Macy's Workers Stand Together and Win
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UFCW
SUMMER 2011 RECORD Vol. 59, No. 1
Macy’s Workers
Stand Together Macy's official
Bert Kamin
(left) and
RWDSU Local
1-S President
and Win
Ken Bordieri
sign the new
Macy's
contract.
Local 1-S
members ratify
new contract
— pages 8-9
Mid-South Council Convention • pages 4-5
RWDSU Canada News • page 6
Macy's workers had the support of the entire RWDSU during their contract negotiations. Executive Board Meeting • page 7
www.rwdsu.org
Printed in the USA
2 VOL. 59, NO. 1 I SUMMER 2011
R E CORD MESSAGE FROM
E T H E U................page -5
3
IN S I D YOUR OFFICERS
the RW
DS es 4
....pag ntion
rs Join Conve age 6
Worke o un c il . . ........p
uth C ... .. . . 7 President Secretary-Treasurer
Mid-So ews ... ..page
U Ca nada N g .. .. . ......... Stuart Appelbaum Jack Wurm Jr.
RWDS oard M
eetin
ive B
Execu
t s 8-9
t ra c t for .. . .. . .. ...page
on ......... age 10
New C orkers ........p
cy ’s W d a t e 11
Ma Up
L e g is lative
.. .. .. .....page
.
Politica
l& ......... 2-15
ho la r ships . . .. . .. .p ages 1
Sc .........
.
age 16
Union ......... ........p
N ew s . .. . .. ..
Local ........
Safety
Healt h a n d
Published by the
Macy’s Workers Prove Retail Jobs
RETAIL, WHOLESALE & DEPT. STORE UNION, UFCW
30 East 29 Street
New York, N.Y. 10016
Can Be Good Jobs
212-684-5300
Stuart Appelbaum
W
President hen RWDSU Local 1-S members ratified a counterparts in retail are continuing to get squeezed by their
Jack Wurm Jr. strong new contract on June 23, they did more bosses, RWDSU Local 1-S members showed that retail jobs can
Sec.-Treasurer
than secure wage improvements and job secu- be good jobs, and that the trends we’ve seen toward the weaken-
Amelia Tucker
Recorder
rity. They defied a trend throughout the U.S. ing of these jobs are not irreversible.
Lenore Miller
and Canada that sees the quality of retail jobs weakening as cor- Since 1858, shopping at Macy’s has been a quintessential
President Emeritus porations attempt to get more out of employees, while giving New York City experience. Local residents shop there, and
RWDSU RECORD less, than ever before. Everywhere, profitable corporations are tourists flock there to be part of the department store that helped
Official Publication of the Retail, Wholesale &
Department Store Union, UFCW pushing for lower pay and lower benefits, all to line their pock- start it all. The men and women who work there have always
Produced by RWDSU ets as executive compensation packages rise ever higher. been the true magic behind Macy’s. And now, thanks to their
Communications Department solidarity and the strength
Editor, Stuart Appelbaum
Associate Editor, Levi Nayman they have through their
Assistant to the President, Dave Mertz
union, they’ve won a fair
The objectives of the Retail, Wholesale and Department
Store Union are to unite into this organization all workers
The workers at Macy’s are sending a clear contract that acknowl-
employed in its jurisdiction in order to advance and
safeguard their economic and social welfare…The Retail,
message to all working people throughout edges that it’s the workers
Wholesale and Department Store Union will strive to who have made Macy’s
preserve democratic processes, protect civil liberties, aid in
the adoption of legislation which will promote the economic
U.S. and Canada: when people join together in what it is today.
and social welfare of its members and that of labor in
general and to improve the educational, social and cultural
strong unions, they can fight back and win. The workers at
standards of society as a whole. Through unity of purpose Macy’s are sending a clear
and action, through collective bargaining and legislation,
the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union is message to all working
dedicated to the ideal of making the jobs of its members As working people struggle to dig out of the economic people throughout U.S. and Canada: when people join together
the best jobs that can be devised from the point of view
of wages, hours of work, physical conditions and human hardship created by the Great Recession, troubling trends have in strong unions, they can fight back and win. While working
relations. Preamble RWDSU Constitution.
emerged for retail workers. people everywhere have been under assault, the unionized work-
According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ers at Macy’s have been able to make impressive gains. It is a
The RWDSU RECORD is published quarterly by the
reports, since 2006, the inflation-adjusted average wage for re- lesson that working people everywhere need to understand. ■
Retail, Wholesale & Dept. Store Union, UFCW, 30 E. 29 tail jobs has dropped four percent in the U.S. The majority of
Street, New York, N.Y. 10016-7925. Subscription price:
$3.00. Postmaster: Send address changes to RWDSU full-time retail workers are earning below the federal poverty
RECORD at 30 E. 29 Street, New York, N.Y. 10016-
7925. Periodical postage paid at New York, N.Y. and
line for a family of four.
additional mailing offices. And retail jobs are increasing in number, replacing many
PUBLICATIONS MAIL of the other jobs lost during the economic downturn. The BLS
AGREEMENT NO. 40032798
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE numbers show that retail jobs constitute almost half of all recent
CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
2835 Kew Drive
U.S. job growth. It doesn’t take an expert to see that unless we Jack Layton 1950-2011
Windsor, ON N8T 3B7 can improve the quality of retail jobs, the corporate race to the
bottom threatens to trap a generation of working people in an
C
anadians are mourning the loss of National
unending cycle of poverty. Democratic Party leader Jack Layton, who died
Change of Address That’s why the new contract won by over 4,000 Macy’s on August 22. Layton helped build the NDP into
New Address (Please print)
workers at the flagship Manhattan store in Herald Square and at a powerful ally of working people and the mid-
Name three stores in the Bronx, Queens, and Westchester, is so impor- dle class in Canada, and he had a close relationship with the
Street tant. In this issue of The Record, you’ll read about how RWDSU RWDSU, personally involving himself on behalf of
Local 1-S members at these stores won a strong new contract RWDSU members at Mott’s and Loblaw’s when they
City
that raised wages and protected benefits, and brought landmark needed his help. Read more about Jack Layton and what he
State/Prov. Zip/Postal Code provisions that workers there had sought for years. Macy’s meant for working people on page 13. ■
workers in New York were able to prove that retail jobs can help
Union Local No.
build quality lives for themselves and their families. While their
Please enclose old address label from this issue
of the Record. Please send this form at least two
weeks before moving to:
RWDSU RECORD
30 East 29th Street
NewYork, N.Y. 10016
SUMMER 2011 I VOL. 59, NO. 1 3
New Local 1102 Members Win Change
WDSU Local 1102 has organized “We are happy to be Local 1102
R new members at two Long Island,
New York workplaces, bringing
them the respect and a voice on
the job that only comes with union mem-
bership. The new members are employed as
members and are looking forward to enjoy-
ing the benefits of being union members, just
like other food service workers on the
Hofstra Campus,” said Miguel Bolanos. ■
food service workers at Hofstra University
and East Moriches School District.
