Benefits Away From the Bargaining Table
by Rebecca Berroyer, Local 1059 President
As the dog days of summer set in, you may be looking for ways to get away from the work grind and relax with family and friends. This year in particular, finding the time and money for fun may be more difficult than usual. Gas prices are racing past $4.00/gallon and the economy is trudging slowly along. Your union has been with you in the fight for fair pay and good benefits in the workplace, and Local 1059 is also working on many benefits to offer outside your store or plant this summer.
Your union contract provides many benefits rare among unorganized workers. For instance, we are able to negotiate significantly better wages for our members than the average worker in this industry. According to census numbers, union cashiers alone make about a third more than non-union cashiers. Together, we are raising the bar for workers by holding strong for better wages in our contracts.
The differences are even more pronounced when we compare health insurance between union and non-union workers. While over 4 out of 5 union workers have job-related health care coverage, less than half of non-union workers can say the same. Moreover, we are able to ensure the quality of our health coverage is among the best in nation. These achievements are possible because of the strength and commitment of our members demanding their fair share of benefits in their union-negotiated contracts.
But the benefits of union membership extend beyond the major accomplishments we see through collective bargaining. Particularly helpful during a summer of rising prices on virtually everything, discounts and affordable family events available through the Union can give members and their families a chance to relax and have fun. The 17,000 members that make up UFCW Local 1059 allow us the opportunity to secure some excellent deals for travel. Gasoline prices have given us all headaches this year, so Local 1059 is proud to offer affordable travel alternatives. For instance, the union just finished a very successful trip to New York City with bus travel and hotel included. The excursion was so successful, we're already looking into offering a similar package this fall.
Another very popular travel option is our NASCAR trip to the Michigan International Speedway in August. The trip includes travel by chartered bus, a boxed lunch, and admission to the race. At $119 for the whole package, the tickets sold out quickly. Other travel opportunities we have offered this summer include day trips to the Argosy on August 5 and GreekTown later in October.
The Union has also arranged for several family outings to amusement parks and the Columbus Zoo. We will continue our annual Kings Island summer picnic this year on July 2. Tickets must be purchased in advance from your Union Representative or the Local Office. For only $25, members get admission to the park and a delicious summer picnic that day. We have negotiated significant discounts from Cedar Point in order to offer two "Membership Appreciation" days on June 25 and August 3. For those days, UFCW Local 1059 members can enter the park for just $23 (regular price is $43). Finally, the Local is introducing a family picnic at the Columbus Zoo on July 27, which includes food, parking, and admission to both the Zoo and its new waterpark Zoombezi Bay.
If you can't make it to one these great Union functions, you can always purchase discounted tickets every weekday by calling the Local Office. Again, our strong union membership allows us to offer affordable tickets to movie theaters, theme parks, water parks, and zoos. We are especially excited to offer baseball tickets to see the Cincinnati Reds at half price this summer. The Local 1059 discount is available for selected Reds home games, which you can find listed in this issue of the UnionWize.
The discounts and events I've discussed come in addition to other benefits we offer to our members year-round. Members with one year of continuous service prior to the birth of a child can get a free car seat by talking with their Union Representative. Those members pursuing a degree at the undergraduate or graduate level can apply for a Union Scholarship in February of every year. In April, the Union awards eight $1,500 college scholarships to members or children of members to help with their studies.
It's important to find time for leisure and peace of mind in the business of your daily life. We as union members have a lot of work ahead of us in the fall. Kroger members know that tough negotiations await as their contract expires in November. But they are not the only ones. Bargaining will also begin for Dallas Lamb, the Professionals Guild of Ohio, Sugar Creek Packing, Birchwood Foods, and South Shore Foodland before the end of the year.
Moreover, the fall will also bring the 2008 General Election. Beyond the presidential race, our representatives and other public officials will be up for election. Also important is the Paid Sick Days Initiative, which could bring 7 paid sick days to the workers of Ohio if passed on the November ballot. We will be working hard to register voters, talk to union households about the issues, and get out the vote. The colder months will prove to be very busy for our membership.
Businesses and executives are seeing profits while middle class families are struggling all over the country. The disparity between those benefiting from the high prices of consumer goods and those buying the goods is appalling. CEOs are making over 400 times as much as the average employee. More than ever, the workers of the middle class need the strength of the Union to get the benefits they deserve. In hard economic times, the advantages of union membership are tested and proven: Union members have guaranteed contract wages that are 30% higher than non-union workers, on average.
Even as the economy makes it difficult to get away, Local 1059 is doing its best to provide affordable opportunities to have some fun and enjoy the sun. Best wishes on a safe and enjoyable summer, and I hope to see many of you at any number of the great events offered in the coming months.
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