Workers Must Share in the Fruits of Their Labors

t seems like a matter of basic members accounted for more than 30 per- American workers urgently need reforms fairness and economic logic— cent of the workforce during much of the that would put unions and management when worker productivity 1947-1972 period when economic fairness on a level playing field once again. I grows, their pay should rise, too. ruled. But from 1979 to 2011, union mar- But there’s also an innovative solu- After all, when employees are work- ket share plummeted from 24 percent to tion put forward by Rep. Chris Van Hollen ing harder than ever, making money hand 11.8 percent. It’s 11.3 percent today. (D-Md.), a longtime Local 400 ally. He over fist for the company, they should make recently introduced the CEO-Employee more, too. When employees Pay Fairness Act, legislation that would But when corporate executives use ban corporations from deducting CEO those worker-generated profits to pad their are working harder compensation over $1 million from their own overflowing pockets and leave none than ever, they should taxes unless they raise the average pay of to their employees, that’s morally repre- make more, too. employees earning under $115,000 a year hensible. It’s unsustainable, too, because to match increases in the cost of living and an unhappy, underpaid, demoralized work- When unions represent a robust share labor productivity. force cannot keep producing more indefin- of the workforce, we have the bargaining In other words, businesses would have itely. Plus, workers whose wages are power to force companies to share produc- to share productivity gains with their stagnant don’t have the purchasing power tivity gains with their workers. Non-union workers or they would lose the tax subsidy to buy the company’s products. employers tend to follow suit, because they get for excessive CEO pay. As Van There was once a time when productiv- that’s the only way they can attract quali- Hollen said, “Big corporations shouldn’t be ity and pay rose together. As columnist fied workers. But when just one of every getting tax breaks for CEO bonuses unless Harold Meyerson recently noted in The nine workers belongs to a union, corporate they also give their employees a raise.” Washington Post, between 1947 and 1972, greed runs amuck, leaving employees stuck The CEO-Employee Pay Fairness Act productivity increased by 97 percent, while on an economic treadmill at best, or sent won’t singlehandedly restore the link median pay grew by 95 percent. But from on a slippery slope into poverty at worst. between pay and productivity, but it will 1979 to 2011, productivity rose by 75 per- The best way to get productivity and help bring the two closer together. Combine cent, while median pay inched upward by pay back in sync is by growing the labor that with labor law reform and tenacious a measly 5 percent. Meanwhile, CEO pay movement once again. That’s why Local organizing and we have a chance at shot up by more than 900 percent. 400 and other unions organize aggres- undoing the horrific damage to workers’ liv- What accounts for the shattering of the sively. But the pathetic state of American ing standards that has taken place over the productivity-pay link? labor law and the lack of enforcement past 35 years. The answer is crystal clear: Union places huge obstacles in our way. — Mark P. Federici, President

2 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL WORKERS LOCAL 400 Mark P. Federici President Lavoris “Mikki” Harris Secretary-Treasurer Fall 2014 Sue Gonzalez Recorder

Executive Board Mike Boyle F E A T U R E S Carol Wiszynski Yolanda Anwar Kevin Belle Jaki Bradley Pivotal Elections November 4th Tiffany Flowers 4 Big Issues at Stake for Working Families Lisa Gillespie James Hepner Michele Hepner 2014 Voting Guide Phyllis Jackson Complete List of Recommended Candidates Neil Jacobs 10 Jim Jarboe Calvin McGuire Chuck Miller Local 400 ACTS! Kim Mitchell Profiles of Four Members Making a Difference Diane Nokes 13 Ken Pinkard Jerry Rexroad Vivian Sigouin Bestway Silver Spring Workers Ratify Contract Larry Southern 22 Bargaining Underway at Virginia Stores Linda Sykes Mark Underwood Mary Vines Shoppers Bargaining Continues Donna Waddell Member Activism Stays Strong Editor 23 Mark P. Federici

Associate Editor Lavoris “Mikki” Harris Smithfield Workers Join Local 400 Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement Chief Photographer 29 Bill Burke Design and Layout Evans Design C O V E R S T O R Y Editorial/Photographic Assistant Karlyn Williams Editorial Consultant Bruce Kozarsky Kroger Members Win Long Battle The Union Leader is published by the United Food & Activism in Richmond-Tidewater Areas Secures Strong Contract Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 400. Office 18 of Publication: Kelly Press Inc., 1701 Cabin Branch Rd., Landover, Md. 20785. Editorial Office: Metro 400 Building, 4301 Garden City Dr., Landover, Md. 20785. Main Office: (800) 638-0800. Subscriptions to mem- bers only. A L S O I N S I D E Web Site: www.ufcw400.org 26 Faces of Local 400 31 Financial Report

31 All in the Family 33 Local 400 Retirees

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 3 • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LO Pivotal Mid-Term Elections Take Place November 4th Big Issues at Stake for Working Families

Local 400 members and all working By contrast, her opponent, Rep. families have a lot at stake in the critical Shelley Moore Capito, has one of the November 4, 2014 mid-term elections. most anti-worker records in Congress. Control of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, She voted eight times against raising the many governorships, and state legisla- federal minimum wage and five times tures hangs in the balance. against equal pay for equal work. She That, in turn, will determine the fate of voted in favor of the Ryan budget, which many key issues affecting workers’ lives. guts investments in education, child care These include whether the minimum wage and nutrition, while handing millionaires is raised, health care is expanded further, a $200,000 tax break and rewarding workers’ rights are upheld, workplace companies that send American jobs to safety is strengthened, voting rights are other countries. Capito has taken more protected, immigration reform is enacted, than $1 million from Wall Street to fund and job-creating federal and state invest- her campaigns and consistently votes for ments in working families are increased. the interests of big bankers. “There is so much riding on this elec- “Natalie Tennant is on our members’ Natalie Tennant addresses a meeting of tion,” said Local 400 President Mark. P. Local 400 shop stewards in West Virginia side, while Shelley Capito won’t give our Federici. “Will big business, Wall Street members the time of day,” said Local and anti-worker extremists control West Virginia: 400 West Virginia Director Chuck Miller. the agenda in Congress and our State Natalie Tennant for Senate “We’ve never had a clearer choice for Houses? Or will middle-class and lower- The race to succeed retiring Sen. Jay Senate in our state.” income Americans take back our gov- Rockefeller could be pivotal in deciding Virginia: John Foust for Congress ernment from the grip of the forces of whether the U.S. Senate remains in con- greed? Riding on the outcome are our trol of pro-worker forces, or whether it One of the most hotly-contested con- standard of living, our health and retire- is taken over by anti-worker extremists. gressional races in the country will take ment security, and even the terms of our Local 400 enthusiastically recommends place in Virginia’s 10th district, which collective bargaining agreements. West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie includes parts of Fairfax, Fauquier and “That’s why we cannot be specta- Tennant in this race. Prince William Counties; all of Clarke, tors to this election,” Federici said. “We Tennant has long had a close relation- Frederick, Loudoun, and Warren must be participants. And together, we ship with Local 400 and built a strong Counties; and the Cities of Manassas, have the power to determine the out- record of support for working families. In Manassas Park and Winchester. The come. Every member should vote on elec- the Senate, her top priority will be creat- seat is currently held by anti-worker Rep. tion day, by absentee ballot or through ing good-paying jobs. She will also work Frank Wolf, who is retiring. advance voting where that is an option.” to protect coal and chemical jobs, invest Local 400’s strong recommendation A complete list of candidates recom- in worker training, close tax loopholes for for this seat is Fairfax County Supervisor mended by Local 400 is on page 10. Here companies shipping jobs overseas, and John Foust, a former union member and are a few of the most important races on put middle class families first over Wall a longtime ally. He will fight for policies the ballot November 4th: Street millionaires. that expand the middle class by creat-

