ANCHORAGE CARRS/SAFEWAY CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
As you may already be aware, our Alaska UFCW Local 1496 Leadership and Negotiating Committee has been in bargaining with Safeway for a new contract since April of 2021.  The Committee stands devoted to achieving fair wage increases for all departments and positions, better contract language, and a safer working environment.  While progress has been made over the past months, the Employer is still rejecting the Union's proposals and taking negative positions on issues that matter to all of you.
On August 17th & 18th, the Committee has been focusing on economic discussions with the Employer.  When the Committee laid out what a fair package might look like, it was crystal clear the Employer is out of touch and unconcerned with what their employees need.  Some of the Employer counter-proposals are not enough to help hard-working grocery store members achieve what they deserve.  Your Employer proposed or took positions on:
-Insignificant wage increases
-Too many hours to move forward through raise progression steps
-Spouses waiting two years for healthcare coverage
-Longer wait time for new hires to have paid holidays
-Removing night premium pay
-Needed improvements to pension
Their proposals and positions are not what you need or deserve as essential workers.  And, this is not how essential workers who have risked their health and well-being of their own families throughout a global pandemic should be treated.  Over the past 18 months, you have risked your lives for your communities and Safeway's corporate profits.  Throughout negotiations, it is important to remember that getting the fairest contract is an important process.  Please help support yourself and your coworkers by doing your part to support the Negotiations Team.  This is YOUR contract, but it can only be great if we all work together.
Now is the time to be United.  Be sure to wear your "Standing Together" Union buttons until you get an acceptable contract offer to vote on, and when you see management in your store, be sure to tell them you will do WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET A FAIR CONTRACT!
                                                                 SOLIDARITY WORKS!!


THINK SAFETY AND JOB SECURITY FIRST, BEFORE GOING AFTER SHOPLIFTERS
The basic policy with regard to shoplifting is one of prevention.  This is usually best accomplished by cheerfully greeting customers and asking if they need assistance, as shoplifters do not like to be recognized and avoid stores with friendly, attentive employees.  If an employee becomes aware that someone may be leaving the store with unpurchased merchandise, he or she should report the incident to management immediately.  Do not engage them.  Under no circumstances may any employee pursue or otherwise chase in an attempt to detain a suspected shoplifter within the store or outside the store premises, this includes loiterers.  To do so places your safety and the safety of your co-workers and customers in jeopardy.  The Company will not tolerate any violation of this policy, and any employee that decides to pursue or otherwise chase in an attempt to detain a shoplifter will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination irrespective of whether anyone was hurt. 

WITHDRAWAL CARD
DON'T FORGET -   If at any time you have terminated your employment or 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.  You are not required to pay dues while you are withdrawn.

UFCW ALASKA NEGOTIATIONS & CONTRACT UPDATES
​Petersburg:  On Tuesday, July 20th UFCW Alaska Members from Trading Union-IGA and Hammer & Wikan voted over-whelmingly to accept a new 3-year agreement.  It was a positive step forward for the group that solidified raises for all members on the contract for each year of the agreement.

Fairbanks:  On August 11th, the Union will be meeting with Gavora group for the Thrifty Liquor & Garden Island to negotiate a new 3-year deal for its members.  The biggest concern for members is getting new and improved wage increases to help keep up with the cost of living.  Also this month Fairbanks Distributors contract opens for negotiations with the Employer,  for its food and snack workers.

Anchorage:  The Union and Safeway Workers Bargaining Committee members met with the Employer on Friday, July 23rd.  We have had multiple negotiations with the Employer since April.  The Committee is making progress but it has been slow going in getting the Employer to commit to raising the hiring rates for new hire Combination Clerks rates above $10.55 per hour.  That's only a +$.05 cents per hour increase proposed.  There has not been an increase in starting rates of pay since 2015, while the cost of living increases continue to rise.  The Bargaining Committee is committed to improving wages for all its members in the contract from Journey Person/thereafter rates, to Courtesy Clerks, and all rates for all its members who are in between.  Now is the time to stay informed, wear a button to show the Employer that We Stand United! Solidarity Works 

Wear the Button!
I'm an essential worker...I'm worth more than a nickel!
If you need a button to wear, please see your Shop Steward or call our office.



ALASKA UFCW MEMBERS - CALL SENATOR MURKOWSKI!
Call Senator Lisa Murkowski and tell her to support the PRO Act!  Representative Don Young already said yes.  We're asking Senator Murkowski to do the same to support working people.  Call her and tell her to vote YES on the PRO Act.  The right to join a union is not political.  It's not controversial.  It's simply a fundamental freedom.  Stronger unions mean higher wages, safer working conditions and dignity for all people who work.

The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act would:
-Empower workers to organize and bargain
-Hold corporations accountable for union-busting
-Repeal "right to work" laws, which were created during the Jim Crow era to keep White and Black workers from organizing together.

The vast majority of Americans support unions.  The PRO Act is how every worker who wants to form a union can do so freely and fairly.

UFCW ALASKA CONTRACT UPDATES

​Petersburg:  Both Hammer & Wikan and Trading Union Members agreed to vote on a recommended settlement on June 16th, that includes new meaningful hourly wage increases for all members each year of the 3-year agreement.  The date scheduled for the members to vote on the contract settlement is Tuesday, July 20th from 8AM-4PM at Scandia House, in the conference room.  There will be a Contract Update/General Membership meeting on July 19th, the evening before, to go over the terms of the settlement, at 6PM and 8PM.