At Hofstra’s Breslin Hall, the new
members are employees of Lackmann —
We are looking forward
food service workers at the Au Bon Pain at to enjoying the benefits
the law school café. The workers join many
other Local 1102 members who work as of being union members,
groundskeepers, bus drivers, and custodi-
ans at Hofstra. just like other food
“The Lackmann employees wanted
the same kind of respect and benefits that
service workers on the
other Local 1102 members were getting at Hofstra campus.
Hofstra, and decided they wanted to organ-
ize,” said Local 1102 President Frank Bail.
But it wasn’t going to be easy.
Lackmann fought the workers’ wishes to New Local 1102 members Miguel Bolanos (left) and Jose Martinez are employed at Hofstra University.
organize, holding anti-union meetings daily
and distributing anti-union literature. The
union fought back, keeping employees in-
formed of their rights and the issues in the
organizing campaign. Students at the uni-
versity took note, and included a compre-
hensive story about the organizing drive in
Over 500 Workers Win RWDSU
the student newspaper.
The employees voted overwhelm-
ingly in favor of Local 1102 representation
Voice in Louisiana and Virginia
on May 13.
he RWDSU Mid-South Council of the agreement, establishes seven paid and employs close to 500 workers.
T
On June 22, the Aramark food serv-
ice workers at East Moriches School has brought RWDSU representa- holidays, and creates an affordable health Along with the union certification,
District ratified their first union contract. tion to over 500 workers at two care plan for the workers there. A vacation workers at the plant also have ratified their
The Aramark workers joined Local 1102 in plants in southern states, and they policy was also established giving employ- first union contract, which gives them guar-
January after their employer agreed to card are already enjoying the benefits of their ees a week of vacation time after one year anteed wage increases, vacations, holiday
check recognition. first union contracts. on the job, and two weeks of vacation after pay, and grievance and arbitration proce-
Employees had worked there for The 80 workers at the Premium Pet three years. dures.
several years without wage increases, but Health plant in Virginia won RWDSU rep- In Louisiana, workers at the DG “Along with wage and benefit im-
that’s changed thanks to their new agree- resentation through card check recognition, Foods poultry deboning plant in Bastrop provements, these workers have won griev-
ment. The three-year contract brings annual and soon after ratified their first RWDSU chose to join the RWDSU Mid-South ance procedures, arbitration, respect in the
wage increases, additional paid time off, contract. Council through a card check certification. worplace and a voice on the job,” said Mid-
longevity allowances, and most impor- The workers, who produce pet food The deboning facility, which just opened South Council President John Whitaker.
tantly, the protections and voice on the job products, ratified a five-year contract. The last year, produces products like chicken “These are the things that only come
brought by union representation. pact institutes raises of $2.50 over the life tenders for restaurants and supermarkets with a union contract,” Whitaker added. ■
Pennsylvania Nursing Home Workers
Join Local 1034
WDSU Local 1034 has wel- “We’ve got wage and benefit improve-
R comed another 80 nursing home
workers into the RWDSU. The
employees of Kingston Commons
nursing home in Kingston, Pennsylvania
voted to join over 300 nursing home work-
ments, but most importantly, we’ve got a
say on how things are done around here
now.”
Wages will increase every six
months over the life of the two-year agree-
ers who have become Local 1034 members ment, and a 401K plan has been created for
over the past two years. all of the workers. In addition, with a union
It didn’t take long for the members contract comes seniority protocols and pro-
to see the change that a union brings. tection against the favoritism and unfair
Shortly after voting to join Local 1034, the treatment that the workers sought to end
workers overwhelmingly ratified their first when they joined RWDSU Local 1034. ■
union contract.
“It was time for a change at (l to r) RWDSU Organizer Paul Bazemore, new Local
Kingston Commons, and with our new 1034 member Lucy Hurst, RWDSU Organizer Allen
union contract, we are finally seeing it,” Mayne, RWDSU Organizer Luis Lopez, Local 1034
Sec.-Treas. Gary Barker, and Local 1034 Pres.
said Certified Nurses Aide Lucy Hurst. Joseph DiCamillo.
4 VOL. 59, NO. 1 I SUMMER 2011
Action and Transition at Mid-South
Council Convention
WDSU members of the formerly
R named Alabama and Mid-South
Council held their bi-annual con-
vention on June 24-26 in
Montgomery, Alabama. Their first order of
business was re-naming the council to bet-
ter reflect its growth.
Through a unanimous vote, dele-
gates approved the new name, the RWDSU
Mid-South Council.
“This council started out many
years ago serving just Alabama, but we’ve
grown and now represent members in
Louisiana, Mississippi, the Florida
Panhandle, Tennessee, Virginia, and also
Ohio,” said Mid-South Council President
John Whitaker. “This change in title re-
spects our history and also where we are
going as a council.”
Torch Passed to New
Generation
The change in name for the council wasn’t
the only transition at the convention. Henry
Jenkins, who has served as council presi- Mid-South Council members came from across the South and Ohio.
dent since 1979, and has been an RWDSU
member since he took a job at Ward Bakery years, fighting for the rights of workers,
in Birmingham in 1948, announced his re- has built a platform that’s going to allow us
tirement. to take things to the next level. Without his
Jenkins served as a shop steward at leadership, direction, and training, we’d
the bakery, and in 1961 went to work as an never have had the ability to help lead this
organizer for the RWDSU. Organizing in union into the future. It wasn’t easy for
the deep South during those days was both Henry, but he never lost sight of how im-
difficult and dangerous. Over the years, portant unions are for working people in
Jenkins was harassed by local police, com- the South. We’ll all try to live up to his ex-
pany goons, and others who didn’t like the ample,” Whitaker said.
fact that African-Americans were trying to James Shackelford was elected to
win a union voice. On occasion, Jenkins lit- his first term as Secretary-Treasurer.
erally came under fire. Shackelford worked as a knife sharpener at
“In 1964 I was driving to Whitfield
Foods in Montgomery to talk with the
workers who were trying to organize. I was
eating a sandwich and heard a loud pop. I
pulled over and saw that my windshield had
Being sworn in by RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum are (left to right standing) Vice-
been cracked. A bullet had hit the chrome President Jerry Foster, Secretary-Treasurer James Shackeford, President John Whitaker,
on my ’62 ford and ricocheted into the win- Recorder Fay Veasley, and Vice-Presidents Jeff Kidder and Randy Haddley.
dow,” Jenkins said. “And that wasn’t the
only time something like that happened.”
But Jenkins never gave up, and
helped bring a union voice to thousands of
workers in Alabama who needed a union to
help them stand up for themselves.
“I wasn’t going to quit, I was going
to hang on in there and do what was right.
It was true then and it’s true now: unions
are the only survival for working people,”
Jenkins said.
John Whitaker was elected to serve
as the new Mid-South Council President.