4 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LO

An Iraq war veteran and a leader with an unswerving record of support for working families, Brown led the suc- cessful fight to raise Maryland’s mini- mum wage earlier this year. He will work hard as governor to create good jobs with good pay and benefits, strengthen education, keep college affordable, and improve the state’s infrastructure. He will also champion universal pre-kindergar- ten. “We were proud to recommend Anthony Brown in the primary and we’re equally proud to be doing everything we can to ensure that he wins the general John Foust Sue Kullen election,” Federici said. “He’s been a ing jobs and opportunities. He supports friend to us for 15 years, and he will fight ers to provide health care coverage to increasing investments in education, to expand Maryland’s middle class as their employees. Kullen also supported infrastructure, research and development, governor. With his election, we’ll contin- the Healthy Retail Worker Act requiring and other areas that lead to more good ue to have a reliable ally in Annapolis.” retail employers to provide shift breaks jobs. And he will work for comprehensive for their workers, and the anti-SLAPP bill immigration reform. protecting free speech rights by stopping His opponent, Virginia Delegate Barbara businesses from filing meritless law- Comstock, is on the opposite side of these suits against citizens exposing corporate issues. Her work in the General Assembly wrongdoing. led to Virginia’s failure to expand Medicaid, In 2010, Kullen narrowly lost re-elec- leaving 400,000 state residents without tion, but this year, she is running in the any health coverage—despite the fact that new District 27C to reclaim her place the federal government would have funded in Annapolis on a platform of improv- that expansion and that most other states ing public safety, cleaning up the envi- have put the health of their people ahead ronment, and keeping Calvert County of partisan political gamesmanship. She schools among the best in the nation. also voted to cut $620 million from educa- “We need Sue Kullen back in the tion and increase class sizes in Virginia’s House of Delegates,” Federici said. “We public schools. need her leadership, her concern for the “John Foust is a good friend of Local Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown speaks to Maryland plight of workers, and her dedication to 400,” Federici said. “He understands the shop stewards about his campaign for gov- the well-being of our members and all ernor. struggles of union members and all work- of her constituents. She’s always been ing families, and he’ll be the kind of fight- a great friend of Local 400, and we will er we need in the U.S. House.” Maryland: Sue Kullen work as hard as we possibly can to help for Delegate her win this important election.” Maryland: Anthony Brown Serving as a Maryland state dele- for Governor gate from Calvert County from 2004 to District of Columbia: Rev. With Maryland Governor Martin 2010, Sue Kullen was one of the stron- Graylan Hagler and Elissa O’Malley term-limited and leaving gest fighters for working families in the Silverman for City Council office at the end of the year, Lieutenant General Assembly. She was a leader in (At-Large) Governor Anthony Brown has earned passing Maryland’s Living Wage law Rev. Graylan Hagler, senior minis- Local 400’s enthusiastic recommendation and the Fair Share Health Care Act that ter of Plymouth Congregational United to succeed him. would have required all large employ- (Continued on next page)

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 5 • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LO •

Church of Christ in Washington, D.C., is one of Local 400’s strongest and most dynamic community allies. On issue after issue—whether it’s the Large Retailer Accountability Act, which would have set a living wage for workers at large stores like Walmart, or the minimum wage increase enacted last year—he has been a driving force for progress. Now, Rev. Hagler is running for an at- large seat on the District of Columbia City Council as an independent, and doing it Rev. Graylan Hagler addresses a rally in with Local 400’s enthusiastic recommen- front of City Hall calling on the D.C. City Elissa Silverman urges the D.C. City Council dation. Council to pass paid sick leave legislation. to enact the paid sick leave bill. So is another longtime ally, Elissa and heading a coalition of groups that District government. Silverman. Fortunately, there are two at- successfully opened City Council bud- “Rev. Hagler is a moral leader, a large seats on the ballot, so Local 400 get negotiations to the public. She also community pillar and a staunch ally who members can vote for both. helped lead a grassroots effort to ban shares our mission of equal opportunity Working closely with Local 400, direct corporate contributions in District and social and economic justice,” Federici Silverman helped coordinate the cam- politics. said. “Elissa Silverman is also a close paigns that led to the D.C. minimum Working together on the City Council, friend who has achieved great things as wage increase and an expansion of Rev. Hagler and Silverman would be a an advocate for D.C.’s working families paid sick days for restaurant workers. forceful team fighting for good jobs, for and for a government that responds to She also supported the Large Retailer economic development that improves the the needs of its citizens rather than big Accountability Act. For the past five quality of life in D.C. neighborhoods and money. They’re both people of great cour- years, she worked for the D.C. Fiscal raises the living standards of workers, age and their election would transform Policy Institute, analyzing the D.C. bud- for affordable housing, and for bringing the D.C. City Council for the better.” get, leading budget advocacy campaigns, accountability and transparency to the

Worker Protections Strengthened by D.C. City Council Workers in Washington, D.C. won two major victories “Both of these laws hold employers accountable if they when the District of Columbia City Council passed the Wage try to rip off their workers or deny them their rights,” said Theft Prevention Act and the Ban the Box Bill. Local 400 President Mark P. Federici. “It’s long past time The Wage Theft Prevention Act makes it a crime for for workers in D.C.—and everywhere else—to be protected employers to pay less than the minimum wage, to advertise from bosses who try to break the law.” one wage and then pay a lower one after a worker has been “Wage theft in particular has been a focus for this coali- hired, and to manipulate workers’ hours to prevent them tion for years and years, so it’s amazing to see this day from qualifying for higher levels of compensation. finally come,” said Ari Schwartz of D.C. Jobs with Justice. The Ban the Box Bill prohibits employers from asking job “Now onto making sure the laws are enforced and organiz- applicants if they have been arrested or convicted of a crime ing against bad actors who break them.” until after an initial job offer is extended.

6 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LO • Local 400 Launches Education Campaign To Enforce New Minimum Wage Laws Landmark new laws raising the minimum wage in Washington, D.C., and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, as well as the rest of Maryland are taking effect. But making sure that the laws are being followed and that workers’ living standards are being raised requires constant vigilance.

That’s why Local 400 ends meet, especially off has joined with the Labor the minimum wage,” said Council for Latin American Jacqueline Midence, a four- Advancement (LCLAA) to year fast food industry work- wage an education campaign er. “When you’re supporting making workers aware that your family, every cent helps the minimum wage is going you survive. The new law will up and empowering them to help people like me live better, make sure their employers fol- it will give us more hope for low the law. the future.” “These new laws will “Jobs should lift work- provide a vital boost to hun- Jacqueline Midence, a fast food industry worker who has been ers out of poverty, not trap dreds of thousands of workers paid the minimum wage for four years, spoke out about how them in poverty,” said LCLAA struggling with how to make the new wage laws will help her family. Executive Director Hector E. ends meet,” said Local 400 Sanchez. “While we celebrate President Mark Federici. “The awareness to hold employers account- this important victory, we rec- Prince George’s County, Montgomery able and prevent wage theft in the ognize that Latino workers suffer more County, District of Columbia and future.” minimum wage and overtime pay viola- Maryland governments did their part to “I’ve worked my entire life, so I tions than any other ethnic group. That pass the laws, but it’s our job to raise know how hard it is to try and make Continued on page 17

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 7 • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LO Local 400 Members Back Immigration Reform

Local 400 members are playing a major role in the #Not1More campaign, demanding an end to unfair deporta- tions and the reform of America’s immigration laws. Yves Gomes, a Local 400 member and to take action, and fix our broken who works at Safeway, recently spoke immigration system.” at a Washington, D.C. rally organized “It’s pathetic that the U.S. House of by the campaign. “I attended the rally Representatives cannot get its act togeth- and spoke out because this issue is very er to address this critical issue,” Local important to me, that we urge the presi- 400 President Mark Federici said. “It is dent to stop deportation,” he said. “Not cruel and inhumane to break up fami- one more. Just a little over five years lies through deportation and we urge ago, my mother was deported, and a year President Obama to act in Congress’ before that, I lost my father to deporta- absence. He has the power to stop these tion. I wanted to help shine a light on deportations and keep families together. how this issue deeply affects so many On behalf of our members who are immi- families in this country, on a daily basis. grants and the entire labor movement, we Even though they are the most visible urge the president to act now.” faces on the issue, it’s not just about The #Not1More campaign is calling young people. We are fighting for the attention to the fact that after months of entire undocumented community, for shutting down Immigration and Customs parents like mine and for workers who Enforcement (ICE) offices across the coun- come to this country to make a better life try, challenging unfair deportations, signing for their families. petitions, and educating elected officials, “If I could, I would tell President the labor movement continues to call on the Obama to please stop deportations—to president to provide administrative relief Local 400 member and Safeway worker please stand with our families,” Gomes from deportation. He has announced that Yves Gomes speaks at the #Not1More rally in Washington, D.C., as Local 400 Mark P. said. “He’s given Congress the chance to he will take executive action to reform the Federici (right) watches. act, but they either won’t or are unable immigration process, and the #Not1More to—so now it’s time for him to be bold campaign is encouraging him to do just that.

Local 400 Helps People with Green Cards Become Citizens Local 400 members and staff joined other labor and on how to apply, and volunteers and lawyers assisted them as immigration groups and community organizers such as D.C. they filled out the correct paperwork. Labor and Working America at the AFL-CIO’s headquarters in Some green card holders aren’t aware that they need to Washington, D.C., to put on a workshop that helped people apply for citizenship when they become eligible and that with green cards apply for citizenship. failure to do so can put them at risk of deportation. For The workshop was designed for workers who are legal many, becoming a citizen means that they can more actively permanent residents eligible for citizenship as well as young participate in their communities, their union, and their democ- undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as chil- racy. Citizenship enables immigrants to have a stronger voice, dren and who want to apply under the Deferred Action for whether through voting, speaking out for workplace rights, or Childhood Arrivals policy. Attendees were given information standing up for a living wage.

