spent a lifetime working with. I have listened carefully to both sides, sought counsel from my priest, advice from family, friends and constituents and I have read the Senate abortion language more than a dozen times.
I am convinced that the Senate language maintains the Hyde Amendment, which states that no federal money can be used for abortion. The Senate bill includes a "conscience clause" and allows states to ban plans that include abortion. I also disagree with the argument that the Senate bill would lead to abortions being performed at community health centers. Under existing law (42 CFR 50.301), community health centers are prohibited from performing abortions.
We must not lose sight of what is at stake here -- the lives of 31 million American children, adults, and seniors -- who don't have health insurance. There is nothing more pro-life than protecting the lives of 31 million Americans. Voting for the bill in no way diminishes my pro-life voting record or undermines my beliefs. I am a staunch pro-life member of Congress -- both for the born and the unborn."
This site maintained by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1059
©UFCW Local 1059 - All Rights Reserved |
