UFCW

Official Publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers Union April 2009

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Meet our new Labor Be patient! Fixing the Secretary country will take time t’s easy to feel down in the dumps Hilda Solis represented these days. the El Monte area in Unemployment is up to levels we have not seen in years. Foreclosure Sacramento and rates are also setting modern records. Washington before IState and local governments are finan- her nomination by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is welcomed to the cially strapped for cash. This makes life Department of Labor by interim Labor Secretary worse for the 46 million Americans who President Obama Edward Hugler on Feb. 25. DOL Photo don’t have health insurance. Yes, things seem pretty bad right now. merica’s new Secretary my. It helps to also send their But maybe it’s time to step back and take of Labor, Hilda Solis, children like me to college and a deep breath. was confirmed by the to eventually even run for With the election of , Senate on Feb. 24. office.” our country is finally on the right path to Her duties include enforce- Local 1167 President Bill solve these problems –– but it will take By Bill Lathrop Ament of federal workplace laws Lathrop remembers meeting time. and overseeing a department Solis when she was a candidate Just as it took time –– eight years –– to get us into this mess. with a $10.5-billion budget. for the El Monte School Board Almost 80 percent of people responding to a recent poll were optimistic Throughout her years as a and sought the endorsement of about the next four years under President Obama. This level of good will lawmaker representing the El the for the new chief executive exceeds those measured for any of the past five Monte area in Sacramento and in Committee on Political incoming presidents. Congress, Solis has been a Education (COPE). This long-term optimism cuts across party lines: 58 percent of the strong advocate for workers and “Some candidates know the respondents who said they voted for Sen. John McCain in the general elec- organized labor. issues, but few know unions,” tion said they were optimistic about the Obama Administration. “When union people get paid Lathrop recalled. “Her knowl- The new administration has been in office a little over two months. That good wages, that money stays in edge of unions and union issues may seem like an eternity in this age of instant messaging and email, but in the community,” she said. “It blew us away. reality it isn’t. helps to provide a vibrant econo- (Please see page 6) President Obama is doing all we can ask of him after stepping into one of the biggest messes this country has ever gotten itself into. But fixing the (Please see page 2)

Joe F. Barragan Memorial Golf Tournament April 27, 2009 Sierra Lakes Golf Club, Fontana Shotgun start at 8 a.m. For details and reservations, call (909) 626-3333, Ext 241

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A C , O N I D R A N R E B N A S

Bloomingt on, C on, 923 A 1 6 Quarterly Membership Meetings: 5 8 2 2 . O N T I M R E P

P .O. Box 1167 Box .O.

D I A P

Union Local 1167 Local Union June 24, Sept. 23, Dec. 23

E G A T S O P . S . U

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nited Food and Commercial Workers Commercial and Food nited All Meetings Held at 7:00 p.m. . G R O T I F O R P - N O N

R eturn in 5 days to: days 5 in eturn 855 W. San Bernardino Rd. UFCW Auditorium PAGE 2 DESERT EDGE APRIL 2009