8 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LO Local 400 Member Attends White House Summit on Working Families

Giving voice to her sisters and brothers, Local 400 member and shop steward Kimberly Mitchell, who works at Macy’s Metro Center in Washington, D.C., attended the White House Summit on Working Families. Invited by the White House, Mitchell joined business executives, economists, labor leaders, policy- makers, advocates, and ordinary citizens to discuss policy solutions that can make a positive difference in the lives of working families.

Mitchell, who now serves on the respect on the job. Many of them have Local 400 Executive Board, attended gone on strike to call on the mega-retail- the summit to bring attention to the er to end retaliation against workers who union difference in the retail industry. “I speak out to improve the workplace. am here with a simple message—union “Millions of workers, especially jobs are the best jobs,” she said. “My working women, have stories similar to Kimberly Mitchell membership in the UFCW has allowed mine,” said Bene’t Holmes, a Walmart me to achieve my dream of financial worker and single mother from Chicago. society have equal access to high-qual- security and peace of mind. That con- “They are trapped in a cycle of low wage ity jobs, with a special emphasis on tract is more than a document to me— jobs with unpredictable hours that make the increasingly important role women it’s my family’s livelihood.” it so difficult to raise a family. My hope play as breadwinners. Topics discussed Mitchell emphasized the fact that, is this event will help elevate the ongo- included workplace flexibility, equal in contrast to unorganized retail work- ing national conversation about making pay, workplace discrimination, worker ers, her strong collective bargaining today’s workplaces better for everyone, retention and promotion, opportunities agreement enables her to live comfort- including working mothers like me.” for low-wage workers, elder care, child- ably and support her family. As a single Detailing the widespread problems care, and early childhood education. mother, she is especially appreciative mothers working in the retail industry In conjunction with the summit, of “predictive scheduling” at Macy’s, face with low pay and erratic schedul- President Obama instructed every agen- which helps ensure that her hours are ing, national public policy organization cy in the federal government to expand both adequate and predictable. Demos released a report in June show- access to flexible work schedules, and “I am glad the president is focusing ing how these conditions keep millions of to give employees the right to request on these important issues,” Mitchell hard-working women and families near them. He directed the secretary of labor said. “I went there to tell the White poverty. The report concluded that if large to invest $25 million in helping people House that the best way to help retailers established a new wage equiv- who want to enroll in job-training pro- workers is through a union contract. alent to $25,000 per year for full time grams, but don’t have access to the Strengthening the right to organize and work, it would improve the lives of more child care they need to do it. And he bargain collectively should be at the top than 3.2 million female retail workers and urged Congress to pass the Pregnant of any plan to lift up working families.” lift 900,000 women and their families Workers Fairness Act, which would stop Also attending the summit were a directly out of poverty or near poverty. employers from firing pregnant workers group of “Walmart Moms” who have The summit focused on strategies to for taking too many bathroom breaks, been speaking out for fair wages and ensure that all members of American or forcing them to take unpaid leave.

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 9 • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LO

Local 400 Voters Guide

2014 MARYLAND How Candidates Governor/Lieutenant Governor House of Delegates Are Recommended Anthony Brown/Ken Ulman 13th Frank Turner 14th Anne Kaiser Local 400 recommends candidates Eric Luedtke for office only after an exhaustive pro- Comptroller Craig Zucker cess of getting to know them, analyz- Peter Franchot 15th Kathleen Dumais ing their records, and reviewing their David Fraiser-Hildalgo positions on issues impacting our Attorney General Aruna Miller members’ lives. These issues include Brian Frosh 16th Ariana Kelly jobs, the economy, workers’ rights, Bill Frick health care, retirement security, work- U.S House of Representatives Marc Korman ers’ compensation and education. We 1st Bill Tilghman 17th Kumar Barve recommend those candidates judged 4th Donna Edwards Andrew Platt to have your best interests in mind. 5th Steny Hoyer James Gilchrist In Maryland, Virginia, the District 6th John Delaney 18th Al Carr of Columbia, West Virginia, Ohio, 7th Elijah Cummings Kentucky and Tennessee, we: 8th Chris Van Hollen Jeff Waldstreicher 1. Review the voting records of 19th Bonnie Cullison incumbents on labor issues. State Senate Marice Morales 2. Participate in the AFL-CIO inter- 3rd Ron Young Ben Kramer view process and schedule one- 5th Anita Riley 20th David Moon on-one interviews between Local 13th Guy Guzzone Sheila Hixson 400 and many of the candidates. 14th Karen Montgomery Will Smith 3. Discuss with other union members 15th Brian Feldman 21st Ben Barnes and leaders the interviews and the 16th Susan Lee Barbara Frush written questionnaires candidates 17th Cheryl Kagan Joseline Pena-Melnyk submit. 18th Richard Madaleno 22nd Tawanna Gaines 4. Make recommendations to the 19th Roger Manno Alonzo Washington executive boards of the relevant 20th Jamie Raskin Anne Healey area labor councils. 21st Jim Rosapepe 23A Geraldine Valentino-Smith 5. Participate in state AFL-CIO meet- 22nd Paul Pinsky 23B Marvin Holmes ings, where delegates from Local 24th Joanne Benson Joseph Vallario 400 and other unions vote to give 25th Ulysses Currie 24th Carolyn Howard labor’s recommendation to a lim- 27th Mike Miller Michael Vaughn ited number of candidates. 28th Mac Middleton Erek Barron 5. After acceptance, these recom- 29th Roy Dyson 25th Dereck Davis mendations are communicated to 30th John Astle Angela Angel Local 400 members. 32nd James DeGrange Darryl Barnes Please note that for offices not listed 39th Nancy King 26th Kris Valderamma in this guide, Local 400 has made no 40th Catherine Pugh 27A James Procter recommendation. 45th Nathaniel McFadden 27B Michael Jackson 47th Victor Ramirez 27C Sue Kullen

10 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LO

28th Edith Patterson Charles County School Board 8th Don Beyer 29B John Bohanan Jr. Vicki Kelly 10th John Foust 29C Len Zuza 11th Gerry Connolly 30A Michael Busch Charles County 35A David Rudolph Circuit Court Judge Arlington County 39th Charles Barkley Jerome Spencer Board of Supervisors Krill Reznik Alan Howze Shane Robinson St. Mary’s County 45th Cory McCray Commission President WEST VIRGINIA Cheryl Glenn Jack Russell 47A Jimmy Tarlau U.S. Senate Diana Fennell Anne Arundel County Natalie Tennant 47B Will Campos State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess U.S House of Representatives Prince George’s 1st Glen B. Gainer III County Executive DISTRICT OF 2nd Nick Casey Rushern Baker III COLUMBIA 3rd Nick J. Rahall II

Prince George’s County Council Delegate to Congress State Senate 1st Mary Lehman Eleanor Holmes Norton 1st Rocky Fitzsimmons 2nd Deni Taveras 2nd Larry Edgell 3rd Danielle Glaros Attorney General 3rd Robert “Robin” Wilson Jr. 7th Karen Toles Edward “Smitty” Smith 5th Mike Woelfel 6th Truman Chafin Prince George’s County City Council Chairman 7th Ron Stollings State’s Attorney Phil Mendelson 8th Erik Wells Angela Alsobrooks 9th Mike Green City Council 10th Ronald “Ron” Miller Montgomery County Council A-L Graylan Hagler 11th Gregory A. Tucker A-L Marc Elrich Elissa Silverman 12th Mike Romano Hans Reimer 1st Brianne Nadeau 13th Bob Beach George Leventhal 5th Kenyan McDuffie 14th Stan Shaver 4th Nancy Navarro 6th Charles Allen 15th Donald H. Cookman 5th Tom Hucker 16th John Unger Ballot Initiative 17th Doug Skaff Jr. Montgomery County Yes on Initiative 71— State’s Attorney Marijuana Legalization House of Delegates John McCarthy 1st Randy Swartzmiller VIRGINIA Ronnie D. Jones Charles County 2nd Phil Diserio Commissioner President U.S. Senate 3rd Holli Smith Peter Murphy Mark Warner Erikka Storch 4th Mike Ferro Charles County Commissioner U.S House of Representatives Dave Hall 2nd Debra Davis 2nd Suzanne Patrick 5th Dave Pethtel 3rd Amanda Stewart 3rd Bobby Scott 8th Denzil “Buddy” Malone 4th Robert Rucci 7th Jack Trammell 9th Jim Marion

