All Categories - UFCW 1496

Enhanced Benefits For Grocery Workers

3/25/2020

UFCW Local 1496 has reached an understanding with Carrs/Safeway to better support and protect grocer store workers and shoppers in this time of need due to the Coronavirus.
This resolution includes:
* More flexibility for schedules to accommodate childcare.
* Up to two weeks of pay for workers diagnosed with COVID-19 or workers required to self-quarantine, before needing to access sick leave and other contractual paid leave.
* Agreed to jointly work with State and Federal Government to treat Grocery Store Workers as first responders and set up a childcare fund for Grocery Store Workers.
* Expanded use of paid sick leave to cover childcare needs.
* Agreed to further discussions of ways to meet workers' childcare needs.
* Ensure workers do not lose eligibility for medical coverage or lose vacation accrual while out on sick leave.
* Temporarily allow the employer to bring in extra outside help to make sure we are able to serve our communities during this crisis - provided bargaining unit employees are offered hours first including overtime.
* As always, any work done in the meat cutter classification will only be performed by individuals qualified and licensed (where necessary) to perform such work.
If you have questions, please contact your Union Rep or Shop Steward.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

3/24/2020

Dear UFCW 1496 Members:
   Let me begin by sincerely thanking you-and all our members-for everything you are doing to help your customers, and our community, through this unprecedented health crisis. You are on the front lines of this crisis and you are proving how invaluable your work is and the vital role our Union Members play in times like these.
   Please know that Local 1496 and your International UFCW family is here for you during these difficult and challenging times. You are not alone. We are one Union family, and we are in this together.
   To help you and all members, we will be providing you regular updates, such as those noted below, on what actions your local Union and the International are taking to protect all of our members.
   Among the actions we wanted you to know about include:
1. Working with State and Federal leaders to develop immediate policies that will protect members' personal and economic health. Specifically, The International Union is working with elected leaders to ensure that any new local, state, and federal policies to address the Coronavirus pandemic also address the essential concerns of UFCW members.
2. The Local Union and International Union are having ongoing discussions with management and your employers about the steps they are taking (and should take) to protect your job, pay and benefits. These discussions include additional steps they need to take to protect co-workers from any workplace exposure to the coronavirus, as well as address concerns our members have raised.
3. To ensure the critical work you are dong is recognized and protected, we are working at the state and federal level to designate our grocery retail members as "first responders". This designation, we believe, will provide immediate access to testing and additional protections necessary to do your vital jobs.
4. To ensure that all our members are aware of any critical updates about this coronavirus pandemic, we are asking you to Please Text "Prepared" to 83071. These alerts will provide you invaluable updates throughout this crisis so we well be encouraging all of our members to sign up as quickly as possible.
5. To make you aware of the protective measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), we will be posting key information on our Local Union and International Union websites.
6. To help ensure your safety, we are strongly encouraging all of our members to reach out to us at (907) 258-1496 if they have any workplace concerns about their personal health or workplace safety. It is essential that we hear of these concerns from you so we can address them with your employer as quickly as possible.
   With respect to your health and the health of your loved ones, it is essential that we all take smart steps to protect ourselves. For example, if you show any symptoms of the coronavirus, which include fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath, you should immediately call your healthcare provider. To find out additional information of what you can and should do to protect yourself, please visit CDC.gov.
   On a more personal level, I know that these are incredibly stressful days for you and all members of our Union family. During such trying moments, we want you to know that your Union will be here for your. As difficult as the days ahead may be, we will get through this together.
   Thank you again for all the work your are doing, and please do not forget to sign up for text alerts by texting "Prepared" to 83071. For more information, please visit www.ufcw.org.
Stay safe,
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Buster

**You may also check out the "More" tab on this website, "Contact us", "Important Links" for more information.

DRIVE THROUGH COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE

3/19/2020

Providence Alaska Medical Center is partnering with Alaska Native Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital and Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center to offer free drive-through COVID-19 testing to the community. The testing is available beginning March 16 at 4115 Lake Otis Parkway, near the intersection of Lake Otis and East 42nd Avenue. People must have a referral before being tested; those without a referral will not be tested. Referrals can be obtained during a live, phone or virtual appointment with a clinician. Testing involves collecting a swab from the nose, which is then sent to a lab for testing. People will be contacted with results as soon as they are available.

Hours: 9AM-7PM seven days a week' photo ID required. For the safety of you and others, please follow marked traffic directions at the test-collection site.

COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR PHC PARTICIPATING GROUPS

3/18/2020

We have been working with our vendor partners on ways to best support you an your participants during this period of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. The situation is changing day-to-day but following are the most recent updates:

Alaska Regional Hospital
We are ready! Alaska Regional Hospital is fully prepared to meet the needs of our community and patients. It is "all hands on deck". We are updating staff daily and screening patients and visitors for symptoms of illness. We are working closely with the municipality, state, CDC and our corporate partners to endure that we have the latest news and are following the most recent guidelines. We are collaborating with our community partners, such as Providence, Alaska Native Medical Center and Anchorage Neighborhood Health center to ensure we have a cohesive response to this crisis. We have taken measures to have a ore controlled environment that limits entry into our hospital and w have instituted health-screening checks for all hospital visitors. Masks are provided to those with respiratory symptoms who come to the hospital seeking care.

Messaging to Employees/Individuals: It's important that people understand this virus so they can make wise decisions and prevent the spread of infection. Here is some suggested messaging for you to share.

   The emergence of COVID-19 has complicated our usual flu season by presenting in very similar ways. It is spread by respiratory droplets which are produced when we cough, sneeze, and to a certain extent, even while talking - this is why the concept of Social Distancing is so frequently discussed. These tiny particles travel about 1 meter, or three feet from us. CDC is recommending we stay about 6 feet apart for this reason. These tiny droplets can also land on surfaces, which we touch, and then may inadvertently inhale after touching our own face. Wash your hands often, and try not to touch your face. COVID-19 is not known to spread by the airborne route, but healthcare providers who perform certain respiratory precautions may be seen in the media using additional masks and PPE. Prevention is best handled through hand washing, avoiding friends or coworkers who are sick, cleaning of surfaces and frequently used items (like our phones), and taking good care of ourselves by eating and sleeping well so that our immune system is functioning its best.

   Alaskans who have symptoms of flu (cough, achiness, "head cold") that are not severe should stay home and contact their primary care provider or 211 for guidance on whether testing for flu, COVID-19, or other reasons is indicated, and what they an do the alleviate their symptoms.

   Alaskans who are seriously ill should go to the Emergency Department. If they have a cough, fever, or shortness of breath, we will offer them a mask immediately upon entering the hospital.

   Alaskans who want to minimize their chance of exposure should review the CDC website and follow their suggestions under the heading "How to Protect Yourself". http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Currently, they are recommending:
*Avoiding close contact with others as much as possible. This may mean avoiding crowded places, handshaking, or even not traveling if you are over 60 years old and have medical illnesses.
*Good self-care - handwashing (soap and water are best, but if that is not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol), staying up to dat with your immunizations, and healthy habits.
*Take steps to protect others - stay home and wear a facemask if you're sick, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces.

Elective Surgeries. Yesterday, it was recommended that hospitals cancel or delay elective surgeries to preserve acute hospital capacity should the need arise. We respect the position the government is in and recognize they are taking this stance out of an abundance of caution. We are grateful they chose not to mandate this position and are trusting providers to make decisions based on needs of their patients and resources available. important to note is the definition of "elective", which simply means that it is a scheduled surgery rather than an emergency. These scheduled "elective" surgeries can include vitally important life-saving procedures such as replacement of a faulty heart valve removal of a serious cancerous tumor, or a pediatric hernia repair. Fortunately, as a member of the HCA family with over 2,000+ facilities across the country, our access is strong and lessons learned from markets ahead of us abundant. We are confident we have our finger on the pulse of COVID-19 activity and will make adjustments accordingly as conditions change.

Drive Through Testing Site. As stated before, we are working very closely with Providence, ANMC and Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center to ensure coordination and collaboration across the community to the greatest extent possible. This includes a drive up testing site, located at 4115 Lake Otis. We made a purposeful decision as a group to support one location and direct patients there that meet criteria/have an order for COVID-19 testing. For ese in processing, patient will be registered as "Providence" and results sent to the primary care provider of record. We also plan to have a follow up system in place to ensure results get back to the patient and provider as quickly as possible. Important to note: people coming for testing need to have a referral from their physician or 211. They will not test the worried well.

We're all In this together. Nothing highlights the most enduring and redeeming characteristic of our humanity than in times of crises. When people are afraid, hurting or in need, the ability and desire for all of us to come together and help one another is beautiful and the deepest reflection of our divine nature. This crisis gives us an opportunity to be an uplifter and help others overcome their fear and pain by reminding the what is good and right in the world, to focus on the constructive and the affirmative. We all have the power to make a positive difference and bring light into the world. Thank you for your partnership and your willingness to be such an important part of this solution.

Take care of yourself and your family, both physically and mentally. Wash your hands, go for a walk, read a book, play a game, clean your closets, laugh with each other. We will get through this together!

Congratulations, Homer

2/13/2020

Congratulations to Homer Safeway who just voted unanimously to a new 3 year contract on February 12th.

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.

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).