Whitaker became an RWDSU member as a
dairy worker in 1971, and first became an
RWDSU representative in 1990. Whitaker
was among many RWDSU leaders, includ-
ing RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum
and Secretary-Treasurer Jack Wurm, who
praised Jenkins for his work in building the
Mid-South Council into what it is today.
“Everybody on staff, and everybody
who is a member of the Mid-South
Council, owes everything to Henry Jenkins.
His hard work and dedication over the
SUMMER 2011 I VOL. 59, NO. 1 5
about special IRS provisions for taxpayers
in areas declared "disaster areas" by FEMA.
He also discussed other tax breaks available
for some Mid-South Council members.
Recognizing the
Contributions of
RWDSU Members
The meeting provided an opportunity to
recognize the efforts of RWDSU members
in building the union and serving the com-
munity. Mid-South Council V.P. Jerry
Foster started by calling upon all attendees
who served in the military, or have a spouse
in the services, to stand up and be recog-
nized for their efforts in protecting all of us.
“We thank them for the sacrifices
you are making for all of us,” Foster said to
applause.
Mid-South Council Secretary-Treasurer James Shackelford preaches to attendees about how they can get involved in internal organizing. President Whitaker gave awards to
delegates whose internal organizing efforts
have helped build the strength of the union.
Wayne Farms Poultry in Decatur, Alabama, states, along with a preview of the 2012 pres- RWDSU Health and Safety Director “We began this renewed internal or-
and became involved in the union, eventu- idential election and the importance of get- Steve Mooser answered questions about ganizing four years ago, and it’s been very ef-
ally becoming a shop steward and then ting involved and staying involved in politics. workplace safety, and touched on issues fective thanks to your work,” Whitaker said.
joining the Mid-South Council staff in Stewart Burkhalter Jr., president of the like health and safety committees and the Whitaker also gave an award recog-
2006. In Mississippi, he helped double the Alabama AFL-CIO, also spoke with atten- rights workers have on the job. nizing Linda Ammon and Jeff Kidder from
RWDSU’s membership, and throughout the dees about the political situation in Alabama, Many Mid-South Council members the Fresh Mark pork processing plant in
Mid-South region helped organize six and the attacks that workers’ rights have been have been affected by the terrible recent Masillon, Ohio, for their work in fighting
workplaces. under across the U.S. since the Republicans storms and tornados in the region, and for the rights of working people. Ammon
Also elected to four-year terms were took control of the U.S. House. RWDSU Comptroller gave a presentation and Kidder have been deeply involved in
Recorder Faye Beasley, and Vice Presidents
Jerry Foster, Randy Hadley, and Jeff Retiring Mid-
Kidder. All were sworn in by President South
Council
Appelbaum.
President
Henry
Jenkins
Training and Political receives an
award from
Action Tyson
workers.
The 175 delegates and their guests attended RWDSU
President
numerous training sessions and workshops. Stuart
A steward training class focusing on inter- Appelbaum
nal organizing was taught by Shackelford (far right)
was among
and Mercer. Internal organizing has be- those
come a very important and successful pro- recognizing
gram for the Mid-South Council, and has Jenkins for
his decades
helped keep membership numbers up. of service to
Linda Cromer gave a presentation on griev- the union.
ance handling, which is one of the most im-
portant duties shop stewards provide for
fellow members.
RWDSU Political Director Ademola
Oyefoso gave a presentation on important
upcoming elections in Mid-South Council
the pushback fight against SB-5, a law
which severely restricts and undermines the
rights of workers to organize in Ohio.
The Mid-South Council presented
an award to members who traveled to Pratt
City, Alabama to aid the community after it
was hit by devastating tornados (see story
on page 3).
Mid-South Council members who
work at the Tyson poultry plant in
Carthage, Mississippi, presented an award
to Henry Jenkins, thanking him for his
years of service to them and all working
people in the South since he became in-
volved in the labor movement.
“This meeting really showcased the
Mid-South Council as it is today, and how
it’s grown since Henry became president in
1979,” Whitaker said. “We are going to keep
that work going and we are going to keep
fighting for working people in the South.” ■
6 VOL. 59, NO. 1 I SUMMER 2011
Union Wins Back Pay at Massey – Twice!
hen RWDSU members at make sure the contract was adhered to.
W Massey Wholesale in
Massey, Ontario, won a
strong new contract last year,
one of the provisions of the agreement
guaranteed certain seniority provisions for
The union filed a grievance, and the
company agreed to pay Goddard for 44
hours of work he was owed. Normally, this
would be the end of it, and going forward,
the word of the contract would be re-
route drivers designed to protect these spected. In this case however, the company
workers’ hours. again failed to abide by the contract, result-
One of the drivers who was sup- ing in another grievance, this time for 58
posed to see his hours protected was Kevin hours. Again, the company paid, and now,
Goddard. However, Goddard quickly found finally, is scheduling in adherence with the
that his scheduling didn’t reflect the new contract. All told, Goddard received over
language contained in the contract, and that $1,800 from the two grievances.
he wasn’t receiving as many hours as he “The whole reason we have a union
was supposed to. is to get it in writing, and to have a collec-
“I knew that the seniority provisions tive bargaining agreement which spells out
in the contract we had just ratified guaran- what we are owed,” Goddard said. “We rati-
teed me a certain number of hours, and I fied a good contract, and when the com-
knew I wasn’t getting them. I was upset,” pany failed to live up to it, the union went
Goddard said. to bat for me — twice — to make sure they
Fortunately for Goddard, he had a did. Working with a union voice is the only
union contract, and a union that would way to go.” ■
First RWDSU Massey Wholesale driver Kevin Goddard (left) receives a grievance check from NJC Business Agent
Rob Cullen.
Contract at Sleep Inn
Safety First for
RWDSU Drivers
WDSU Local 582 member Suzanne Harman has been driving kids in Ontario to
R school safely for 25 years as an employee of First Student Canada. At an awards
breakfast earlier this year, her record of safety was recognized by the company
and the Northern Joint Council.
At the awards breakfast, held every year, drivers are given pins in five year incre-
ments noting their accident-free records. Harman received her 25-year pin, along with a
Sleep Inn employees in Sault Ste. Marie are the latest Ontario hotel workers to join the Northern Joint
framed picture and plaque noting her new milestone.
Council. The event was held at the Canadian Motor Hotel, where RWDSU Local 582 mem-
bers work. ■
n May 16, the RWDSU Local 582 members employed at Sleep Inn in Sault Ste.