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 11 10th Dan Poling 42nd Ray Canterbury Treasurer 12th Michael “Mike” Bright Coy A. Flowers Connie Pillich 13th Joshua Martin 43rd Denise L. Campbell Josh McGrath 44th Dana L. Lynch Auditor 14th Johnny Roach 45th Bill Hamilton John Patrick-Carney 16th Jim Morgan 46th Peggy Donaldson Smith Sean Hornbuckle 47th “Tammy” Stemple U.S. House of Representatives Lauren Plymale 48th Richard J. Iaquinta 6th Jennifer Garrison 17th Doug Reynolds Tim Miley Dale Stephens Joe Shaffer State House of Representatives 19th Don Perdue Patsy Samuel Trecost II 89th Chris Redfern Ken Hicks 49th Mike Manypenny 20th Justin J. Marcum 50th Mike Caputo Court Of Appeals 21st Harry Keith White Linda Longstreth 7th Anthony Donofrio 22nd Jeff Eldridge Tim Manchin Gary McCallister 51st Barbara E. Fleischauer KENTUCKY 23rd Barry L. Brown Charlene Marshall 24th Ralph Rodighiero Anthony “Tony” Barill U.S. Senate 25th Linda Goode Phillips Nancy Jamison Alison Lundergan Grimes 26th Clif Moore John Williams 27th Carol B. Bailey 52nd Larry Williams State Senate 28th James “Jim” Brown 55th Isaac Sponaugle 18th Robin Webb 29th Ricky Moye 57th Ruth Rowan 31st Ray Jones 30th Mick Bates 59th Layne Diehl 31st Clyde D. McKnight Jr 61st Jason Barrett State House of Representatives 32nd Dave Perry 62nd Kristin Loken 98th Tanya Pullin Margaret Anne Staggers 63rd Heather Marshall 100th Kevin Sinette John Pino 65th Tiffany Lawrence 33rd David A. Walker 66th Daniel P. Lutz Jr. TENNESSEE 34th Brent Boggs 67th Stephen Skinner 35th “Bobbie” Hatfield U.S. Senate Andrew D. Byrd OHIO Gordon Ball Sherri Wong Thornton Cooper Governor State House of Representatives 36th Nancy Guthrie Ed FitzGerald 4th Rob Martin Danny Wells Secretary of State Larry Rowe Nina Turner Constitutional Amendment 37th Mike Pushkin Yes on Amendment 2— 39th Sally Shepherd Attorney General Tennessee Judicial Selection 41st Adam R. Young David Pepper

12 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 Local 400 Acts! Members Making a Difference Local 400’s greatest strength lies with our 35,000 members—hard-working men and women of great talent, intelligence and dedication who are making a difference on the job and in our com- munities. Here are four members who stand out because of their activism, their special talents and skills, and the unique stories they have to tell. Like so many of their brothers and sisters, they are making our world a better place.

needed. I figured serv- Yewell Adams ing as a shop steward Helping Hand would be one way to There aren’t that many pharmacists in America give back.” who are union members. But Yewell Adams is one— In the more than and proud of it. a decade since, he Yewell has worked for 41 years in the profession, has been involved in at Dart, Fantle’s, People’s and now CVS. He joined countless grievances, Local 400 14 years ago and has been a shop stew- usually working side- ard for the last 11 years, often going far above and by-side with his Local beyond the call of duty to serve his brothers and sis- 400 representative, ters. Heather Thomas, but sometimes handling them him- He was no stranger to organized labor—his father self. “I just enjoy helping people,” Yewell said. “It had been president of the local railroad union. “My just makes me feel good to be able to help win justice father enjoyed making sure everybody got a fair deal and fair treatment for them. and good working conditions,” Yewell recalled. “So “I’ve hated bullies all my life,” he added. at one point in my career when I had a run-in with “Nothing makes me angrier than when someone my supervisor, I called Local 400 and got the help I bullies someone else. If someone does something

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 13 Local 400 Acts CVS and expects to do the same during the next Continued from page 13 round, which will take place in the winter of 2015. wrong, tell them and correct them, but don’t belittle “I love it,” he said. “I used to be on the debate them.” team in college. All negotiations are really like debates, with the same tactics, the same give and Yewell, who works at CVS #4296 in Ashburn, Va., take. I just really enjoy the whole process.” also makes organizing a top priority. For many years, Yewell lives in Sterling, Va., with his wife Nancy, a a low percentage of CVS pharmacists were members, retired pharmacist and also a proud Local 400 mem- but now it’s increased approximately four-fold. “In ber. “I don’t think that what I do is exceptional,” he the last two years, CVS has been very harsh with its said. “I enjoy helping people and I’m glad I make a policies, so that’s led to a surge in membership,” he difference, but everyone who works for our union noted. does the same thing. Even as a pharmacist, I’m help- But that understates his role. Yewell spends 25 ing other people. That’s the best reward you can to 35 hours a month traveling to other CVS stores, get—helping other people.” talking with pharmacists about the issues they’re facing on the job. “I’ve probably visited about 80 percent of the stores in the Washington area,” he Jackie said. “I also make a point of meeting with phar- macists who work the overnight shift. I’ll leave my Decker house on a Friday night around 11:30 p.m. and go “Family is all night. They’re glad someone takes the time to Everything” talk with them.” When Jackie Decker “I’m there to help in any way I can” moved from New York Yewell even managed to visit the CVS pharmacy State to Clarksburg, in the Pentagon. “It’s easier to get into Syria than to W.Va., in 1991, she was get into the Pentagon,” he said. “You’ve got to pro- leaving her extended duce a birth certificate, a passport, you name it. The family behind and arriving in a town where she knew pharmacist there was amazed—he said no one gets no one. But then she went to work at Kroger #688 in here. and joined Local 400. “When I visit stores, I just let pharmacists know “I had never been in a union before,” she recalled. I’m here for you, and ask what can I do for you, “I didn’t know what it was about. But when I got is there anything I can help you with, do you have to work at Kroger and got to know my fellow union any questions,” Yewell said. “I also give them tips members, I realized it’s like a big family. And ever about things, like what supervisors are doing. They since, I’ve had a family here in Clarksburg, thanks to know I’m there to help in any way I can and that my union.” helps them understand why it’s in their interest to “I realized [our union is] sign up.” like a big family.” Yewell has served on the bargaining committee One person who also helped her along was her during the last three rounds of negotiations with shop steward, Jerry Rexroad, who serves on the Local

14 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 400 Executive Board. “Jerry’s like a big brother to me,” she said. “Whenever I need something, he’s Kevin Freeman there for me. Even though I moved to Kroger #773 a Fighter for Justice little more than a year ago, he’s still someone I turn For Kevin Freeman, to for advice.” a journeyman meat Jackie has gained acclaim throughout Clarksburg cutter at Shoppers not only for her work as a deli clerk at Kroger, but #2816 in New because she has won five awards over the past six Carrollton, Md., there years in her town’s famed pasta cook-off, held to is nothing more grat- launch the annual West Virginia Italian Heritage ing than when his fel- Festival. low employees are “It’s been such a great experience,” she said. “My mistreated by man- family at Kroger is so supportive, hanging up signs in agement. the store when I’ve won. Plus, my customers come Over the 27 years and see me during the cook-off and I get to know he has worked at Shoppers, there have been times them better. They’re also like family to me. On top when he needed his union representative to resolve of that, my 15-year-old grandson helped me out this issues involving the mismanagement of personnel. year, so it was like bringing together both parts of my “My rep was right there,” Kevin said. “They always family.” return my calls and always take the appropriate Jackie is especially renowned for her red sauce, action.” which won first prize in 2013. She purchases all the “We’re going to keep fighting for a ingredients for it at Kroger, including the “secret fair contract, however long it takes.” ingredient.” “Everyone wants to know what it is,” Kevin was even more concerned when he wit- she said, “but the only person I’ve ever told is my nessed management harassing other employees daughter.” or violating the terms of their collective bargaining With bargaining starting this fall, Jackie plans to agreement, and often spoke up when he saw some- be involved in the fight for a good contract. “I’m thing being mishandled. So it was natural for him to just hoping it will turn out to be fair for everyone,” become a shop steward. she said. “I hope they open up more full-time posi- “At first, I hesitated,” he said. “After much reflect- tions, improve our wages and keep our health insur- ing, I realized I had to do this. I knew it would be a ance. I’m planning to be involved more in this round good challenge for me, and I want to go as far as I than in the past, so I can keep informed on what’s can to help anyone in need and make sure everyone’s going on and do what I can to secure a strong rights are upheld.” agreement.” Since then, he has spent much of his time assisting Jackie lives in Clarksburg with her husband Glen, members, attending meetings with store managers, who works as a chef at an Italian restaurant. She has and working to enforce the collective bargaining three children and seven grandchildren. “Family is agreement. everything,” she said. “Both my real family and my Kevin served on the Bargaining Committee dur- Local 400 family mean everything to me.” ing the 2012 negotiations, which he said, “got