UFCW International Scholarship Program Gronewald honeymooned in Extended to Laughlin. April 15! Congratulations to all of our newlyweds! Log on to www.ufcw.org/scholarship YOUR UNION JUST BORN Artemio Mejia, Food 4 Less, What’s welcomed Nadya Celeste into the Your dues are world on Dec. 5, 2008. Nadya Happening weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. ... Martin now payable! Estrada, Food 4 Less, proudly If you are one of the few members by Maureen McCabe announces the arrival of Sofia on of the local who are not yet signed Dec. 31, 2008. Sofia weighed 8 up for dues checkoff: APRIL lbs. ... Karen Escobedo, Stater DUES ARE NOW DUE AND Bros., gave birth to Sarah PAYABLE. IF NOT PAID ON OR Morales on Jan 28. Sara weighed BEFORE JUNE 1, 2009, YOU 7 lbs. 6 oz. ... Bahjah Whitehead, WILL AUTOMATICALLY SUS- Stater Bros., welcomed son PEND YOURSELF. Daelen well-earned retirements. on Feb. 4. Daelen weighed With dues checkoff, all future dues JUST RETIRED in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. ... Melissa can be deducted automatically The month of March brought JUST MARRIED Manzar, Rite-Aid, has a new from your paycheck. If you do not us four new retirees. Dean Berry daughter. Erica was born on Feb. have an authorization form, call the worked for Food 4 Less for 10 Katherine Mangiapelo, Stater 9, weighing 7 lbs. 7 oz. ... Nicole local and one will be sent to you Bernice Chavez Rios immediately. years ... worked Bros., married Gordon Staup on , Stater Bros., gave birth to in the industry for 22 years with Oct. 5, 2008. The ceremony was Laila on Feb 17. Laila weighed 8 Non-payment or payment of the Lucky and Stater Bros ... Dale at Heart’s Home Farm and the lbs. 5 oz. ... Patricia Becerra, incorrect amount will automatical- Dahlberg retired after 34 years happy couple honeymooned in Food 4 Less, is pleased to ly suspend you—a costly and with Vons ... Claudia Gallagher Idyllwild ... Salina Evans, Stater announce the birth of Lizzet Elena inconvenient mistake. Although worked for Vons, Safeway, and Bros. became the bride of Travis Ruiz not required, the local as a courtesy on Feb 23. Lizzet weighed Ivan Gobin Liezl normally sends billing notices by Expo for 21 years ... Prior on Nov. 1, 2008. The wed- 6 lbs. 12 oz. ... first-class mail to those not on dues worked in the industry for 31 ding took place in Idyllwild and Pangandoyon, Stater Bros., wel- checkoff. It is the member’s obliga- years with Vons, Expo and Boys the newlyweds honeymooned in comed Razl into the world on tion to pay dues in a timely manner. Markets. Monterey ... Chelsea Braden, March 7. Razl weighed 6 lbs. 8.5 Not receiving a notice is not an Congratulations to our retir- Stater Bros., said “I do” to oz. excuse for failure to pay dues on ees! We wish you many healthy, Kenneth Gronewald on Feb. 12 at Congratulations to all of our time. happy years ahead to enjoy your the Hall of Records. Mr. and Mrs. new moms and dads! Avoid suspension. Authorize dues checkoff today!

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

DESERT EDGE Fixing country Bill Lathrop Editor will take time Official monthly publication of Local 1167, United (Continued from front page) Food and Commercial Workers International Union, San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial Counties, economy will take time and things may . get worse before they get better. We all need to understand this and 855 West San Bernardino Ave. Bloomington, California cut the President a little slack. We need (Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.) to keep our sites on the big picture, not (Closed Sat., Sun. and holidays) at what will get us through the next P.O. Box 1167, Bloomington, CA 92316 year. Three generations of union members While no one knows for certain how Local 1167 was visited recently by three generations of UFCW members — all in the same Telephone Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. to fix the economy, most experts agree family! Pictured, from left, are UFCW member Christine Noriega; Christine’s mother, UFCW retiree Virginia Vaughan; and Christine’s son, UFCW member David Noriega. Business Telephone: that the spending plan passed by (909) 877-5000 Congress and signed by the President is Toll-Free Telephone: a major step in the right direction. (800) 698-UFCW Other positive steps include shifts in Food and Meat Division Insurance: tax policies and labor regulations that (909) 877-1110 favor working people and serve the IT PAYS TO BE UNION! interests of the middle class. In my March 2009 YEAR TO DATE Drug & General Sales Div. Insurance: (909) 877-2331 opinion, we could not have chosen Back pay and benefits $6,109.94 $17,702.69 anyone better equipped to lead us restored to members through these difficult times than Publisher President Barack Obama. Members reinstated 21 48 Let’s give him all the help and sup- Grievances settled port he needs to succeed. 77 233

