UFCW Local 1496 and International staff along with the Employee Bargaining Committee are scheduled for another round of negotiations on February 22. The contract expired on May 31, 2021 but we have signed an extension with the Company that will keep your current contract in full effect until we reach a new agreement. The Union and Committee are working hard on your behalf to secure the best wages, benefits and working conditions that the Employer has to offer. Now is the time to be United. Be sure to wear your "Standing Together" Union buttons until you get an acceptable offer. Solidarity Works!
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1st QUARTER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS & BYLAWS CHANGE VOTE
DATE DAY PLACE TIME 2/28/22 MON Anchorage/Eagle River @ UFCW Office (501 W. Northern Lights Blvd) 9:00 AM 2/28/22 MON Anchorage/Eagle River @ Dimond Hotel 5:00 PM 3/2/22 WED Palmer/Wasilla @ Menard Sports Center 6:00 PM 3/3/22 THUR Eagle River @ Parks & Rec (12001 Business Blvd) 4:00 PM 3/3/22 THUR Fairbanks @ UFCW Office (2120 S. Cushman Suite 201) 10:00 AM & 5:00 PM 3/3/22 THUR North Pole @ North Pole Wendys 3:00 PM 3/7/22 MON Homer @ Birdaka Inn (Downstairs Conference Room) 6:00 PM 3/8/22 TUES Kenai/Soldotna @ Aspen Hotel Soldotna 4:00 PM 3/9/22 WED Kenai/Soldotna @ Aspen Hotel Soldotna 9:00 AM 3/9/22 WED Seward @ Harbor 360 6:00 PM 3/21/22 MON Ketchikan @ Best Western Landing 5:00 PM 3/22/22 TUES Ketchikan @ Best Western Landing 9:00 AM 3/23/22 WED Petersburg @ Scandia House 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM 3/24/22 THUR Juneau @ Travel Lodge (Glacier Hwy) 7:15 PM **Union member who attend General Membership meetings receive 50% refund of that month's dues. **Masks and Social Distancing protocols will be observed. YOUR STRIKE & DEFENSE FUND In June 1982, UFCW Local 1496 established a Strike & Defense Fund. The Strike & Defense Fund is your money and is here for your protection during negotiations. When the Union has a healthy strike fund, it puts us in a better bargaining position. The fund gives the Union strength through its ability to provide for its members in case a legal and authorized strike becomes necessary. This $25 fee is required of all members. Those who have not paid the fee are not eligible to receive a withdrawal card. GOODBYE DEB! Our Office Manager at the Anchorage Union Office, Deb Humphrey, has retired as of January 31st. She was hired at Carr-Gottstein in 1980 as a Front-End Clerk. She later moved from a Front-End Clerk to File Maintenance, and transferred to the Abbott Carrs #2628 in 2008. She joined our team in November 2010. She has been with our office in various positions for 12 years and will be greatly missed by the office staff as well as many of the members who call here for assistance. We wish her well as she plans to spend more time with her family, traveling and playing golf. Congratulations Deb! SHOP WHERE YOU WORK As the retail landscape becomes more competitive, it's become more important than ever for you to shop where you work. Dollars spent at the non-union competition directly affects the hours offered to employees at your store. It's fine to shop ads, and to shop smart, but it's also important to remember to shop your Union store....your paycheck depends on it! HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM YOUR UNION OFFICERS & STAFF
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: AKUFCWforms@wpas-inc.com - 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.” 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, or the Fairbanks office (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 e-mail to: AKUFCWforms@wpas-inc.com -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. UFCW LOCAL 1496 HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT Each fall, there will be an open enrollment period for health insurance. At this time, you will be required to make a positive election to continue coverage for yourself and any dependents you want covered. If you do not make this election you and your dependents will not be eligible for any plan benefits for the following year. You may also add or remove eligible dependents from your medical, dental, and vision coverage. Any changes you make will be effective on January 1, 2022. You enroll by submitting a completed enrollment form to the Administration Office by the required date. Enrollment forms will be mailed to all eligible Members. LOOK FOR THEM IN YOUR MAILBOX THIS MONTH. FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM WILL CAUSE LOSS OF HEALTH PLAN ELIGIBILITY FOR 2022! There are issues every year of members ignoring this mailout and we are scrambling to get their insurance reinstated after the deadline. Don't be one of them! If you have had a change in address or have not received a form by November 30th, please contact the Plan Administrator at 561-5119 or (800) 478-8329 or the UFCW Local 1496 Office at 258-1496 or (800) 478-1496. A NEW AND EASY WAY TO STAY INFROMED WITH UFCW 1496 NEWS Join the UFCW Local 1496's text blast! It's a simple way to stay informed on Union information such as contract negotiations, membership meetings, Union events, etc. It's easy to join, just follow these steps: 1. Open your phone's camera and place the QR code for your company in the camera frame (no need to take a picture). 2. A link will show and by opening it, you will be taken to your company specific opt-in form. 3. Find your store's location, enter your name and mobile phone number in the specified boxes. 4. Check mark the small box below your information to agree to receiving texts from the Union, then tap "Sign Me Up". 5. You will receive a confirmation text from the Union that you have successfully joined. Reply "YES" to confirm. (message and data rates may apply) It's that easy! Also, any time that you wish to not receive texts from the Union, simply reply "STOP". Your Union Representative will be hanging flyers in the breakroom with your store specific QR code and instructions to join. If you have any issues signing up, please feel free to call our office at 907-258-1496 (or 1-800-478-1496) and we will be happy to help. Stay Informed! Solidarity Works! ANCHORAGE COALITION HEALTH CENTER NEW LOCATION
Effective October 5th the Anchorage Coalition Health Center has moved from the Alaska Regional Hospital to Tudor Park Center at 701 E. Tudor Rd, Suite 120. If you have any questions, give them a call at 907-264-1370 or visit their website at coalitionhealthcenter.com. Remember, it is $0 Co-pay for Well visits and Annual Health Exams, $20 for all other visits. Ages 5 and up, walk-ins and new patients are welcome! 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. |
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