Fall 20132014 UNION LEADER 15 Local 400 Acts tary service. Except for a seven-year period when Continued from page 15 he left to work at his family’s restaurant in southern Maryland, he’s been there ever since. For the past six pretty nasty at times.” Even though it had its rough years, he’s served as shop steward at his store (#196, patches, he learned a lot from that experience and in Montgomery Village, Md.), where he is the frozen is very excited about the upcoming round of bar- food manager. gaining. He remembers the days when Giant was owned “As is so often the case these days, health care and by the Cohen fam- pensions are the biggest obstacles,” he added. “We’re ily. “Back in 1974, we going to keep fighting for a fair contract, however were going on strike,” long it takes. We work very hard at Shoppers. All the Mike recalled. “The employees are doing everything they can to keep the store’s founder, Mr. company afloat. We have a right to expect that man- Cohen, asked, ‘What agement will recognize this and join with us in craft- can we do to get you ing a fair collective bargaining agreement.” back to work—would Kevin has been a stalwart Local 400 activist in an extra 25 cents other areas, too. He has participated in actions an hour do it?’ We against Walmart, spoken with Walmart associates, said, ‘Sure.’ And his and done what he can to support their efforts to be response was, ‘We treated with respect and dignity on the job. give them a quarter, it keeps the employees happy, A resident of Upper Marlboro, Md., Kevin and his we make the customer happy, and everyone makes wife of 29 years have one son. He enjoys spending money!’ That attitude made them a great employer.” time at his Church and assisting others as needed. He By contrast, he noted, “Today, Ahold is trying to appreciates what his union has done for him and his take away what we make. We sign an agreement and fellow members, and he gives back through his work then they come back and try to change it. The only as a steward and activist. “It means a whole lot being thing they care about is putting more money in their a Local 400 member,” he said. “It means job security, pockets. and Local 400 does a very good job of representing “The only way to fight back is by and advocating for us.” standing in solidarity.” “They think they’re helping themselves, but they’re Dorwin “Mike” really cutting their own throats,” he said. “When you Swick, Jr. do everything you can to make your workers miser- able, you’re not going to get happy customers and Speaking His Mind you’re not going to make money.” Over the course of 45 years, a lot can change— Mike recalled that when he first started working unfortunately, not always for the better. Dorwin at Giant, “I made $1.87 an hour. That was decent “Mike” Swick, Jr. has certainly seen that at Giant. money back then. I could afford to buy a house even He started working at the company—and became as a part-timer. New hires can’t do anything like that a Local 400 member—in 1969, when he left mili- today.

16 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 “The only way to fight back is by standing in soli- Ahold is taking its profits out of its union shops and darity,” he said. “From the newest hire to the oldest. putting them into the non-union shops, and then it Because if we let them take an inch by dividing us, can’t understand why the union shops aren’t making they’ll take a mile.” money. Mike noted a change for the worse in manage- “I’ve been around long enough that I can speak my ment’s behavior in recent years. “Six years ago, if mind,” he said. “Management might not like it, but I had two or three grievances a month, that was a I’m going to tell them what I think and call them out lot,” he said. “Now, it’s two or three grievances every on contract violations no matter what.” week. Management has taken this attitude that, ‘If A resident of Frederick., Md., Mike lives with his you don’t like it, file a grievance.’ It’s very hard on wife Hazel, also a Local 400 member and retired everyone. Ahold feels that the contract is an instru- Giant employee. He has one son and two grandchil- ment to be broken. dren. “Giant will lose control of the Washington- “It’s thanks to Local 400 that I’ve been able to Baltimore market unless it finds a way to train new have a career at Giant and make a decent living,” hires in the ways of the past, treat them better and Mike said. “But it’s so much harder for the worker involve them more,” Mike added. “The company who’s coming up today and that’s what I’m con- needs to recruit and retain good workers who want cerned about. We have to find a way to get all of our a career, rather than treat new hires like a low-wage brothers and sisters together to stand as one—that’s revolving door. how we can improve our lives and make the company “Giant is in a fight for its life,” he said. “But better at the same time.”

New Minimum Wage Laws Continued from page 7 is why we have joined this critical tour to ensure Latinos basis until they reach $11.50/hour in D.C., Montgomery are not robbed of their hard earned wages. We want to and Prince George’s, and $10.10/hour in the rest of make it clear to employees and employers that paying what Maryland. the law requires is not negotiable.” In addition, a new paid sick leave law has taken effect “Today is a day to celebrate the work we accomplished in the District of Columbia, enabling workers to earn sick together, the power that we can have together, and that is something we can all be proud of,” said Rev. Graylan leave starting on their first day on the job, and requiring Hagler, pastor of the Plymouth Congregational United employers to grant paid leave when workers or their fami- Church of Christ, at a Washington, D.C. press conference lies are sick or have a medical appointment, and when they announcing the education campaign. After the press con- need to receive services related to domestic violence, stalk- ference, supporters canvassed local businesses and restau- ing or sexual assault rants to inform workers, business owners and customers of Unfortunately, not all employers comply with the law. the new laws. Wage theft is a huge problem across America, especially in On July 1st, the D.C. minimum wage rose to $9.50/ lower-wage jobs. That’s why workers should always check hour. On October 1st, the Montgomery and Prince George’s County minimum wage increased to $8.40/ their pay stubs to be sure they are being paid at least the hour. Elsewhere in Maryland, the minimum wage rises minimum wage, and for all the hours they’ve worked. To to $8.00/hour on January 1, 2015. The minimum wage report any problems, workers should call (301) 577-9291 or in these jurisdictions will continue to rise on an annual email [email protected].

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 17 CONTRACT! Kroger Members Win Long Battle, Ratify Four-Year Agreement Maintains Health Benefits, Retirement Security, Standard of Living

Local 400 members in the Richmond and Tidewater areas of Virginia voted overwhelmingly on September 24th to ratify a new, four-year collective bargaining agreement with Kroger that preserves their health and retire- ment security and increases their wages. The bargaining was difficult and es in vacation pay and night premium playing ‘favorites’ when it comes to pay lengthy, largely due to complications pay, improvements for fuel center clerks, increases. and additional costs imposed by the and the creation of additional lead posi- “It is the activism of our members, Affordable Care Act (ACA), but a sus- tions along with premium increases for and the solidarity shown throughout the tained campaign of member activ- both leads and department head back- country, that enabled us to achieve these ism—both on a regional and national ups. gains,” Federici said. “Their dedication, level—overcame these hurdles and “This contract is an improvement,” strength, and willingness to turn up the resulted in a strong contract. said Local 400 President Mark P. heat on Kroger at the store level when it Notably, the new collective bargain- Federici. “Our members will keep their was necessary is the reason why we have ing agreement implements raises based current health care benefits and won’t this solid contract today—a contract on seniority, abolishing the old system be forced onto the often inferior plans that they not only deserve, but rightfully that left raises up to the discretion of offered through the ACA’s health care earned.” store managers. It also includes health exchanges. Kroger will pay their share Locally, Kroger members and com- care “Maintenance of Benefits,” mean- of benefits in full through the life of munity allies leafleted stores, gather- ing that Kroger will contribute whatever the contract, our members’ pensions ing thousands of shoppers’ pledges is necessary to the health care fund to will be properly funded, and our mem- to stand with them through contract pay all benefits. And it includes increas- bers won’t be subjected to management negotiations. They also rallied their

Local 400 President Mark P. Federici discusses the terms of the new contract with members at the Norfolk ratification meeting.

From left to right, Local 400 member activist Kayla Mock, and Kroger members Denise Goodnow and Chuck Goodnow hold “YES” cards expressing support for Kroger workers signed by customers outside store #505 in Midlothian, Va.

18 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 The Kroger Bargaining Committee after ratification of the new contract.

coworkers at Kroger stores nationwide “It took us working past the origi- to wear buttons reading, “Solidarity nal expiration date, but I’m proud of my with Virginia Kroger Workers” at work coworkers, fellow bargaining commit- not only to show management they were tee members, and the leadership of our standing together in the fight for a fair union, we fought hard and are proud of contract, but also to show support for the agreement we have reached,” said workers at the new Kroger Marketplace Michael Holcomb, a committee member stores in Richmond and Virginia Beach. from Kroger #511 in Richmond. The fight for fairness and respect at “Management wanted to take every- the Marketplace stores is just beginning. thing away from us,” said Laverne These stores—which resemble those of Wrenn, a member of the Bargaining another giant retailer facing massive Committee who works at Kroger #538. worker protests—sell not just groceries “But we showed the company we are but clothing and jewelry. Violating past strong. We told them we are ready to practice, Kroger is denying employees fight. And that is what made the differ- Local 400 members Kevin Bly and Milana at Marketplace stores the opportunity to Buraliev hold “raises over roses” flyers ence.” have a voice at work free from intimida- handed out to emphasize the need for The collective bargaining agreement tion and coercion. Instead, in a possibly Kroger workers to improve their standard takes effect retroactively as of August 3, of living. unlawful union-busting tactic, Kroger is 2014. It expires on August 4, 2018, and telling workers they’ll get higher wages other stores in the region and across the covers 3,500 workers. The previous con- if they a sign piece of paper saying they country.” tract was extended three times as nego- won’t join the union. “From what we started with, when tiators sought to overcome the significant “It was a long, challenging ride to the company proposed taking away part- challenges before them. reach this good contract we ratified time and spousal health care, we’ve “This contract will enable Kroger to today,” said Peggy Billie, a Bargaining come a long way and on top of that we maintain their dominance as the number Committee member who works at Kroger got some extra money in our pockets!” one grocery retailer, while doing right #500 in Richmond. “And we aren’t done. said Joseph Vaughn, a Bargaining by the workers whose productivity and We are going to keep the pressure up on Committee Member who works at Kroger customer service have lifted them to the Kroger until our fellow workers at the #537 in Virginia Beach. “We have dem- top,” Federici said. “We look forward to Marketplace stores have the same rights onstrated that by standing together, we implementing it and helping these chains and protections on the job as we do in are strong!” expand their market share.”

