We  wish to extend a warm welcome to our new Union Representative, Brad Springer who comes to us from Anchorage Eastgate Carrs/Safeway Store #1809.  He has been a Union member since July 1988, where he has worked primarily in Produce as a Department Head and more recent as a Dairy Manager and an Assistant in Grocery. He has been a Shop Steward since 2006 and became an E-Board Vice-President in January 2010.  He has been involved in the UFCW and we know he will continue to be an asset to our organization.  He will be handling stores #520, #1812, #1817 and the Mat-Su Valley for both Carrs and Fred Meyer Wasilla Meat and Seafood Department.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAINS AGAIN EXTEND LABOR CONTRACTS

 Three Northern California supermarket chains have agreed to another contract extension with the labor unions that represents their stores’ grocery clerks and butchers.  Raley’s agreed to extend the contract with UFCW Local 8 until Jan. 24.  Safeway and Save Mart extended their contract until Feb 25,  Representatives of UFCW local 5, Local 8 and Local 648 have been in talks with the grocers for the past several months over wages and medical costs, and the impact of non-union competition.

UFCW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

 The UFCW International Union has administered a scholarship program for more than 45 years.  Through this program, our Union has been able to support higher education for UFCW member and their dependents.  For the 2012 awards, the International will continue to accept online applications from any student who has graduated from high school, will be graduating in the spring of 2012, or has received their GED.  This year, the application will be available from January 16 through April 16, 2012 and will award at least six scholarships worth up to $8,000 each over four years.  For more information, complete rules and eligibility requirements, or to apply, please visit www.ufcw.org/scholarship.

DUES INCREASE POSTPONED

On October 20, 2011, the International Executive Board met in Chicago to review the finances of the International Union and to consider exercising its authority to increase Union membership dues.  They have decided to postpone the dues increase and  will meet again in January and May of 2012 to determine if they need to increase dues  at a later date to ensure the International Union has sufficient resources to carry out its objectives and goals.

SHOP LIFTING POLICY

Do you know your policy and procedures at your workplace?  Don’t risk your job or injury trying to detain an alleged shoplifter.  A detention should be made only by Loss Prevention personnel or store personnel designated by management,  It is every Union Member’s responsibility to know and follow company policy and procedures.  DO NOT rely exclusively on your co-workers when it comes to what is acceptable practice at the store.  In some cases, Union Members have been disciplined because they were unsure about the policy and relied on what they thought to be okay.  If you have any questions on policies or procedures or don’t understand what something means, please ask a supervisor to provide the information you need or contact your company human resources or the Union office for clarification.

KNOW YOUR CLASSIFICATION/JOB DESCRIPTION

Courtesy Clerks—If you are a Courtesy Clerk you should not be performing duties in other departments. If you are asked to work in an other department (defined as, anything other than cleaning) the Employer shall pay you for work performed at Junior Apprentice/Helper Clerk rate of pay. Agreements can vary in different areas so check your Union contract for specifics.

Junior Apprentices/Helper Clerks—If you are working as a Junior Apprentice/Helper Clerk your duties may include training in all phases of store operations except Meat Department and Checking.

Combination Clerks—If you are a Combination Clerk and have performed duties in more than one department, you should contact (E.S.C.) Safeway Employee Service Center at 888-255-2269 and make sure that all your hours accrued are combined.

MAIL OUT PHARMACY

The mail out pharmacy (Alaska Managed Care Pharmacy) is available not only in Alaska but throughout the United States. If you are on a maintenance prescription, the mail out pharmacy is very convenient; your prescription is filled for 3 months at a time and mailed directly to your door. Transfer your prescription to Alaska Managed Care Pharmacy or give them a call at 800-730-2627.

BEECHSTREET NETWORK

You may be eligible for savings on medical costs through the Beechstreet Network. Beechstreet negotiates a fee schedule with participating providers. If the provider charges more than the negotiated rate the difference is deducted from your balance in the form of a discount. The Network is also available outside of Alaska. Look up eligible providers at beechstreet.com.

UFCW MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS

 As summer approaches, most members are not aware of Union Plus and the savings that they automatically qualify for on things like travel, car rentals, Theme Parks, school loans, motor club, flower service, legal service, moving discounts, fitness clubs and these are just to name a few.  For more information on Union Plus benefits, check out www.unionplus.org.  If you have any questions or do not have web access, please call the Local 1496 office at 258-1496 or toll free within the state of Alaska at 1-800-478-1496.

ORGANIZING

As you know, UFCW represents workers in a variety of occupations and because of that is not limited to organizing workers strictly within the retail grocery industry. UFCW Local 1496 is the largest private employer Union in the state of Alaska and one of the largest at the International level with almost 1.5 million Members throughout North America. The potential to grow our Membership in Alaska is huge. Non-Union Working Families in Alaska are fighting for fairness in their workplace, affordable healthcare, and employer paid pensions.  Every worker has the right to form or join a Union, and UFCW Local 1496 wants to help be their voice on the job. If you know of anyone who is interested in making improvements at their workplace, please encourage them to call us at (907) 258-1496 or 1-800-478-1496. or log on to www.ufcw1496.org for lots helpful information on who we are and how we can help.

WITHDRAWAL CARD DON’T FORGET

If at any time you are going to be off the schedule for 30 days or more for any reason, be sure to call the Union office at 258-1496 (or 1-800-478-1496) to request a withdrawal card.
The withdrawal card is honored throughout the United States and Canada. The withdrawal card does not affect your insurance eligibility, which is based on the hours reported by your Employer.
You are not required to pay dues while you are withdrawn. Upon returning to work you are required to notify the Union within 30 days.

LOCAL 1496 STRIKE FEE

In June 1982 Local 1496 established a Strike and Defense Fund.
The fund is utilized to help with organizing campaigns in defense of our contracts, and to provide for members in the event a strike becomes necessary .
The fee is a one time payment of $25.00, and must be paid in order to receive a withdraw card.

EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT

“I support this bill because in order to restore a sense of shared prosperity and security, we need to help working Americans exercise their right to organize under a fair and free process and bargain for their fair share of the wealth our country creates.
The current process for organizing a workplace denies too many workers the ability to do so. The Employee Free Choice Act offers to make binding an alternative process under which a majority of employees can sign up to join a union. Currently, employers can choose to accept--but are not bound by law to accept--the signed decision of a majority of workers. That choice should be left up to workers and workers alone."
-Pres. Barack Obama

For more information on The Employee Free Choice Act. “Check out these sites on the Web!”
www.ufcw.org
www.alfcio.org
www.employeefreechoiceact.org
www.changetowin.org
www.themiddleclass.org

DO WE HAVE YOUR CURRENT INFORMATION

Does local 1496 have your current information? Have you moved, changed phone numbers? Many members do not receive their refunds when dues sometimes get overpaid, or important news may not be received because we can not contact or connect with our members Please make sure our information for you is up to date, give us a call so we can more effectively serve you at
(907) 258-1496 or 1-800-478-1496.

~ SOLIDARITY WORKS!