All Categories - UFCW 1496

IST QUARTER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

12/31/2019

1st Quarter General Membership Meetings
2/18/20 - Anchorage/Eagle River@UFCW (501 W. Northern Lights Blvd) - 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM
2/19/20 - Fairbanks @ UFCW Office (2120 S. Cushman St) - 10:00 AM & 5:00 PM
2/19/20 - North Pole @ North Pole Plaza (Next to Ben Franklin) - 3:00 PM
2/19/20 - Palmer/Wasilla@ Palmer City Ale House (320 Dahlia Ave)-upstairs banquet room - 6:00 PM
2/20/20 - Eagle River @ Parks & Rec (12001 Business Blvd) - 4:00 PM
2/24/20 - Homer @ Birdaka Inn (Downstairs Conference Room) - 6:00 PM
2/25/20 - Kenai/Soldotna @ Aspen Inn Soldotna - 4:00 PM
2/26/20 - Kenai/Soldotna @ Aspen Inn Soldotna - 9:00 AM
2/26/20 - Seward @ Harbor 360 - 6:00 PM
3/16/20 - Ketchikan @ Best Western Landing - 7:00 PM
3/17/20 - Ketchikan @ Best Western Landing - 9:00 AM
3/18/20 - Petersburg @ Scandia House - 7:00 PM
3/19/20 - Juneau @ Travel Lodge Glacier Hwy - 7:00 PM

REDUCED HOURS

12/31/2019

Most UFCW Local 1496 contracts contain language that protects employees from having their hours reduced for the purpose of assigning such hours to new hires or extra employees. Senior employees within a classification shall be offered the most hours up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. If employees have restrictions to their availability, it can adversely effect seniority rights for available hours. If less senior employees are being scheduled more hours or you have lost hours to new employees, call the UFCW Local 1496 office and speak to a Union Representative.

THINK SAFETY AND JOB SECURITY BEFORE GOING AFTER SHOPLIFTERS

12/31/2019

With the decrease of accountability on those that commit petty theft throughout the state, we have seen a dramatic increase of shoplifters in the bargaining units Alaska's UFCW represents. We've had some of our members make the wrong decision and decide to try to take matters into their own hands. In doing so, they put their lives in danger! We've had members that have had knives pulled on them, our members have been tasered, and even shot while trying to pursue these individuals. Trying to apprehend these thieves is flat out dangerous and against the spirit of any Union contract we bargain. Our members' safety is paramount, and the Employers policy and procedures forbids our members from chasing or trying to detain a suspected shoplifter. If you see something, say something to Store Directors or PICS, but never put yourself at risk.

CONTRACT UPDATES

12/31/2019

The Local 1496 Fairbanks Fred Meyer West Grocery and Meat & Seafood, Fred Meyer Fairbanks East Meat & Seafood Negotiation Committee reached a settlement withe the Employer last month and members voted unanimously in favor to accept a new 3 year agreement on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. Next for upcoming Fred Meyer contracts will be the Fred Meyer #653 Wasilla Meat & Seafood contract in the Spring of 202 and the 4 Fred Meyer Stores in Anchorage for the Meat & Seafood Agreements which will open for bargaining next summer. Recently, Safeway contracts were ratified by members in Southeast Alaska at Juneau and Ketchikan, where members voted overwhelmingly to accept new 3-year agreements. Also Plumbers Local 262 Business Office in Juneau ratified a new agreement too. Palmer/Wasilla Safeway voted and ratified a new 3-year contract in December. Next in line for voting is Safeway Kenai/Soldotna sometime in January. The Safeway in Homer Union, members are currently waiting for bargaining dates to meet and negotiate with the Employer.