APRIL 2009 DESERT EDGE PAGE 3

UNION REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT

How to use the Family Medical

Leave Act By Matt Bruno Local 1167 President Bill Lathrop swears Herman Ortega into office as vice president on Feb. 24. ecently, one of our mem- The California Family Rights bers took time off from Act (CFRA), passed in 1991 and work to care for his ill amended in 1993, provides for the mother. Unfortunately, he same rights for workers as the fed- Herman Ortega to serve did not use sick leave or vacation eral FMLA, except that CFRA does Rtime. He simply did not show up not cover pregnancy medical leave. on Executive Board for work and was terminated. Since Jan. 1, 2005, eligible If you need to stay home to care employees in California have been fter 33 years in the Ortega has known about for an ill family member, there is a allowed to take time off to care for retail food industry, unions all of his life. His way for you to do it with no nega- registered domestic partners. new Local 1167 father was a union laborer tive consequences for you. Under another law that became Executive Board and his uncles were union In 1993, Congress expanded the effective on July 1, 2004, California member Herman Ortega bricklayers and plumbers. rights of millions of working workers may be able to take up to Alooks forward to serving the He knows the union is the Americans by enacting the Family six weeks of paid leave per year for membership from the reason members have signif- and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). the purpose of bonding with a new “inside” as he assumes a icantly better wages and The law requires most large child by birth, adoption or foster- position on the Local 1167 benefits than non-union companies — commercial enter- care placement. Executive Board. workers. prises with 50 or more employees The state’s Paid Family Leave “I’ve served the union as “Working at union jobs — to give eligible employees as (PFL) insurance program is the first a steward,” Ortega said. has given everyone in my much as 12 weeks of unpaid leave of its kind in the United States. It “Now I can represent the family a quality life,” he during a 12-month period for one or makes paid leave equally available entire membership and have said. “You can’t get the more of the following reasons: to mothers and fathers. The pro- a say in how our union oper- wages, pension and job gram also provides paid leave for ates.” security any other way than G the birth and care of the new- the care of a seriously ill child, He began his career 33 working at a union job. born child of the employee; spouse, domestic partner or parent. years ago as a courtesy clerk He said his union-negoti- G placement with the employee The paid-leave insurance pro- at Alpha Beta in San ated wages enabled his wife, of a son or daughter for adop- gram applies to all employees who Bernardino. He is currently Charlotte, to be a stay-at- tion or foster care; are covered by the State Disability a head meat cutter at home mother for their two Insurance program. Under the new Albertsons 6519 in daughters, Alyssa, 19, and G care for an immediate family law, compensation for covered Redlands. Andrea, 13. member (spouse, child or par- leave will be funded by employee “I’ve known Local 1167 In his spare time, Ortega ent) with a serious health con- contributions. President Bill Lathrop since likes to go target shooting as dition; or The statute states that PFL leave 1981, when he was my much as possible. G medical leave when the must be taken concurrently with union representative,” “I used to hunt deer,” he employee is unable to work leave under the federal FMLA and Ortega said. “I’ve followed said, “But I haven’t gone in because of a serious health the CFRA. his career as he moved up in a couple of years, so I keep condition. If you are eligible under the the union and became presi- sharp shooting at targets.” above guidelines, make sure that dent. He also follows An “eligible employee” is an you submit all of the required “Bill was a great union NASCAR and is an avid employee of a covered forms to your employer and that rep and is a terrific president collector of U.S. coins. employer who: you obtain all of the necessary doc- and it is an honor to serve Ortega said he has met a G has been employed by the umentation from your physician. with him on the board.” lot of people over his three employer for at least 12 Remember to submit all forms Ortega said his goal on decades in the industry and months; and and documentation to your compa- the executive board is the he intends to call on them ny no later than 15 days after the same as it was as a steward. during his term on the exec- G has been employed for at least FMLA or CFRA qualifying event. “We need to keep our utive board. 1,250 hours of service during If you do not submit all of the union strong,” he said. “That’s one of the advan- the 12-month period immedi- necessary information, your request “That’s why I plan to tages of being an industry ately preceding the com- may be turned down. encourage members to veteran,” he said. “I know mencement of the leave; and become more active. It’s the people at all of the compa- G is employed at a work site I If you have any questions best way to show the nies and that is a great where 50 or more employees regarding FMLA or any other kind employers and the commu- resource for me when I want are employed by the employer of leave, please contact your union nity that we are a force to be to sample opinions on any within 75 miles of that site. representative. reckoned with.” issue.” PAGE 4 DESERT EDGE APRIL 2009

Members at work Stater Bros. 121 SanSan JacintJacintoo APRIL 2009 DESERT EDGE PAGE 5 PAGE 6 DESERT EDGE APRIL 2009