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 19 Grassroots Campaign Pressures Kroger To Stop Union-Busting Throughout the past six months, Local 400 members great investment they are.” A loyal Kroger customer then have joined with Kroger workers represented by other UFCW added, “I have always supported the Kroger company and Local Unions in an all-out online and on-the-ground cam- encourage many of my friends to do their shopping there. paign to ensure that all of the company’s employees have I hope that Kroger will rethink what they are doing to their the right to join a union without coercion or interference employees who have come to know me by name.” from their employer. Simultaneously, these digital actions were met with store- The #KrogerStrong campaign has grown nationally, with front actions throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky UFCW Kroger workers submitting photos of themselves in and Ohio, garnering support from loyal customers who their stores holding signs and wearing buttons with mes- where asked to stand with workers by signing a support sages of solidarity with workers at the Kroger Marketplace card and turning it in to the manager on duty. stores in Henrico County and Virginia Beach, Va., who are The campaign continues today and is growing in its inten- being denied their right to union representation. sity. “We leave no one behind,” said Local 400 President In the days leading up to Kroger’s shareholder meeting in Mark P. Federici. “We’re going to keep fighting with every- June, UFCW members, customers and allies signed an online thing we have to make Kroger the wall-to-wall union com- petition, and supported a digital “Thunderclap” that satu- pany it always has been and always must be.” rated social networks by pushing out over 200 tweets and Members of Facebook posts reaching 110,000 people. UFCW Local 227 During the shareholder meeting, Kroger members and in Kentucky customers took to Kroger’s Facebook page in real time, show their solidarity with sharing messages of support. These included a Local 23 Local 400’s member who posted, “I worked at Kroger in the past and it Virginia Kroger was a good company! It is sad to see the path it is taking. members. Walmart models of business are NO GOOD for America!” Another supporter wrote, “Kroger please stop treating your employees as an expense and start treating them like the

Members of UFCW Local 555 in Oregon give Virginia Kroger workers a thumbs-up.

Members of Local 961 proudly display their “Solidarity with Virginia Kroger Workers” Chad Weaver of UFCW Local 700 in buttons. Indiana shows his support.

20 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 West Virginia Kroger Workers Mobilize for Contract Battle With Local 400 members working at Kroger in the that asked the question, “what are you willing to do for a fair Richmond and Tidewater areas of Virginia agreeing on a new contract,” followed by check boxes with four options, as a tool to contract, attention turns to West Virginia, where their broth- generate conversations with their coworkers back at their stores. ers and sisters are mobilizing for their own contract battle Throughout the week, Federici also visited several West this fall. Virginia Krogers to talk with and listen to In September, West Virginia Kroger mem- “We have to stick members about the upcoming negotiations. bers turned up in droves at contract mobiliza- With virtually every round of bargaining tion meetings energized and ready to discuss together; you are in the retail food industry requiring exten- the upcoming round of bargaining. the union, and it sions lasting weeks and sometimes months At four locations around the state, meet- due to the impact of the Affordable Care Act ing rooms were packed with Local 400 mem- only works if you and other challenges, Federici emphasized bers eager to voice their desires, concerns, and work it!” the need for solidarity over the long haul. ideas for their upcoming contract. Local 400 President “No matter how long it takes, all of us have “If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again—the Mark P. Federici got to keep our feet on the accelerator. Our strength of the union is each one of you all and members working at Kroger in Virginia and each of your coworkers back at your stores,” Giant and Safeway in the Washington area said Local 400 president Mark P. Federici. “We have to stick did this, and they won themselves strong, fair contracts. If together; you are the union, and it only works if you work it!” our West Virginia members do the same, that’s what we’ll At the end of the meetings, each member took postcards get here, too.”

Local 400 President Mark P. Federici answers questions from Kroger mem- bers in Charleston, W.Va.

Local 400 President Mark P. Federici speaks with Kroger mem- bers at the contract mobilization meeting in Barboursville, W.Va. We
re #KrogerStrong #KrogerStrong We
re We are Uo Sro

We are Uo Sro Kroger has opened non-union stores right next door in Virginia and we have been standing in solidarity with them as they fight for a voice on the Kroger has opened non-union stores right next door in Virginia and we job! Now, it’s ourwith turn to stand together in West Virginia as we head have been standing in solidarity with them as they fight for a voice on the into our own contract negotiations! job! Now, it’s our turn to stand together in West Virginia as we head with into our own contract negotiations! We make Kroger strong and successful! We make Kroger strong and successful! And it is time we share in their successes! And it is time we share in their successes! I’m willing to stand up for a fair contract by... Kroger(please check all thatWorkers apply and write clearly!!!) I’m willing to stand up for a fair contract by... print name (please check all that apply and write clearly!!!) leafleting customers print name Kroger Workers leafleting customers wearing a button at work phone number talking to my coworkers wearing a button at work phone number Productions store # talking to my coworkers attending rallies or events Productions store # attending rallies or events

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 21 We
re #KrogerStrong We
re #KrogerStrong We are Uo Sro

We are Uo Sro Kroger has opened non-union stores right next door in Virginia and we have been standing in solidarity with them as they fight for a voice on the Kroger has opened non-union stores right next door in Virginia and we job! Now, it’s our turn to stand together in West Virginia as we head have been standing in solidarity with them as they fight for a voice on the with into our own contract negotiations! job! Now, it’s our turn to stand together in West Virginia as we head into our own contract negotiations! We make Kroger strong and successful! with We make Kroger strong and successful! And it is time we share in their successes! And it is time we share in their successes! I’m willing to stand up for a fair contract by... (please check all that apply and write clearly!!!) I’m willing to stand up for a fair contract by... Kroger Workers print name (please check all that apply and write clearly!!!) leafleting customers print name Kroger Workers leafleting customers wearing a button at work phone number talking to my coworkers wearing a button at work phone number Productions store # talking to my coworkers attending rallies or events Productions store # attending rallies or events Bestway Silver Spring Workers Ratify New Contract Bargaining Underway at Virginia Stores

Culminating a long, hard, fierce struggle, Local 400 mem- all-out effort by our Bestway members, and it’s a real tribute bers working at Bestway on Piney Branch Rd. in Silver Spring to their unbreakable spirit,” said Local 400 President Mark ratified a strong new collective bargaining agreement in P. Federici. “It took a long time and tremendous persistence, August. but the result is better pay, better working conditions, and The contract includes significant wage increases, continu- continued health and retirement security.” ation of health benefits, vacation improvements, and sched- Meanwhile, contract negotiations are underway at the uling policy changes that will help workers get more hours. recently-organized Bestway store in Falls Church, Va., and Notably, it also includes $30,000 in back pay to workers are about to start at the Mount Vernon, Va., store, too. who had not been paid the correct wages under the previ- “This is a great opportunity for our Bestway brothers ous extended contract. and sisters in Virginia to build a better life for themselves,” The contract campaign was marked by member activism Federici said. “Here, as in Silver Spring, activism will be the involving store actions, customer and community outreach, key. If our members put in the same amazing effort they did and even a march on the boss. to win recognition at these stores, I’m confident we’ll get a “Getting this collective bargaining agreement took an good, strong, fair contract.”

“It took a long time and tremendous persistence, but the result is better pay, better working conditions, and continued health and retirement security.” Local 400 President Mark P. Federici

Silver Spring Bestway workers, Local 400 staff and community allies in front of their store.

22 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 Shoppers Bargaining Continues Every round of bargaining these days is proving challenging at the very least. The Affordable Care Act is increasing costs for Local 400’s health and welfare funds, making it the most problematic issue in negotiations. Pensions and other issues also present obstacles much of the time. So it is with Shoppers Food & Pharmacy. The previous contract is on extension while negotiators continue to work through solutions to these problems that are acceptable to both sides. In the meantime, Shoppers members are working actively to inform customers and community allies of the situation. They are making the case that they sacrificed to make Shoppers profitable and now they have more than earned fair pay and benefits for keeping the company alive. Local 400 members Kelly Jackson and Shop stewards and member activists are handing out cards reading, “In 2012, we Deanna Kelly of Shoppers #2653 show the saved Shoppers. We took cuts so they could stay open and become profitable again. cards they signed committing themselves to stand up for a fair contract. Now, it’s 2014 and thanks to our hard work and sacrifices, Shoppers is back on track and making money! During this contract negotiation period, we must stand together for what we deserve: preserved health care benefits, the reinstatement of A stores that became C stores, and more money in our pockets! We made sure Shoppers was suc- cessful. It’s time for us to share in that success!” “I know how frustrating it is for members when bargaining takes as long as it does at Shoppers as well as our other employers,” said Local 400 President Mark P. Federici. “I feel that frustration myself. All of us on the Bargaining Committee get impatient. But we’re going to keep at it, unrelentingly, until we get a fair deal that does right by our Shop Steward Mike hard-working Shoppers members. Continued activism by members is absolutely critical. Rickord shows the con- tract mobilization card And as we have done with Giant, Safeway and Kroger, we will get there.” to a fellow member.