EIGHT REASONS TO SHOP UNION

12/31/2019

We frequently inform our members a bout the importance of "shopping Union", and for good reason. Actually, we have 8 good reasons for your and your family to shop only at Union stores, but Union-made products and patronize Union employers whenever possible:
1. You'll increase your Union's clout at the bargaining table. Wages and benefits are highest where Union employers command the highest percentage of market share. Where Union market share is low, some employers may interpret it as a sign of weakness and try to push for concessions. But strong Union market share is taken as evidence of a strong Union which will fight for the best possible contract.
2. You'll encourage higher standards throughout the many industries we represent. Non-Union competition tends to drive down wages and benefits for everyone. When you spend your dollars at an Union-affiliated employer, you help the company resist the competitive pressures to "cut corners" and try to lower its own standards.
3. Union businesses need your business. The good Union job you save could be your own!
4. You'll help increase the availability of work hours. A busier store or other business means more work and more pay for Union workers.
5. You'll help fortify your community's economic health. Union employers pay better, so their workers have more to spend, supporting local businesses. The workers also have good health benefits, so they don't have to rely on taxpayer-supported health services.
6. Good behavior should be rewarded. A good Union employer deserves encouragement and support for treating workers with respect.
7. You'll protect your health benefits. Every hour of work gained at a non-Union business meas an equivalent loss at a Union employer. The result is less money in the health benefits trust funds which pay for health care for Union members and their families. Conversely, more business at Union businesses equals more hours for Union workers, which equals more money to spend on health benefits.
8. You'll be expressing your Union pride. Showing your support for Union employers expresses your personal commitment to the power of Solidarity.

OPEN ENROLLMENT IS OVER

12/27/2019

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD IS OVER!!!!! IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT YOURS IN BY NOW, THEY NEED TO BE FAXED ASAP TO (206) 505-9727. OTHERWISE, YOU WILL HAVE NOT INSURANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR 2020! IF YOU NEED A FORM, SEE YOUR ISR (IN STORE RECRUITER), STORE MANAGER OR CALL OUR OFFICE AT 258-1496 OR 1-800-478-1496, IN FAIRBANKS 456-6571.

ALASKA UFCW COALITION HEALTH FAIR

8/28/2019

AMERICAN INCOME LIFE MAIL OUTS

8/28/2019

Recently, you may have been mailed a yellow card from American Income Life Insurance Company. This company is a very reputable company. You may not know that they offer all of our Union members, whether retired or actively working a no-cost to you Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy. You do NOT need to sign the policy card for it to be activated. You do NOT have to meet with the agents who call you. And if you do, please do not feel pressured to sign anything you are not comfortable with. If you have any questions, please contact your Union office at 258-1496 or 1-800-478-1496 ( Fairbanks 907-456-6571).

UFCW LOCAL 1496 CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

7/29/2019

Your Alaska UFCW Local and its members have been busy negotiating labor agreements across the state with various employers. Most recently in Southeast Alaska: Tatsuda's IGA Union members ratified a new 2 year agreement with a unanimous yes vote on Friday, June 28th, and in Petersburg, on Tuesday, July 2nd, Trading Union IGA and Hammer & Wikan workers overwhelmingly voted yes to accept a new 3 year contract that protects their health and welfare benefits with no new out-of-pocket co-pay cost to its members as well as ratification bonuses for all classifications within the contract. Fairbanks: Market Basket and Fairbanks Distributors' workers each ratified new 3 year agreements this summer that included the employers picking up the cost of healthcare increases on the Union plan for its employees and meaningful wage increase over the life of the agreements. Up next for Safeway contract negotiations will be for Fairbanks/North Pole locations where the Union will be meeting with the Employer on Tuesday, August 13th and Wednesday, August 14th, to exchange proposals. The Union and its Committee Members from the stores will be working hard on the behalf of their coworkers to secure the best wages, benefits, and working conditions the Employer has to offer. Following Safeway Fairbanks/North Pole contract will be Safeway Homer, Ketchikan and the Mat-Su Valley.

LABOR DAY PARADE AND PICNIC IN FAIRBANKS

7/29/2019

The Annual Fairbanks Labor Day parade and picnic is on Monday, September 2nd. The parade starts at 12:00 noon at the Noel Wien Library and ends at the Pioneer Park. The picnic is being held there starting at 1:00 pm. The admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. Those who walk in the parade will be admitted to the picnic for free. Any questions or need additional information, just give our Fairbanks office a call at 456-6571.