O
(left to right)
Marie, Ontario, ratified their first union contract after organizing late last year. RWDSU NJC
Business
The Northern Joint Council members joined the RWDSU to address a host of is- Agent Rob
sues including low wages and not having their concerns heard on the job. Word Cullen, Local
of mouth is spreading through the province about the RWDSU difference at hotels in the 582 member
Suzanne
area, and Sleep Inn workers decided they wanted the kind of change that having union rep- Harman, First
resentation would bring. Student
“They were tired of years of no seniority rights, unequal treatment, bogus disci- Canada
Regional VP
plines, disrespect, and with all this, being amongst the lowest wage earners in the hospital- Tony Wilson,
ity industry in the city — Ontario minimum wage,” said Northern Joint Council and First
Representative Rob Cullen. “With the new contract, we’ve addressed these issues, and the Student
Canada
workers have won even more.” Branch
The contract includes a $1 per hour wage increase instantly, with three percent in- Manager Ken
creases in years two and three of the three-year pact. Guaranteed vacations, paid sick days, Whorpole.
and holidays, have been written into the contract, along with seniority provisions and a
grievance procedure.
The biggest change for Sleep Inn workers, however, is the fact that they now have a
union voice, and the respect on the job that comes with it. ■
SUMMER 2011 I VOL. 59, NO. 1 7
At Executive Board Meeting, Focus on
Fighting Attacks on Working People
he RWDSU Executive Board met
T on May 16-18, and it provided a
chance for RWDSU leaders from
across the U.S. and Canada to dis-
cuss what is happening in their regions,
and how RWDSU members are tackling
There’s a close relationship between the RWDSU
and the UFCW, and when it comes to organizing
we are all fighting to increase membership and
obstacles and moving forward as we con-
tinue to make sure our voices are heard in
raise standards. And these efforts are paying off.
the workplace.
A common thread during the meet-
ing was the importance of uniting against
attacks on working people – both legisla-
tively and in the workplace – and improv-
ing the lives of working families through
collective bargaining and growing the
union.
Working People Fight
Back and Get
Involved
Political action and the attacks on working
people in states like Wisconsin, Ohio, and
Indiana took center stage among board
members and the labor leaders who were
guests of the RWDSU at the meeting. (left to right) RWDSU Secretary-Treasurer Jack Wurm, UFCW President Joe Hansen, RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum, UFCW Executive V.P. and Organizing
United Food and Commercial Workers Director Patrick J. O'Neill, and RWDSU Recorder AmeliaTucker.
President Joe Hansen called these legisla-
tive attacks, which in many cases would
strip away the rights of private sector work- of State, County and Municipal Employees Congress,” Appelbaum added. activists are working together to help grow
ers to bargain collectively, “the biggest union, described the many ways that work- Thousands of RWDSU members the union movement.
threat to workers’ rights in my lifetime.” ers are pushing back against this legislative live and work in Michigan, and Michigan “There’s a close relationship be-
Hansen talked about how the anti- assault and echoed the sentiments that a State AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney tween the RWDSU and the UFCW, and
worker movement has seized the agenda, new generation of activists has been cre- discussed political strategies to protect and when it comes to organizing we are all
and used the opportunity to scale back ated. advance members there. According to fighting to increase membership and raise
workers’ rights under the pretense of bal- “I am seeing a new level of engage- Gaffney, winning for working people in standards. And these efforts are paying off,”
ancing state budgets. ment in this country. People are working to- 2012 is possible if the union voter turnout O’Neill said. “Whatever we do, it’s a team
But, according to Hansen, these ini- gether closely to fight these attacks,” is similar to successful efforts of 2008. effort.”
tiatives – like SB-5 in Ohio and the so- Saunders said. “There were 300,000 fewer voters in O’Neill praised the RWDSU’s Retail
called Budget Repair Bill in Wisconsin – “The 2012 elections are clearly Michigan in 2010 than there were in 2008, Action Project as an innovative organizing
have had an unintended consequence. going to be key if we are going to survive and we need these votes back. And it’s key campaign, and updated the board on many
“More and more, we are seeing and move forward,” said RWDSU President for both Michigan and the nation,” Gaffney of the UFCW’s large-scale organizing proj-
union members get involved in these cam- Stuart Appelbaum. “It’s not too early to said. ects throughout the U.S.
paigns, and get involved in politics to a de- start thinking about this. We need to keep UFCW Wal-Mart Campaign
gree that we haven’t seen. We aren’t scared, the White House and Senate in the hands of Director Dan Schlademan and UFCW
and we aren’t lying down and accepting allies of working people, and fight to win Region 1 President Rich Whalen gave a Leadership
these attacks,” Hansen added. back the House. We’ve got our backs to the presentation on Wal-Mart, and how ac- Transitions
Lee Saunders, international secre- wall now, but there is no telling what kind tivists across the U.S. and Canada are
tary-treasurer of the American Federation of damage will be done if the Republicans working to raise workplace standards at the The board meeting also saw the next gener-
win control of the White House and 800 pound gorilla of retail, and hopefully, ation of RWDSU activists step up as some
bring a union voice to Wal-Mart employees longtime RWDSU leaders retired.
who desperately need it. RWDSU Southeast Council
President Tom Stufflebean announced his
retirement, with Southeast Council
Building A Stronger Secretary-Treasurer Edgar Fields stepping
Union in as the new president.
RWDSU Local 3 President Ida
The Executive Board focused on the impor- Torres, who came to the Bloomingdale’s
tance of organizing new members into the local in 1954, also announced her retire-
RWDSU, and the strategies that can help ment. Stepping up as new Local 3 president
workers succeed in winning a union voice. is Local 3 Secretary-Treasurer Cassandra
UFCW Executive Vice President and Berrocal.
Organizing Director Patrick J. O'Neill The Executive Board also elected
joined with the board to discuss the Fields, Berrocal, and new RWDSU Local
UFCW’s organizing efforts, and how union 670 President Themla Winston as new
RWDSU Vice Presidents. RWDSU
Northern Joint Council Secretary-Treasurer
(left to right) Jeff Barry was elected to the RWDSU Jeff Barry was elected to the RWDSU
Advisory Council, and Cassandra Berrocal,Thelma Advisory Council. All were sworn in dur-
Winston, and Edgar Fields were elected as new ing the meeting. ■
RWDSU Vice Presidents.
8 VOL. 59, NO. 1 I SUMMER 2011
For 4,000 M
A Strong Ne
Macy’s workers and their
supporters came out in
force at the June 8 rally.
n June 23, after long and intense
O contract negotiations that saw
RWDSU Local 1-S members
vote to authorize a possible
strike, 4,000 workers at four Macy’s stores
in New York voted overwhelmingly to rat-
ify a contract with the company. The five-
year contract between the union and Macy’s
was ratified by workers at the Herald
Square flagship store in Manhattan and
workers at three stores in the Bronx,
Queens, and Westchester, with union mem-
bers approving the new contract by a 10-to-
1 margin.
The overwhelming number who
voted in favor of the contract is unprece-
dented for Local 1-S, and reflects the
strength of the contract and the many gains
that were achieved by and for the workers.
Key provisions of the contract include a
general wage increase of $3.05 during the
contract, more control over scheduling,
guaranteed hours, and lower healthcare
costs. Also, members of the fragrance and
cosmetics staff, who work on commission,
will receive prorated pay, or their average
commission, for vacations, holidays and
sick days — which is a landmark victory
for them.
