Local 1496 - The Most Northern and Western UFCW Local in the World!

JULY 2008 UPDATE

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    On June 16^th the Local 1496 Executive Board voted to re-affiliate with the State American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). In 2005 the UFCW joined with the Teamsters, Laborers, Carpenters, United Farm Workers, UNITE HERE and the Service Employees to break away from the AFL-CIO and form Change To Win. Though still separate on a national level, the Executive Board decided to join the other Change To Win Unions who have re-affiliated on the State level. This decision was based on the fact that the Local will have a stronger voice in Juneau as an AFL-CIO affiliate. Additionally, we will be able to participate in the AFL-CIO’s coordinated campaign for the upcoming State and Federal elections. The AFL-CIO is committed to working to elect candidates that support the issues of working people. Local 1496 shares in that goal.

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    The AFL-CIO has a coordinated campaign up and running for this year’s election. By pooling the resources of local unions more members can be contacted with less cost to each individual union. The goal of the campaign is to have all the unions work together to contact their members with information about the candidates who have been endorsed as labor friendly. Labor friendly means candidates who have pledged to support the Employee Free Choice Act; support increasing the minimum wage; oppose right to work for less legislation and other issues. Candidates who have the interest of the working class as their priority. The coordinated campaign needs volunteers to make telephone calls, walk the neighborhoods and talk with union members and their families, do mail outs and data entry. The campaign is asking for each volunteer to commit to 8 hours total. Volunteers will be walking or phoning for a couple hours one night during the week and on Saturdays or whatever fits your schedule. The walks and phone calls will be starting in early July. This is such an exciting election year with great opportunities for change. Please call Local 1496 at 258-1496 or 1-800-478-1496 or email ufcw@ufcw1496.org if you would like to be a part of this exciting election process.

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    As the priority of our Union is to elect candidates who are for the working men and women of our nation, UFCW International has endorsed Barack Obama for president. Senator Obama spoke at the UFCW Region 8 political conference last April pledging his support to the working men and women of America. As Senator, he has voted to raise the minimum wage; to support overtime pay, equal pay, prevailing wages and family and medical leave. The following is a quote from Senator Obama: “I am a co-sponsor of and have fought for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act because I firmly believe that workers should choose whether they want to join a union without fear of intimidation, coercion, or threats to their livelihood. I am convinced that millions of Americans would join a union if given a fair opportunity, but the National Labor Relations Act, in its current form, too often allows employers to violate workers’ rights with impunity.”

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    It has been expressed by many members that notification by email would be a great way of keeping them informed. The Local is in the process of inputting members email addresses so that meeting notices and other important information can be sent out via email along with the current method of distribution. If you would like to have your email address added to your account information please send it to ufcw@ufcw1496.org.

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   “Only a fool would try to deprive working men and working women of their right to join the union of their choice.”       

                                                                                                                Dwight D. Eisenhower

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    We now have Union T-shirts and jackets in the navy blue and gold colors available at the Anchorage Local 1496 office for purchase. The cost of the T-shirt is $8.00 and the cost of the jacket is $60.00. Some members have won a T-shirt or jacket at the General Membership meetings or the Solidarity Picnic.

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1. www.ufcw1496.org    (the one you are now on - current Local 1496 information)

2. www.ufcw.org    (current UFCW International information)

3. www.changetowin.org     (current Change to Win information)

4. www.wakeupwalmart.com    (current UFCW/Wal-Mart information)

5. www.unionplus.org    (additional benefits for Union members Website)

6. www.groceryworkersunited.org    (Grocery Workers Website)

7. www.walmartworkersrights.org    (Wal-Mart Workers Rights Website)

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    Northern Lights Services of Fairbanks Employees chose to be represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1496 and ratified their contract in June. Welcome to our new brothers and sisters.

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    Alaska United Food and Commercial Workers Health and Welfare Trust has a new benefit in the form of a quarterly Total Wellness news letter. The second edition to be distributed to members at the stores and in the break rooms just came out. This issue touches on Insect Repellent Safety, Relaxing with Exercise, Summertime Skin Care, and more. Hopefully you have had the opportunity to read the news letter as it is packed with great information.

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    Any Union member who is called into a meeting with company management and/or store security which they believe could lead to disciplinary action against them or a co-worker, has a legal right to request union representation and have a Union Representative present before participating in any such investigatory meeting. Employers are not obligated to inform union members of this Right. It is the member's sold responsibility to make this request. members may make this request at any time during the meeting and cannot be forced to further participate until a representative of the Union is present either in person or, in some cases, via teleconference. Both Shop stewards and UFCW Union Representatives are qualified to represent members in these situations. Please do your best to inform new union members that they have a Right to union representation.

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    If you are aware of any group of workers that you believe may be interested in being represented by UFCW Local 1496 for the purpose of collective bargaining, call 258-1496 or 1-800-478-1496 and ask to speak to an organizer. You must provide the name, address, and phone number of at least one of the employees who has already agreed to be contacted by UFCW Local 1496. If the contact results in a viable campaign and goes to a card check or NLRB election, UFCW Local 1496 will waive your Union dues for the 12-month period following the card check or NLRB election.

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 UNION YES !