Shoppers stewards outside store #2653, where they conduct- ed an action.

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 23 Community-Worker Campaigns Block Two Maryland Walmarts

Reeling from public opposition to the company’s low wages and destructive community impact, Walmart withdrew its plans for a new 118,000 square foot supercenter in Aspen Hill, Md., and found its proposal for a 100,310 square foot supercenter in Oxon Hill, Md., rejected by the Prince George’s County zoning authority. In both cases, the Walmart defeats be detrimental to the use of adjacent were the result of two factors: properties.” Recently-passed laws in Montgomery Many parents of children attend- and Prince George’s Counties that ing the two schools, neighbors and require a special exception from zon- workers, including Local 400 members, ing authorities before any retail outlet Walmart organized a grassroots campaign to larger than 85,000 square feet can be stop the supercenter and testified at built—and strong grassroots commu- zoning hearings. nity-worker opposition. “We don’t want to sacrifice our In Aspen Hill, in Montgomery kids in the name of economic devel- County, nearby homeowners found- opment,” Nicole Nelson told The ed a group to oppose the super- Washington Post. The mother of chil- center, fearing its impact on their dren at John Hanson, she said, “We “Students from Oxon Hill High environment, traffic, safety and qual- feel triumphant in getting our point ity of life. A petition was circulated School may ... have to cross two across that this project is not suitable by MoveOn.org, noting that, “A new vehicular entrances into the proposed for a location right next to our school.” store means big profits for Walmart store,” Epps wrote in her decision. Walmart may appeal the ruling to the and big headaches for Montgomery “One of these entrances is also uti- Prince George’s County Council, so con- County. It means more poverty-wage lized by trucks entering or exiting the tinued efforts to keep the predatory low- jobs. And it means less business for loading dock area. Students from the wage, small business-killing behemoth small businesses.” In addition, several Montessori School will see a board- Montgomery County Council members, on-board fence, some landscaping and out of Oxon Hill will still be necessary. most notably Marc Elrich (D-At Large), the eastern façade of the building. “Even a massive company raking in raised concerns and objections. They may also hear the delivery trucks $17 billion in profits each year has to Ultimately, Walmart came to see idling or hear the workers unloading, abide by county zoning laws,” said Local this as a fight it could not win. since the loading area is adjacent to 400 President Mark P. Federici. “Our In Oxon Hill, in Prince George’s that school’s property. ... Moreover the success in enacting these laws and the County, zoning hearing examiner loading area could impact the young broad-based community-worker coali- Maurene Epps McNeil objected to the students playing outside of the school. tions that have sprung up in Maryland fact that the proposed Walmart would “I do not believe,” she concluded, and elsewhere have put Walmart on have been located next door to John that Walmart “has met its burden in its heels. We are going to keep fight- Hanson Montessori School and near its request for a variance, nor in show- ing together until Walmart becomes a Oxon Hill High School, and would have ing that the use would not adversely responsible corporate citizen that lifts many other negative impacts on near- affect the health, safety, or welfare communities and workers up, rather than by residents and workers. of residents/workers in the area, nor driving them down.”

24 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 Local 400 Member Wins Takoma Park Officer of the Year Award

Detective Private First Class Travis Ala was recently honored as Takoma Park’s Officer of the Year. A Local 400 member who is serving on the bargaining com- mittee negotiating a new contract for the city’s police officers, D/Pfc. Ala previous- ly served on the Annapolis police force, which is also represented by Local 400. As the Takoma Park Police Department noted, “D/Pfc. Ala’s work and actions have contributed signifi- cantly to the department’s visions and goals through his extraordinary efforts in the accomplishment of extremely dif- ficult police work requiring skills and intelligence. He has demonstrated out- standing performance by showing initia- tive, perseverance and dedication to duty in highly credible police work. D/Pfc. Ala is an excellent asset to the Takoma Park Police Department and to the citizens he Takoma Park’s Officer of the Year, Travis Ala (center), with Local 400 Member Service Director Yolanda Anwar (left) and Executive Assistant to the President Carol Wiszynski serves. His teamwork, persistence and (right) following a bargaining session. efforts to better the department, take felons off the streets and to ensure the “His dedication to public safety and his In addition to Annapolis and Takoma safety of others is outstanding!” achievements in protecting Takoma Park Park, Md., Local 400 represents police “I want to congratulate Travis Ala residents are exemplary, and they reflect officers in Belpre, Ohio. for receiving this great honor,” said the character, commitment and hard work Local 400 President Mark P. Federici. of all Local 400 members.”

Local 400 Police Officers Raise Funds for Special Olympics Torch Run

Annapolis police officers—proud members of Local 400—are actively supporting the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which increases awareness and raises funds for the Special Olympics movement. Now in its 32nd year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run raises more than $40 million annually, and it has grown into a worldwide event with more 97,000 volunteers in 46 countries.

Annapolis Police Officers and Local 400 members Jimmy Buckson and Deborah Sauriol were recently spotted traveling around their community raising funds for the Torch Run.

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 25 Denise Hawkins Deli Shoppers #2649 Alexandria, Va.

Jeffrey B. White Frozen Food Kroger #239 Charlottesville, Va.

Gregory Johnson Jockey Driver Boar's Head Jarratt, Va.

26 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 Phyllis Galloway Bakery Manager Giant #743 Arlington, Va.

Luis Yanez Produce Safeway #1668 Rockville, Md.

Edwin Gonzalez Stocker Bestway Piney Branch Silver Spring, Md.

Nora Padilla-Sison RN/Interventional Radiology Kaiser #45 Tyson’s Corner, Va.

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 27 ACT! for Safety Get Trained and Certified Before Using Fork Lifts and Power Motor Pallet Jacks We’ve all seen them; they are a central pallet of product down to move a pallet about seven years to maneuver heavy part of how we get our job done. But not of product off a truck, for example, and weighted pallets, so he would have room everyone can use them. if a certified operator isn’t right there, a to work. But he had never been certi- Fork lifts and power motor pal- supervisor might tell you to operate the fied to operate power equipment; he had let jacks might seem simple, but fork lift or you might be tempted to do it learned by watching other workers. He they’re powerful, potentially danger- regardless. That’s a recipe for trouble, was only qualified to operate a manual ous pieces of equipment. That’s why the because if you use one without being pallet jack. One day, while working in a U.S. Occupational Safety and Health trained and certified and get injured, the tight space near a wall, he miscued and Administration (OSHA) requires workers company can refuse your workers com- caused the jack to drive backwards into to be trained and certified before they are pensation claim. him instead of forward—shattering the allowed to operate them. Similarly no one should ever use a bone in his leg. That means not only receiving instruc- forklift as an elevator while standing on The company placed the warning tion and taking a test, but also operating a pallet or the forks themselves while notice on his chest as the lifesaving crew a fork lift or power motor pallet jack in someone else lifts him or her up. That is was loading him into the ambulance. It front of a certified instructor to show that considered an unsafe use of power equip- rejected his workers compensation claim. you can maneuver it safely. Only then can ment by both parties. His union filed a grievance, noting that you take the controls. Here’s a true story that illustrates his supervisors had watched him oper- The problem is that in the midst of a what can go wrong: An employee had ate power equipment for years and done hectic shift, you might need to lower a been using a motorized pallet jack for nothing to stop him. Fortunately, the union won that grievance. But this situ- ation should have never happened in the first place. Remember, it’s the company’s obli- gation to keep you safe, but if the com- pany can prove it didn’t know safety procedures were not being followed, you can be at risk not only of injury but of being left destitute. That’s why no mem- ber should take unnecessary risks—not even once. Management knows that if it intends for you to use power equipment, it must train and certify you. If a supervisor ever tells you to use a fork lift, a power motor pallet jack, or other piece of equipment you’re not certified for, please contact your steward or your union representa- tive immediately.

28 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 AMERICA WORKS WHEN WE SAY... Smithfield Workers Join Local 400, Ratify New Contract

In a great, hard-earned triumph, 57 workers at the Smithfield Distribution Center in Newport News, Va., overwhelmingly voted to be represented by Local 400 on July 23rd. Two months later, they ratified their first four-year collective bar- gaining agreement. It raises their living standards, adds paid sick days, and protects their health and welfare benefits. “It’s a great honor and privilege to welcome the Smithfield work- ers to the Local 400 family,” said Local 400 President Mark Federici. “They are a dedicated, fearless group of workers and we are proud to represent them. “Thanks to their activism, we were able to bargain a first-rate contract improving their pay and working conditions,” he said. “They Smithfield Distribution Center workers celebrate achieved a well-earned victory.” their victory in joining Local 400.