FOOD INDUSTRY ONLY – SPECIAL NOTICE Meet Hilda Solis Add to your health, (Continued from front page) “When she ran for the State Assembly, we gave her our full add to your savings... endorsement.” Solis is the daughter of immigrants from and . ...by sending in your Health Risk Questionnaire! Her father was a Teamster who worked at a battery recycling plant. ttention, Indemnity PPO Her mother had a union job on a assembly line. Remember, the contributions in Medical Plan participants! The first member of her family to graduate from college, Solis your HRA are used to help pay your earned a master’s degree in public administration from the Local 1167 and the Trust medical PPO deductibles, your co- University of Southern California, as well as an undergraduate Fund office have been insurance (the percentage of covered degree from Cal Poly Pomona. receiving calls from members asking expenses that would otherwise come She served in the White House Office of Hispanic Affairs dur- “How can I get more money into my A out of your own pocket) and even ing the Carter Administration and later as an analyst at the Office Health Reimbursement Account?” your prescription drug copays. of Management and Budget. Did you have to reach into your If you don’t use all of your HRA Solis was a member of the California State Assembly from 1992 pocket to cover pharmacy co pays contributions in one year, you can to 1994. In the following year she became the first Latina elected and up-front medical expenses last use them to pay eligible health care to the state Senate. year? expenses in the future — as long as She led efforts to raise the in the state from There’s a way to get an extra con- you stay in the Indemnity PPO $4.25 to $5.75. After being vetoed twice by then-Gov. , tribution of up to $250 in your Medical Plan. the wage hike was eventually passed as a ballot in 1996. Health Reimbursement Account Go online and do the HRQ now at Solis also worked on legislation to combat (HRA). All you need to do is com- www.2009hrq.com. and define spousal rape. plete a confidential and easy Health Have questions or need help? Call When she was elected to the state Senate, Solis’ district had shel- Risk Questionnaire (HRQ) between (800) 721-2763. ters for abused animals but none for humans. She obtained federal Feb. 1 and May 1. This special benefit is available funds to open the district’s first shelter for mothers and children. In It’s that simple! Take 15 minutes only to Indemnity PPO Medical Plan August 2000 she became the first woman awarded the John F. to answer the HRQ — online or on participants and their spouses or Kennedy for her work on environmental paper — and receive the extra con- domestic partners. HRA contribu- issues. She donated the $25,000 award to local environmental tribution in your HRA. tions are not available to HMO groups. If you completed the HRQ last members. Solis was first elected to represent California’s 31st year, you are eligible for another Don’t lose out! Complete the Congressional District in 2000 after defeating incumbent Matthew contribution if you complete the HRQ today and give a boost to your Martinez during a bitterly fought primary campaign. HRQ this year. health as well as your wallet. “She ran for Congress at the request of Local 1167 because we were having problems with Martinez,” Lathrop said. “She has more than lived up to what we believed she could accomplish. A proven track record IN MEMORIAM “She has a 100 percent union voting record. She always does her Grace Duncan, a retired meat wrapper formerly employed by Safeway, died Feb. 21, homework and would often call us to make sure she knew how an 2009, at the age of 89. She had been a member since June 1958. issue would affect union members.” As a freshman House member, her primary role, she said, was to William Fuqua, a retired meat cutter formerly employed by Staadham’s, Sunshine be “a voice for the voiceless” and to help her constituents speak up Market, Rialto Friendly Market and Bert’s Market, died Feb. 10, 2009, at the age of 89. He and ask for help. had been a continuous member since January 1971. She was disappointed early in her congressional career when the Louis Granados, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Safeway, died Feb. 17, Bush Administration and the Republican-controlled Congress 2009, at the age of 78. He had been a continuous member since January 1971. rolled back environmental protection and workplace regulations designed to reduce injuries. James Malone, a retired meat cutter formerly employed by Shopping Bag, Cal Fair “Most of the people affected by those injuries are women,” Solis Markets, Alpha Beta and Stater Bros. Markets, died Feb. 18, 2009, at the age of 86. He had said. “The legislation was rushed through so fast I didn’t even have been a member since June 1954. time to get the word out back home. That seemed almost deliber- ate. Carol Scharnow, a retired general merchandise clerk formerly employed by Albertsons, “Government has to be there to correct something that was died March 3, 2009, at the age of 74. She had been a member since July 1989. wrong,” said. Aurora Smith, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Albertsons, died Feb. 14, Solis said her father was a major inspiration in her life. 2009, at the age of 84. She had been a member since December 1972. “He always reminded us that it was important to stand up for your rights,” she recalled. “He said that regardless of who you are Willard Winchester, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Stater Bros. Markets, and where you come from, you should always hold your head up died March 7, 2009, at the age of 82. He had been a continuous member since May 1956. high with dignity and respect.” Our condolences to the families of these deceased members. In a speech last year, Solis credited unions for her family’s suc- cess. “Without the help, protection that we received, and retirement benefits, I know myself and my [six] siblings would not be where they are today,” she said. CORRECT ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER A MUST “It is great to have her as Secretary of Labor,” Lathrop said. “We You lose out if there is no correct address and telephone number on file for can expect great things from her — namely she’ll be a huge advo- you. We know the problem: people move frequently. But it only takes a cate for us in passing the .” phone call, a minute with the union rep or a letter to our office. It could avoid a big problem with a hospital, medical claim or pension inquiry. APRIL 2009 DESERT EDGE PAGE 7 Local 1167’s Scholarship Awards Competition now available for applicants! The union local is proud to announce 5. To be eligible, the member must be the launch of its scholarship program in continuous good standing for at least for certain members only for the aca- one year through June 30, 2009. The Request to Participate in Local 1167 demic school year 2009-2010. member whose eligibility is used can- not be suspended, take a withdrawal or Limited Scholarship Awards Competition Scholarships will be awarded to win- transfer to another local. Failure to (Please Print) ners chosen from among qualified con- comply with these eligibility rules dis- tract applicants. I understand that in order to be eligible for a scholarship award: qualifies the applicant. • I am not eligible for a scholarship offered by the Southern California United Food contract members, Stater Bros. Food and Commercial Workers Union and Food Employers Ancillary Benefit Fund. 6. Winners are selected by the Meat Distribution Center and Vons • Membership on which my eligibility is based must remain in continuous good Scholarship Committee based on: Meat Service Center members ARE standing through June 30, 2009. This means the member cannot be suspended, take a withdrawal or transfer to another local prior to June 30, 2009. NOT ELIGIBLE for this program • academic record • I must be at least a senior in high school. because they may participate in the mil- • leadership record • I am not eligible to apply if I previously received scholarship award money lion-dollar Scholarship Award and • community service and from Local 1167. Tuition Assistance Programs offered by volunteer activities • If my address, telephone number or place of work changes, it is my responsibil- the Southern California United Food • character and personality ity to inform the local union so that I can receive information in a timely manner. and Commercial Workers Unions and • personal achievement • If the member is involuntarily laid off or transferred out of Local 1167, I will Food Employers Ancillary Benefit Fund become ineligible and will notify the local union. 7. Awards will be made to undergradu- (Benefit Fund Scholarships). • Finalists will be notified by mail. If I am notified that I qualify as a finalist, I ate or graduate applicants at the sole will submit required information and will appear for an interview if invited to do so. Food members who were hired prior to discretion of the local’s Scholarship • All decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final. March 1, 2004 (or had 12 months of Committee. My cumulative Grade Point Average in High School is/was ______. employment if hired after March 1, (Finalists to confirm with transcripts) 8. Finalists selected by the Scholarship 2004 as of October 2008) are qualified Committee must provide proof of aca- My cumulative Grade Point Average in College is/was______. to apply for the Trust Fund’s demic record and submit completed (Finalists to confirm with transcripts) Scholarship Award and Tuition forms (blank forms to be provided by My cumulative Grade Point Average in Graduate School is______. Assistance Program and ARE NOT the union) listing leadership activities, (Finalists to confirm with transcripts) ELIGIBLE for the scholarship program community service and volunteer activ- listed here. ______ities, and personal achievements, sub- (Signature of Applicant in acceptance of the above) Rules and Eligibility Requirements stantiated by two teachers and two per- sonal recommendations. 1. Applicants must establish basic eligi- bility by applying for a scholarship 9. Finalists may be required to appear Applicant name ______phone ______award and completing the “REQUEST for a personal interview. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL Full address ______10. Awards are contingent upon the stu- 1167 COLLEGE (UNIVERSITY or dent being accepted by, registered at yes no JUNIOR COLLEGE) SCHOLARSHIP I am a member of Local 1167 (circle one) and attending an accredited academic AWARDS COMPETITION” applic- institution of higher learning. Trade Eligibility (office use only)______ation published in this newspaper at the schools are not included. right of this announcement. The appli- Applicant’s Social Security Number ______cation must be returned to Local 11. Winners must be full-time students Employed by (only if member) ______1167 no later than Friday, May 1, taking at least 12 undergraduate or nine 2009. graduate units or part-time working stu- Full store address ______dents taking six undergraduate or four Union Representative ______2. Those eligible to compete are current graduate units. active members of the local not eligible I am related to a member of Local 1167 (circle one) yes no 12. Decisions of the Scholarship to compete in the above described Committee are final. Eligibility (office use only)______Benefit Fund Scholarship Program, their spouses and their dependent chil- Relationship to member ______dren. Dependent grandchildren of dues- REFER ANY QUESTIONIONS Member’s Name ______paying retirees are eligible. Sisters, brothers and non-dependent grandchil- TO SHAESHAELLYYNN Member’s Social Security Number ______dren are not eligible. AT Employed by (only if member) ______3. Applicants must be at least seniors in AT high school. (800) 698-8329 Full store address ______4. Applicants are not eligible if they pre- Union Representative ______viously received Local 1167 Scholarship (909) 877-5000 ______Award monies. Highest academic level completed by June 2009 (Must be at least a senior in High School to apply)