Anchorage:   Carrs/Safeway Bargaining Committee Members and the Local 1496 Union staff continue to negotiate with the Employer.  The Employer and Members have had 3 bargaining sessions since April, and have their next round scheduled for Friday, July 23rd.  The contract expired June 1, 2021.  Prior to expiration, we signed an extension agreement with the Employer, that keeps the current contract in full force until we can reach an acceptable settlement.  The Union and its Bargaining Committee are united with the rest of its membership, that now is the time to achieve new significant raises and improvements to the contract.  We know in the last year, that the Employer has been extremely successful, and that success is because of your essential hard work serving on the front lines daily.  Now is the time for the Employer to share their record setting success with you.

Other contracts that are currently open and will be bargained soon:  Fairbanks Gavora/Market Basket, Anchorage Firefighters Local 1264, and Anchorage Iron Workers Local 751.

Stay informed, stand strong and united..... SOLIDARITY WORKS! 


NEW SHOP STEWARDS

Welcome to our newest shop stewards:  Erica Kelso, Anchorage Aurora Village Carrs #1805; Stephani Pine and Denelle Talbot, Palmer Carrs #1739; Mike Combs, Ketchikan Safeway #1818; Angela Barlow, Fairbanks Safeway #2754; Rome Parham, Fairbank  Safeway #3410; Mary Jacobson, Anchorage Carrs/Safeway Warehouse.  We are still in need of shop stewards at the following locations: Anchorage Eastgate Carrs #1809, Anchorage Jewel Lake Carrs #1812, Anchorage Abbott Fred Meyer #656, and a 2nd shop steward is needed at Kenai Safeway #1808, and Wasilla Carrs #1811.  If you are interested in becoming a Shop Steward, please notify us by calling 258-1496 (Anchorage), 456-6571 (Fairbanks) or 1-800-478-1496.

BUY UNION/AMERICAN

Why Buy American?  While driving to work one may not realize that the clothes you wear and the vehicle you are driving are made by foreign workers.  Once upon a time not long ago, these products and most others were made by American Workers who supported Local Economies with their hard earned wages.  The loss of these blue collar, good paying jobs has been going on for decades.  In 1950, manufacturing accounted for over 30% of non-farm employment.  Today, that number is 10%.  Increasingly our wages go to support the profit margins of multi-national corporations while the American Worker struggles to find good paying jobs with benefits.  Support your country and Buy American!  Remember, behind every label is a job.  Lets make it an American Job.
As summer kicks into full swing and we enjoy our fishing, camping, cookouts, picnics, etc. we often buy union made items and don't even realize it; here are some, just to name a few:  Wonder Bread, Crunch n' Munch, Frito-Lay, Hershey, Slim Jim, Pepsi, Coke, Mission Foods, Ball Park, Oscar Mayer, Hormel, John Morrell, Foster Farms, Nathan's, Johnsonville, Hostess, Sara Lee, Heinz, Vlasic, Pace, Breyers Ice Cream, VanKamps, Kroger, Lucerne, Smithfield, Minute Maid, V-8, Welch's, Hawaiian Punch, Yoplait, Dannon, French's or Gulden's Mustard, Ore-Ida, Mott's, Hidden Valley Ranch, Peter Pan, Dinty Moore, and Rosarita.

ALBERTSONS/SAFEWAY CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
 UFCW Local 1496 and International staff along with the Employee Bargaining Committee met with Safeway Labor Relations on April 21 and 22 via zoom conferencing, for the first round of negotiations for the Anchorage/Eagle River agreement, which expires on May 31st.  With strong testimony from committee members, the employer withdrew several requests from their proposal, which would have negatively affected the new contract.  The second round of negotiations are scheduled for May 12th and 13th.  The Union and Committee are working hard on your behalf to achieving meaningful hard money wage increases and improved provisions that all of our members are counting on.  Now is the time to stand together, unite, and remember SOLIDARITY WORKS!


EXECUTIVE BOARD
Your Executive Board consists of UFCW members from throughout the State of Alaska.  They meet the second Tuesday of each month and are responsible for enforcing the rules and by-laws of the Union, as well as overseeing all expenditures.  The Executive Board is made up of President (Frank Mutchie), Secretary-Treasurer (Silvana Tirban), and Recorder (Brad Springer) as well as 10 Vice-Presidents (Anchorage - Kenneth Kellogg, Connie Johnson, Dan Noblett, Rickey Thrasher, David Wilson: Palmer - Mari Quintana: Fairbanks - Jalanda Jordan: Peninsula - Lonnie McMilin, Brenda Klimpke, Robert Webber).  Feel free to notify any of these people with any concerns or questions you may have.  


SECURITY PROBLEMS?
Be familiar with your Employer's rules and store policy.  You may suffer immediate termination for any of the following rule violations:
GRAZING:  Eating a product that is not paid for, or not having a sales receipt for the purchase.

FAILURE TO RECORD:  Not ringing in merchandise immediately and/or failure to put money in the cash drawer.

UNDER RINGING:  Ringing in merchandise at a price lower than it is marked.

DRUG OR ALCOHOL USE (INCLUDING MARIJUANA):  consumption of alcohol or drugs on company property or being under the influence of such.

TIME CARD VIOLATION:  Not entering proper beginning and quitting times and not having the time card approved.

NON-SUFFICIENT FUNDS CHECKS (NSF):  Writing checks to the store without sufficient funds to cover them.

Security Interviews:  YOU have the right to request Union representation during any security interview, but remember YOU MUST REQUEST IT.


SCHEDULING TIME OFF
Many Local 1496 members have second jobs, school obligations, and other activities outside of work.  It is important to communicate to your schedule writer and receive permission from management, if you need specific time periods off from work, prior to the schedule being written, whenever possible.  Just calling in and leaving a message with someone could lead to your absence being unexcused, in particular if the reason for the absence is not health or family emergency related.  Play it safe, always communicate, and get the okay ahead of time.