“This is a very good contract, with As Deadline Looms, “This has always been a good job
working at Macy’s, one that supports fami-
they quickly found out that they weren’t
alone. They were standing together with
the highest raises I’ve ever seen,” said
Men’s department employee Rafael Lord,
Support and Resolve lies with good wages and benefits,” Willis their fellow workers at Macy’s, and they
who has worked at Macy’s for 18 years. Grows said. “But I was worried.”
Rafael Lord was also feeling the
had the whole RWDSU — and other work-
ing people in New York City and beyond —
“Thanks to this contract, my job and all of While in the end a fair contract was heat. standing with them.
the jobs at these stores will remain good negotiated and ratified with overwhelming “I was really worried about raises, On June 8, hundreds of activists ral-
jobs.” worker support, just two weeks earlier a and medical benefits — everyone was. It lied in front of the famous Macy’s store at
“Every segment of the Macy’s work- new contract seemed like anything but a didn’t look like the company was going to Herald Square on 34th Street in New York
force we represent benefits from this new sure thing. In fact, the prospects looked budge on any of that stuff, and this good to show their support for the workers. The
contract,” said Local 1-S President Ken dim. job I’ve had for 18 years was in danger of hot sun was no match for Macy’s workers
Bordieri. “The contract will improve the According to Celois Willis, a 12- turning into something less,” Lord said. and the labor leaders, elected officials, and
lives of all these workers, who stood up and year Macy’s veteran who works in process- While Macy’s workers were con- union members who came out for hours to
spoke in one unified voice during negotia- ing, Local 1-S members were concerned cerned about the progress of negotiations, support them. Passersby stayed to listen to
tions and fought for each other and what about what might happen to their jobs.
they knew was right.”
SUMMER 2011 I VOL. 59, NO. 1 9
Macy’s Workers,
ew Contract
(left to right) Local 1-S Secretary-Treasurer Gail Rogers, Macy's official Bert Kamin, RWDSU
President Stuart Appelbaum, Local 1-S President Ken Bordieri, and Local 1-S Vice President
Angella Harding at the contract signing.
(above) Macy’s workers cast their votes (at right) During negotiations,
during the contract ratification. RWDSU members let Macy’s
customers know that the workers
there — the real magic of Macy’s
— were trying to secure a fair
contract.
the band, hear speakers, and read pam- workers talk on the stage, and seeing how
phlets which highlighted the fact that the many of us came out on our own time to
Standing Together, And with their support, the negotiat-
ing committee was able to present them
real “magic behind Macy’s,” — the work- rally, I saw that we really were in this thing Winning together with a contract that moved them ahead and
ing men and women who have made shop- together, and we weren’t going to give up.” secured good wages and benefits.
Throughout the negotiation process, and in-
ping there such a quintessential New York “I was on my day off, but I came out According to Raymond Castro, the
spired by the support they were receiving,
City experience — deserved a fair contract. to the rally to show my co-workers how new contract — and the long journey trav-
Macy’s workers stuck together and held
“That rally showed me that we could strongly I felt about standing together,” said eled to win it — was worth the wait.
strong. They attended union meetings in
do it, and it made me believe that we would Diane Smith, who started working at “I’m starting a family, and this im-
large numbers and used social media like
win a fair contract,” said Raymond Castro, Macy’s in 1998 and is now a shop steward proved contract — the best one I’ve seen
Facebook to support each other and keep
who has worked at Macy’s for seven years. at Macy’s Herald Square. “What I saw was since I started working here — is the foun-
informed. All the while, with a deadline
“It was amazing to see how much support really inspiring — hundreds of people all dation,” said Castro, who is engaged to be
looming for a possible strike, they kept
we had, and how it important it was to committed to the same thing, a fair contract married. “I have to be able to put food on
doing their jobs professionally and serving
working people across the city that we for Macy’s workers that moved us forward.” the table, buy clothes for my kids, and sup-
Macy’s customers in the manner that they
stand up for ourselves. And seeing Macy’s port my family. Thanks to this new con-
have come to expect over the last century
tract, my job at Macy’s will be able to
and a half.
provide for that.” ■
10 VOL. 59, NO. 1 I SUMMER 2011
RWDSU P O L I T I C A L & L E G I S L AT I V E U P DAT E
Fight Against SB-5 Heats Up in Ohio
— Vote No on Nov. 8!
n March 31, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 5 (SB-5) into law,
O giving the Republican-dominated Senate and their big business allies in Ohio a
victory over working people. SB-5 eliminates collective bargaining rights for
state employees, ends binding arbitration for police and firefighters, and makes
sweeping changes crippling the bargaining rights for teachers and local government em-
ployees. Countless rights won by unionized workers — including seniority, sick days and
pay increases — were eliminated.
Passage of the law, however, was just the beginning. Working people and activists
in the state are fighting back, and now the law is headed toward a November 8 referen-
dum, when voters will be able to overturn the anti-worker, anti-union legislation.
A vote of “no” means a vote against SB-5. Recent polls show that a majority of
Ohio voters are against the law. Over 1.3 million signatures were gathered to have SB-5
put to a referendum vote, far exceeding the 230,000 needed.
RWDSU members have been active in the fight against SB-5 since it was intro-
duced in the senate, and are now gearing up for the crucial referendum vote.
“We are getting ready for the vote, and we’ll be heading out and going door to door
to get the word out about how important this vote is for the rights of Ohioans,” said
RWDSU Representative Rick Marshall. “The RWDSU and UFCW support the firemen,
policemen, and state workers who have had their rights destroyed by SB-5, and we also
know that it’s part of a broader war against workers’ rights. We’ve got to stop them now,”
Marshall added. ■
RWDSU members in Ohio have been on the front lines to repeal SB-5. A vote of “no” is a vote against the
anti-worker law.
Republicans Pay a
Price in Wisconsin
n Wednesday, March 9, “Recall elections are historically very hard
O Wisconsin Republicans voted 18-
1 to strip public sector workers of
their union rights. It was the cul-
mination of an assault on working people
that began in February, when Wisconsin
to win — only two have succeeded in
Wisconsin in 80 years. Wisconsin voters
are clearly upset at the sleight-of-hand
Republicans used to punish working people
and unions. While we didn’t win everything
Governor Scott Walker and the Republican- we wanted, this shows that when we get our
dominated legislature introduced a “budget message out there, voters will respond,”
repair” bill — which was in fact a thinly- Oyefeso added. ■
veiled anti-union, anti-worker piece of leg-
islation designed to strip away most Earlier this year, RWDSU activists were among
those attending a rally in NewYork City opposing
collective bargaining rights from state the Wisconsin Repubicans’ attacks on workers’
workers while raising health care costs and rights.
slashing pension benefits.