______Year graduated from High School or month and year will graduate

______I applied for a Local 1167 Scholarship in (year applied). (Not eligible if monies received in past.) Complete and mail promptly to UFCW Union Local 1167 P.O. Box 1167, Bloomington, CA 92316 Attention: Shaelyn Return by Friday, May 1, 2009 PAGE 8 DESERT EDGE APRIL 2009

STEWARD FEATURE Tim O’Keefe values union membership s an accredited jewelry appraiser, Tim tion fee to join Local 1167.” O’Keefe knows a gem when he sees O’Keefe and his wife,Tamera, have been one –– his union membership. married for 24 years. They have two children, O’Keefe is a customer service repre- a girl, Natiera, and a boy, Magnason. sentative and steward at Stater Bros. 121 in “My wife is disabled,” he said. “She has ASan Jacinto. He has been a member of Local needed a lot of physical therapy over the years. 1167 for 19 years. We couldn’t have paid for it without our health “Being a member of a union is as good as benefits.” gold,” O’Keefe said. “It is the reason we are In his spare time, O’Keefe collects gem- treated with respect on the job and can’t be ter- stones and has his own jewelry business for minated for just any reason. family and friends. “Too many members don’t know or under- “I bought jewelry one day, became fascinat- stand their rights,” he continued. “They will ed with the natural beauty of the stones, and it accept what management says and don’t real- became a hobby,” he said. “Now I have a little ize that there is a contract that protects them. Tim O’Keefe business on the side and I’m studying to be a “If you’re mistreated, you can call a union certified gemologist so I can grade gemstones. rep who will make sure you are treated fairly.” become grievances.” “I appreciate the beauty of all of the stones I O’Keefe attends as many union meetings as O’Keefe learned early on in life about the see, but the yellow diamond is my favorite, he can so he can keep up to date. value of being a union member. because it is so rare. There are only a few over “As a steward, I keep the members “My uncle, Jon, is president of a Machinists a carat, and the natural yellow is extremely informed and maintain the union bulletin union local in Sarasota, Florida,” he said. “He rare.” board,” he said. “I also serve as a liaison always told me that being a union member is O’Keefe said his love of stones keeps him between the union and store management. I the best thing going. going. have a good relationship with our managers, so “He compares it to a close-knit family. He “Their natural beauty is always amazing to we are able to solve problems before they even gave me the money to pay for my initia- observe.”

Biden welcomes Labor back to the White House UFCW’s Hansen invited to task force “Folks, I want to thank the outstanding individuals, many of whom are in this room: members of Congress, members of Labor, members of business, interest groups that are here representing non-profits. I want to thank you all for being here today. It’s good to see so many of my friends — our friends — from Organized Labor, as well. Welcome back to the White House.” — Vice-President Joseph Biden Lobbying for Employee Free Choice n keeping with his promise, President Obama formally announced the creation of a White House task force to focus on On March 17, President Bill Lathrop (above, second from left) joined San Bernardino the problems of the middle class. Central Labor Council President Laurie Stalnaker (below, left) and other labor leaders to The group, led by Vice President , will explore ways encourage California State Sen. Gloria Negrete-McLeod (below, right) to support the to expand opportunities for education and training, improve the Employee Free Choice Act and bring her attention to other bills important to working men work-familyI balance, restore labor standards and protect retirement and women in California. security. In an action unprecedented since George W. Bush took office in 2001, UFCW International President Joe Hansen was personally asked by the White House to leave executive board meetings in order to attend the initial task force meeting. “With this task force, we have a single, highly visible group with one single goal: to raise the living standards of the people who are the backbone of this country,” Biden said. The vice president also took the opportunity to welcome labor “back to the White House.” The task force has its own website: www.astrongmiddleclass.gov. The site not only posts information, but also asks for ideas.