To our Alaskan UFCW 1496 Members, We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas, and a Happy Holiday Season! It has been a challenging year indeed, and one like no other, and through it all our hard working front-line, essential working families have delivered. You are the heart behind the holiday season we've all come to love. For those who work to check in freight in the back rooms, cut meat, prepare baked goods, stocking items on shelves, making amazing holiday trays of food, keeping stores cleaned and sanitized, shopping for customers w/pick-lists, and carrying their orders out in the icy cold weather, to ringing up the folks at the check-stand in their community, and making sure they have that perfect bottle of wine to compliment their meal. You are the ones that help make the holidays happen for families throughout this great state. We celebrate all of our 2500+ Alaska Members. Let's pause to be thankful for the Holiday Heroes whose hard work, and dedication help make possible the traditions, and warm memories we make year after year.
OPEN ENROLLMENT REMINDER
By now, you should have received a white manila envelope with your medical open enrollment forms in it. Be sure to fill the form out and return ASAP so you and your family will have health benefits for 2022. Deadline for open enrollment this year is December 17th. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN LOST BENEFITS! You may also add or remove dependents at this time. There are instructions on how to fill out the form and it only takes a few moments to ensure benefits for you and your family members in the coming year. If you have not received a form by now, please contact the Plan Administrator at (907)561-5119 or (800)478-8329 Ext 4704 or the UFCW Local 1496 Office at (907)258-1496 or (800)478-1496, Fairbanks (907)456-6571. You can also log onto www.akufcwtrust.com and download a form, or get one from your Shop Steward. Be sure to mark the annual enrollment box at the top, and choose your coverage choice in the red box. You may return your completed Enrollment Form by:
-Mail to: Labor Trust Services, PO Box 93870, Anchorage, AK 99509
-Scan and email to: [email protected]
- Fax to: (907)561-4802
If you would like to verify that your Enrollment Form was received, you can call (800)478-8329 Ext 4704.
FREE COLLEGE FOR UFCW MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
The UFCW Free College Benefit ensures that UFCW members and their families do not have to pay out of pocket for any tuition, fees or e-books at Eastern Gateway Community College-resulting in cost savings of thousands of dollars! The Free College Benefit covers any amount for tuition, fees or books that is not covered by federal or employer education grants. Children (or stepchildren), grandchildren (or step-grandchildren). spouses, domestic partners, and financial dependents of UFCW members are eligible for the UFCW Free College Benefit. Accounting, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Management, IT Helpdesk, Marketing, Paralegal, Social Work, and Teacher Education are just a few of the Degree's that are offered. The process is simple and can save you a lot of money! Check it out at www.ufcwfreecollege.org or call (888)590-9009.
Now enrolling for classes starting January 10, 2022!
UFCW LAUNCHES #SHOPSAFE CAMPAIGN
America’s largest retail Union, UFCW, has launched a new #ShopSafe campaign with 5 Essential Holiday Shopping Safety Tips to keep essential workers and shoppers safe:
1-Shop Smart: Be prepared with a list of what you want to buy to keep your shopping trip short and help avoid overcrowding in the stores.
2-Wear a Mask: Help reduce the risk of COVID exposure to those working in the store.
3-Don’t Overcrowd: Leave space between yourself and other customers or workers, and consider shopping in the early morning or late evening hours when stores are less crowded.
4-Save Time/Ask for Help: To reduce shopping time when looking for what you need, ask the nearest worker, they know the store better than anyone and will give you the shortcuts needed to save time.
5-Be Kind & Thankful: Remember that every worker, whether in a grocery store or a retail store, is doing their best. It is not their fault that certain items are out of stock or more expensive than past years. This year, maybe more than most, being kind and thankful will help make a difference in their lives and yours.
Marc Perrone, the International President of UFCW, released the following statement:
“As part of the holiday campaign, the UFCW is encouraging shoppers to take a selfie of themselves following the 5 Holiday Shopping Tips and to thank essential workers, to help show their gratitude to all of the men and women helping to keep stores open and safe this holiday season.”