On August 9, Wisconsin voters
showed that there was a price to be paid for
attacking workers’ rights, as two Wisconsin
Republican state senators who had voted
for the bill were replaced by pro-worker
NLRB Announces Proposed
Democratic challengers. While voters did
not recall enough Republicans to remove
their majority, the gap was closed from a
Streamlining of Election Process
commanding 19-14 GOP advantage to a
he National Labor Relations Board tion of most voter eligibility issues until Oyefeso. “Since the election of President
slim 17-16 majority.
“What this recall election showed
was that Republicans in Wisconsin are pay-
ing a price for using a budget crisis largely
of their own doing — tax cuts for big busi-
ness and millions of dollars for private
T announced on June 21 that it is
proposing amendments that will
change union election rules and
regulations to “streamline pre- and post-
election procedures.”
after workers have voted on whether or not
they want to join a union. The changes will
remove unnecessary barriers to fair union
elections.
“Clearly, these proposed amend-
Obama, we’ve seen a clear shift at the
NLRB, which is now taking into account
the concerns of working people.”
The proposed changes come on the
heels of an April NLRB ruling that
The proposed amendments would ments are a positive step toward eliminat- Boeing’s move of a production line from
health savings accounts are largely respon-
allow for electronic filing of election peti- ing the obstacles that have delayed and Washington state to South Carolina was il-
sible for budget shortfalls — as an excuse
tions, establish set time frames for em- complicated union elections for decades,” legally instituted to punish workers for pre-
to attack working people,” said RWDSU
ployer and union exchange of information said RWDSU Political Director Ademola viously going on strike. ■
Political Director Ademola Oyefeso.
and the election process, and defer litiga-SUMMER 2011 I VOL. 59, NO. 1 11
Local 338 Supporting New York Students
n June 15, Local 338 held its an- The 2011 winners will receive Alexander Luzynski won the 2011 addressed the scholarship winners at the
O nual luncheon to honor the recip-
ients of this year’s Local 338
Scholarship Program. Eleven
outstanding high school graduates won
scholarships through the union. All are
$1,000 towards their first year of college.
They are:
James Bisogno, Nicole Capellupo,
Pellegrino Cioffi, Michael DeMeo, Mahir
Karim, Matthew Menke, Andrea Pagani,
Emanuel Laub Memorial Scholarship
Award, which honors the memory of the
former Local 338 President. Luzynski will
receive a total of $4,000 ($1,000 per year)
over the next four years for his college edu-
luncheon.
“No matter where, or in what direc-
tion your future might take you, remember
the labor movement. Never forget that
Local 338 is proud of you and that you are
Local 338 members or part of Local 338 Mohammad Radiyat, Nicole Sacco, and cation. part of our Union family,” Durso said. ■
families. Local 338 has sponsored the Mert Saglam Local 338 President John R. Durso
scholarship for nearly 30 years.
The 2011 Local 338 Scholarship Recipients (holding checks) with (left to right) Local 338 Sec-Treas.
Cacciola Scholarships Murray Morrissey, Director, Center for Study of Labor and Democracy Hofstra University Dr. Greg
E. DeFrietas, Assistant to the Local 338 Funds Administrator Maria Scheffler; Local 338 Funds
Administrator Charlie Hamilton, and Local 338 President John R. Durso.
Aid Education in
New England
ocal 513 continued its commitment Refreshments (Needham) employee Joseph
L to helping further the education of
RWDSU members and their fami-
lies on May 10, awarding its 2011
Anthony M. Cacciola scholarship to four
high school and college students. The win-
MacDonald, who will be attending
Plymouth State University in the fall;
Katelyn Moore, daughter of Coca-Cola
Bottling (Lowell) employee Peter Moore,
who is majoring in English and Business at
Union Plus Scholarship
Win for Local 224 Family
ners will all receive $1,000 toward their Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; and
avid Melnichuk, son of Ivan Melnichuk, a
D
collegiate education. The scholarship cele- Julie Rahilly, daughter of Coca-Cola
brates the memory of former Local 513 Bottling (Lowell) employee Daniel Rahilly, RWDSU Local 224 member who works for
Business Agent Anthony M. Cacciola. The who is currently studying architecture at Hasbro in Massachusetts, has won a Union Plus
scholarships were awarded at a dinner held Wentworth Institute of Technology. ■ scholarship. Union Plus benefits like this scholar-
in Boston. ship are available only to union members.
RWDSU Melnichuk is majoring in computer science at Loyola
President Emeritus University Chicago. He became interested in pursuing a ca-
Lenore Miller was on reer in the field of computer security after hackers broke
hand to congratulate the into his website.
students. The scholarship According to Melnichuk, growing up in a union
winners are: household has given him an appreciation for the difference
Tyler DiMauro, having a union makes for working people.
son of Coca-Cola “Having a union made sure we had hard-won union David Melnichuk
Bottling (Lowell) em- wages in our household, and a great health care plan, which
ployee Armand came in handy many times when I was growing up,”
DiMauro, who will be at- Melnichuk said. “Unions play a large role in well-being of working people, and it’s impor-
tending Bryant tant we keep them strong.”
University in the fall; Union Plus is currently accepting applications for their 2012 scholarships. The
(left to right)Tyler DiMauro, Local 513 treasurer Gary Miner, Amy deadline for entries is January 31, 2012. Visit www.unionplus.org for more information,
Amy MacDonald, daugh- MacDonald, Local 513 President Dennis Beaulieu, Julie Rahilly, NEJB
ter of Coca-Cola presidentTina Buonaugorio and RWDSU President Emeritus Lenore Miller. and to apply for scholarships online. ■12 VOL. 59, NO. 1 I SUMMER 2011
Officers Elected at Indiana
Joint Board Convention Elections at
n Friday, June 24, the RWDSU
Good Humor-
O Indiana Joint Board held its 20th
Quadrennial Convention in
Anderson, Indiana. At the conven-
tion, delegates elected officers to new four-
year terms, and discussed organizing and
Breyer
n Saturday, April 19, members of
political strategies in the region, where
RWDSU members work in private and public
sector jobs including city street maintenance,
emergency medical services, dairy production,
and bakeries.
IJB President Dave Altman discussed
O RWDSU Local 835 who work at
the Good Humor-Breyer Ice
Cream Plant in Huntington,
Indiana, held their unit officer election.
Elected to a new two-year term of office
are Chairman Dave Getman, Vice-
the ongoing fight for workers’ rights in
Chairman Scott Pinney, Chief Steward
Indiana, including the “constant threat” of
Tony Warner, Recording Secretary Sandy
right-to-work legislation that continues to
Pinny, and Sergeant-at-Arms Tim
loom over unions and working people in the
Whiteman. Kris Burnau was elected as the
state.
extra grievance committeeperson.
RWDSU Vice President and Regional
Good Humor-Breyer employs one
Director Randy Belliel was a guest at the con-
hundred fifty three RWDSU members at
vention, and he discussed the RWDSU’s activ-
the facility in Huntington, Indiana. ■
ities throughout the U.S. and Canada, focusing
on organizing efforts in the Midwest.
Belliel also conducted the nomination
and election of officers. Elected were IJB
President David Altman, IJB Secretary-
Treasurer Mike Strack, and Recorder Todd
James. ■
Pictured bottom to top, left to right are: Mike Strack,Todd James, David Altman, Steve Foster, Cathy
Pfeiffer, JohnTaulbee,Terry LaMon,Todd Maiden, Karen Burnside, Ed James,Tim Brunson, Melvin Merz,
Dave Getman, Bruce Reuille, and Diana Jones.
(left to right)Tony Warner,
Scott Pinney,Tim Whiteman,
www.rwdsu.org
Sandy Pinney and Dave
Getman.
Visit the RWDSU
website at
www.rwdsu.org.
The web site
contains up-to-date Local 513 Members
news, videos, and
photos giving an
overview of your
Win Improvements
union’s activi-
ties and the
at Coca-Cola
members who orkers at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Lowell, Massachusetts,
make it a
special organization. Check it regularly for scholarship
announcements, local union news, and important
political updates to keep you informed on the issues
W have ratified a new three-year contract. The contract is highlighted by a
$1.60 hourly wage increase over life of the contract, and an eight percent
increase in pension benefits. RWDSU Local 513 members ratified the
contract with a unanimous vote.
The negotiating team was headed by New England Joint Board President Tina
affecting working people today. Download scholarship Buonaugorio and Local 513 Stewards Gary Miner and David Manktelow. ■
applications and write your representatives!
All through www.rwdsu.org.
Find us on Facebook —
Retail Wholesale and
Department Store Union (RWDSU)
Follow us on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/rwdsu
RWDSU Local 513 members won wage and pension benefit improvements.SUMMER 2011 I VOL. 59, NO. 1 13
RWDSU Mourns Loss of NDP Leader
Jack Layton (1950-2011)
anadian New Democratic Party obscenely high bonuses, and trying to roll
C
In August, 2010, Jack
Layton joined the
(NDP) leader Jack Layton died RWDSU as a
back wages and benefits on the working
the morning of August 22 in featured speaker at men and women who have helped them
Toronto after a long battle with the 21st RWDSU earn their profits,” Layton said.
Quadrennial
cancer. He was a tireless fighter for work- Convention,
“That’s why the NDP is partners
ing people. speaking out in with the RWDSU. We think it’s wrong, and
“Jack Layton was more than just an support of Mott’s we are proud to stand with workers against
workers in
elected official, he was a friend of this Williamson, New
corporate greed,” Layton added.
union,” said RWDSU Northern Joint York, who were on “Layton’s leadership made the NDP
Council President Derik McArthur. “He strike for a fair a force to be reckoned with in Canadian
contract, and
was never more than a phone call away for RWDSU members
politics,” said RWDSU President Stuart
us, and he was always ready to step in and employed at Appelbaum. “His death leaves a huge hole
help RWDSU members — and all working Loblaw’s in to fill for the NDP, but they must continue
Sudbury.
people — when that call came. We’ll miss building upon the foundation Layton
him but we’ll keep fighting for what he be- helped create, to honor his legacy and ful-
lieved in — a Canada that is built on the fill the promise that is so close to being re-
middle class.” alized — a government in Canada that
In 2010, Layton got involved in the fights for the interests of working people
fight for a fair contract at Mott’s in and the middle class, instead of the big-
Williamson, New York, where over 300 business interests that for too long have
RWDSU Local 220 members were on controlled the agenda.” ■
strike after refusing to accept unprece-
dented wage and benefit cuts. Layton wrote
to Plano, TX-based Dr. Pepper Snapple
Group President & CEO Larry Young to
express his product safety concerns due to
the use of replacement workers at the
Williamson plant, and urge the company to
Steward Training for Southeast
return to the bargaining table and negotiate
in good faith. The letter put international
pressure on Mott’s, and was a key part of
Council Members
the political pressure that helped workers n June, RWDSU Southeast Council
win a fair contract.
Also in 2010, Layton went to bat for
RWDSU members employed at the
Loblaw’s warehouse in Sudbury, Ontario,
calling upon the company to do the right
I members joined together for a shop
steward training class. The class was
conducted by SEC President Edgar
Fields, and SEC Representatives Menandro
Martinez, Rick Wilson, Greg Scandrett,
thing and put together fair severance pack- and RWDSU Health and Safety Director
ages for employees who gave 20-30 years Steve Mooser.
of their lives to the company. RWDSU members employed at
At the RWDSU’s 21st Quadrennial Army Exchange, Southern Tea, and Aluma
Convention in August 2010, Layton talked Systems were on hand to hone the skills
about why the NDP was lending its support they need to know so they can best fulfill
to RWDSU members at Loblaw’s and Mott’s. their duties as shop stewards. Grievance
“When I see some of the policies handling, applying and defending contracts,
that corporations are trying to bring in, and and a safety class on weather emergencies
what they are trying to do to workers across and general safety at work were on the
the U.S. and Canada, I find it despicable. agenda. ■
Corporations are awarding their executives
RWDSU members from across Georgia honed their skills at the Southeast Council Shop Stewards
Training Class.
Rhode Island Pepsi Bottlers Ratify Pact
he 130 RWDSU Local 513 members working at Pepsi Bottling Group,
T Inc., in Cranston, Rhode Island have a new four-year agreement that
guarantees a three percent annunal wage increase and a three percent
gain in pension benefits.
RWDSU members at Pepsi in Cranston work in production and as trans-
port drivers for Pepsi products.
The negotiating committee included New England Joint Board President
Tina Buonagurio, Local 513 President Dennis Beaulieu, and Local 513 members
Carlos Alves, Pat McCabe, Gary Oliver, Buzzy Rowe and Bob Wright. ■
Local 513 members celebrate a new contract that
raises wages and pension benefits.14 VOL. 59, NO. 1 I SUMMER 2011
Local 1102 NYU Food Service Workers
Ratify New Pact
ocal 1102 members who work for
L Aramark at the New York University
dining halls and specialty stores
knew that the upcoming contract ne-
gotiations were going to be tough. But
members rallied behind their negotiating
committee, and emerged with a strong new
contract.
“The negotiations were difficult due
to the multiple issues involved, economic,
work rules and health and pension benefits.
However, the membership stood together
and we were able to bring out a contract
that included wage increases and the pro-
tection and improvements of benefits,” said
Yvette Bailey, a long-time Aramark em-
ployee and shop steward.
The contract was ratified by a unani-
mous vote.
“This type of agreement shows how
important unions and collective bargaining
can be to working families,” said Olivia
Jackson, a shop steward who also served on
the negotiating committee.
Serving on the negotiating commit-
tee were Bailey, Jackson, Ricardo Tabuteau,
Chris Smith, Tyrone Staton, Adrienne RicardoTabuteau is enjoying the benefits of his new Local 1102 contract.
Lawson, and Sally Bouyer. ■
RWDSU Member Pitch In After Tornados
This pile of rubble is all that remains of a church in
Pratt City, Alabama.
RWDSU members came to Pratt City to provide food and drinks
to relief workers and members of the devastated community.
n April 27, a hundreds of devas- cost through the insurance plan. The office members and RWDSU workplaces, we’ve Members of the Mid-south Council
O tating tornados tore through 16
states, killing hundreds of people
and causing billions of dollars in
damage. Among the hardest hit areas was
Northern Alabama, home to the RWDSU
also raced to replace prescription drugs that
were lost to the storms.
In Pratt City, a northern suburb of
Birmingham, Alabama, RWDSU members
were among the first on the scene to pro-
been able to help aid both the victims and
the relief workers,” said RWDSU Mid-
South Council President John Whitaker.
C & S Warehouse donated paper
goods, hot dogs, and condiments, while
also helped out in Tanner, Alabama, near
Swan Creek Mobile Home Park. The mem-
bers from throughout Alabama are serving
warm meals for victims and volunteers.
According to Randy Hadley, Mid-South
Mid-South Council, and the RWDSU vide goods and services to relief workers Barber’s Dairy has brought milk, tea, and Council vice president, “we are here to help
Benefit and Pension Funds office, and and the people affected by the storms. Over juices. With power out to thousands of and all we need are hungry people.” The
thousands of RWDSU members. 8,000 hot dogs were served to responders homes, Mayfield has helped workers and group fed more than 6,000 people in the
The RWDSU Benefit and Pension and residents digging out and cleaning up residents beat the heat with a huge donation first few days after the storms.
Funds office has been quick to aid RWDSU after the twisters, and RWDSU employers of ice cream products. “These are our communities, and
members affected in Alabama, helping resi- have been quick to step up to help. Koch Foods, a poultry processor with these are our people. We are doing what we
dents who lost equipment like walkers or “We set up tents with freezers and RWDSU plants in Gasden and Ashland, can to help,” Hadley said. ■
other necessities replace them quickly at no grills, and thanks to the efforts of RWDSU Alabama donated chicken products.SUMMER 2011 I VOL. 59, NO. 1 15
Standing Up For Immigrants in Georgia
WDSU Southeast Council mem- legal challenges.
R
RWDSU members and other union activists have
been among the tens of thousands of protestors
bers have taken to the streets in Similar laws in Utah and Arizona rallying against HB-87 in Georgia.
Atlanta to protest HB-87, the so are also on hold due to the decisions of fed-
called “immigration reform bill” eral judges.
that critics say is racist and discriminatory. “Laws like these open the door to
Throughout July, RWDSU members em- police harassment, and can be used by
ployed at Aluma Systems, Southern Tea, companies to disrupt union organizing
and Equity Poultry attended rallies against campaigns,” said Southeast Council
the anti-immigrant law. One of the main Organizer Carlos Alcantar. “They are un-
provisions of the law — which empowers just and unconstitutional,” added Southeast
police officers to investigate the immigra- Council staff member Menandro Martinez.
tion status of people they suspect are un- The rallies have attracted upwards of
documented — has been blocked by a 20,000 attendees in some cases. ■
federal judge pending the resolution of
Plantation Patterns Workers Bounce Back
With New Pact
n July, 2009, over 300 workers repre- ceive a raise of $1.39 in hourly earnings. ceived millions of dollars in taxpayer TARP ment and was able to help find a buyer for
I sented by the RWDSU at Plantation
Patterns in Selma, Alabama, were wor-
ried if they were going to have a job by
the time the month was over. Two years
later, thanks to the efforts of the RWDSU
Also, the company will increase its
contribution to the pension benefit plan.
The new contract passed with a
unanimous ratification vote.
“We are really happy with this new
money, to extend credit to Meadowcraft
and restore cash flow so that the company
— which wasn’t lacking in orders or busi-
ness — would be able to fulfill orders and
continue producing furniture. In a stunning
the Selma plant, and some 300 jobs were
saved.
“It’s been a rollercoaster these last
couple of years, but thanks to the union, we
have our jobs and a good union contract,”
Mid-South Council, the workers at the contract, which raises our wages up. To go display of corporate greed, Wells-Fargo re- Holloway said.
plant still have their jobs, and a new four- from almost losing our jobs to getting a fused, and both plants were shuttered. The Workers at Plantation Patterns pro-
year contract that brings benefit improve- strong contract is quite a turnaround,” said Wadley plant would not reopen, but fortu- duce cushions for outdoor furniture. ■
ments and substantial raises. Plantation Patterns worker Edith Holloway. nately the RWDSU worked with manage-
The new contract includes 30 cent Plantation Patterns, a subsidiary of
hourly raises for workers at the plant in Meadowcraft, Inc., a wrought-iron furniture
each year of the contract. In addition, many manufacturer, had been forced into bank-
workers will see big gains thanks to the ruptcy by its main creditor Wells-Fargo. The
creation of three new job classifications. bank pushed Meadowcraft into an involun-
This year, Truck Drivers will see a raise of
$1.05 an hour, Forklift Operators will see a
tary bankruptcy filing in March, 2009 and a
U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Delaware
Supporting Verizon Strikers
raise of $1.06, and Fiber Operators will re- ordered liquidation of the company.
The communities
near the plant in Selma,
and a sister plant in
Wadley, were outraged,
and called upon Wells-
Fargo, which itself had
escaped being shut down
only because it had re-
(left to right) Plantation
Patterns employees Edith
Holloway, Willie Slay and
Barbara Lewis with RWDSU
Mid-South Council
Representative Jerry Foster.
Wages and Benefits n August 8, over 45,000 members of the CWA and IBEW went on
Improve at 7UP O strike against their employer, Verizon, after the communications giant
refused to drop a long list of concession demands during contract ne-
gotiations.
“Verizon is the latest in a long procession of companies that are punish-
ing workers even after raking in record profits — over $6 billion last year. It’s
WDSU Local 125 members employed as drivers for 7UP in St. Joseph, Missouri offensive that a company that set aside over a quarter billion dollars to lavish
R ratified a new contract on July 20. The new three-year pact calls for a number of
improvements, including annual wage increases, an increase in weekly base rates
for commissioned drivers, and improvements in vacation pay and scheduling.
The health insurance plan was also expanded to include coverage of domestic part-
ners, and the dental plan benefit was increased as well.
upon its top five executives is trying to chip away at the quality of life of its
workers. It’s corporate greed, plain and simple,” said RWDSU President Stuart
Appelbaum.
In a show of solidarity, RWDSU members were regulars on the picket
lines at Verizon buildings in New York City during the strike. ■
Members of the Bargaining Committee for the Union were Local 125 President
Travis Garton, Shop Steward Ron Smith, Central States Sr. Business Representative
Dennis Williams and RWDSU Representative Roger Grobstich. ■You can also read