Northern Neck Fish Fry Celebrates 25th Anniversary For the 25th consecutive year, Local 400’s Omega Protein fishermen held their annual Northern Neck Fish Fry, a great gathering enabling Local 400 members, community residents, civil rights activists, congregations, and elected officials to eat good food, enjoy good conversation and do some good for people in need. Attendees enjoyed crabs, fish, chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs while they listened to gospel music, talked with their neighbors, and shook hands with candidates on the ballot this fall. They also had the opportunity to register to vote, learn more about the upcom- ing elections, find out about the ben- efits of union representation, and get health information about sickle cell anemia, leukemia and other diseases. Local 400 President Mark P. Federici and Secretary-Treasurer Lavoris “Mikki” Harris joined the fes- tivities, serving food to attendees. “The Fish Fry is a wonderful event that reflects the community spirit of the Omega Protein fishermen and all Local 400 members,” Federici said. “It’s a chance for old friends to get together, for new friends to be made, and for everyone to have a good time.”

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 29 Attention: Employees of Giant and Safeway 2015 Annual Scholarship Awards f you work for a company listed above, under the provisions of your employer’s Icollective bargaining agreement, you and your dependents may be eligible to apply for a scholarship from the UFCW and FELRA Scholarship Fund.

Cut and mail

PRELIMINARY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Employee’s Information

Scholarship FUND Name (Please Print)______

he Scholarship Fund expects to award scholarships Social Security Number______Tto a select number of eligible participants and their Employer ______dependents who will be enrolled in an accredited college, university, community college, vocational school, or trade Employee’s Email Address______

or technical school as a full-time student in the fall of 2015. Employee’s Home Address______Participants and their dependents are eligible to apply for a Street Number, City, State, Zip Code scholarship award if, as of December 31, 2014, the partici- Applicant’s Information pant has completed at least one uninterrupted Year of Service and is actively employed by Giant or Safeway. Name (Please Print) ______In addition, on December 31, 2014, dependent child appli- Social Security Number______cants must be under the age of 24, unmarried and a Applicant’s Home Address______dependent of the participant for federal income tax (if different from Employee’s address) Street Number, City, State, Zip Code purposes. Date of Birth (If Dependent of Employee)______Applicants who submit preliminary applications and meet E-Mail Address______the initial scholarship award requirements will be mailed a full application in early January 2015. Cut, complete and mail to: Remember: UFCW & FELRA IMPORTANT: If your dependent does not have medical Entry Deadline Is Scholarship Fund coverage through the Fund Office, please include a copy of a marriage certificate (if spouse), or birth certificate or cus- December 31, 2014. 911 Ridgebrook Road tody order (if child) with the preliminary application. Sparks, MD 21152-9451

30 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 Local 400 has Spanish Voicemail July

If Spanish is your main language, please be aware that Local 400 Fiscal Report now has Spanish voicemail. You can leave a message in Spanish, and 1 BALANCE IN CASH ACCOUNT AT BEGINNING OF MONTH 71,998 a Spanish-speaking representative will respond and answer your 2 RECEIPTS (from all sources): questions or inquiries. To reach Spanish voicemail, please call (301) DUES 1,300,766 MISCELLANEOUS 39,912 459-3400 or toll-free (800) 638-0800, extension 306. 3 TOTAL RECEIPTS 1,340,678

Local 400 tiene correo de voz en español 4 TOTAL OF LINES 1 AND 3 1,412,677

Si español es su idioma preferida, por favor tenga en cuenta 5 DISBURSEMENTS for current months 1,391,839 que ahora Local 400 tiene correo de voz en español. Puede dejar un mensaje en español, y un representante que habla español 6 CASH ACCOUNT BALANCE at the end of current month 20,837 responderá a sus preguntas o consultas. Para llamar al correo de 7 BALANCE AT END OF MONTH voz en español, por favor llame 301-459-3400 o sin cargo (800) as shown on bank statement 123,058 638-0800, extensión 306. 8 DEPOSIT IN TRANSIT

9 TOTAL OF LINES 7 AND 8 123,058

10 LESS: Checks included in item 5 not returned with bank statement 102,220

11 BALANCE (Should agree with Line 6) 20,837

12 PETTY CASH FUND 750

13 TOTAL OF ALL LOCAL UNION’S SAVINGS ACCOUNTS at the end of month 1,484,441

14 DEPRECIATED VALUE OF Real Estate, Furniture, ALL IN THE FAMILY Equipment, Automobiles, etc. 325,365 15 OTHER ACCOUNTS OR INVESTMENTS Condolences (Bond, Stocks, Credit Union, Building Funds, etc.) 579,934 Glenn Hitsley – Giant 252, Loss of son 16 LESS: LIABILITIES (other than Rent, Tyson Rohrbach – Giant 770, Utilities, Withholding Loss of grandmother and Per Capita Tax) 1,122,179

Jeff Lewis – Local 400, 17 TOTAL WORTH OF LOCAL UNION Loss of mother-in-law (Totals of lines 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 minus line 16 1,289,149

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 31 Attention: Employees of Shoppers Food 2015 Annual Scholarship Awards f you work for Shoppers Food, under the provisions of your employer’s collective Ibargaining agreement, you and your dependents may be eligible to apply for a scholarship from the UFCW and FELRA Scholarship Fund.

Cut and mail

PRELIMINARY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Employee’s Information

Scholarship FUND Name (Please Print)______

he Scholarship Fund expects to award scholarships Social Security Number______Tto a select number of eligible participants and their dependents who will be enrolled in an accredited col- Employer ______lege, university, community college, vocational school, or Employee’s Email Address______trade or technical school as a full-time student in the fall Employee’s Home Address______of 2015. Participants and their dependents are eligible Street Number, City, State, Zip Code to apply for a scholarship award if, as of December 31, Applicant’s Information 2014, the participant completes at least one uninter- rupted Year of Service and is actively employed by Name (Please Print) ______Shoppers Food. In addition, on December 31, 2014, Social Security Number______dependent child applicants must be under the age of 24, Applicant’s Home Address______unmarried and a dependent of the participant for (if different from Employee’s address) Street Number, City, State, Zip Code federal income tax purposes. Date of Birth (If Dependent of Employee)______

Applicants who submit preliminary applications and meet E-Mail Address______the initial scholarship award requirements will be mailed a Cut, complete and mail to: full application in early January 2015. Remember: UFCW & FELRA IMPORTANT: If your dependent does not have medical Entry Deadline Is Scholarship Program coverage through the Fund Office, please include a copy of December 31, 2014. 911 Ridgebrook Road a marriage certificate (if spouse), or birth certificate or cus- Sparks, MD 21152-9451 tody order (if child) with the preliminary application.

32 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 Local 400 retirees COMMODORE HOMES Donald J Martin, Fredericksburg, VA, Lloyd D Wright, Glenn Dale, MD, OF VIRGINIA 25 years 36 years

Barbara McDowell, Vernon Hill, VA, David F McRae, Springfield, VA, 29 years FRESH & GREEN 16 years Richard L Miller, Falling Waters, WV, Don C Looney, Lorton, VA, 46 years Julian Richardson, Sutherlin. VA, 38 years 24 years KAISER Kathy R Moon, Nokesville, VA, 30 years GIANT FOOD Betty B Mutter, Fredericksburg, VA, Huong T Tran, Chantilly, VA, 5 years 7 years Stephen L Arndt, Bryans Road, MD, MAGRUDER’S 33 years Dung B Nguyen, Fairfax, VA, 33 years Linda M Plummer, Wheaton, MD, Robert R Batts, Stafford, VA, 41 years Nha T Nguyen, South Riding, VA, 21 years 15 years Lawrence F Bazemore, Capitol Heights, Sharon L North, Maysville, KY, 13 years MD, 30 years SAFEWAY Lyle D Ogata, Rockville, MD, 43 years Susan C Booth, Stafford, VA, 37 years Wendell L Allen, Leesburg, VA, 32 years Marvo A Oliver, Waldorf, MD, 40 years Clifton B Bowles, Linthicum, MD, 48 years Dorothy M Farmer, Bladensburg, MD, Mary A Oliver, Mechanicsville, MD, 7 years 12 years Mai-Loan T Bui, Burke, VA, 25 years John M Page, Forestville, MD, 28 years Claire M Forsell, Alexandria, VA, Doris E Burns, Alexandria, VA, 43 years 29 years David L Penic, Paris, VA, 14 years Harvey L Butler, Fredericksburg, VA, Dana C Hall, Waldorf, MD, 38 years 42 years Saundra V Phillips, Upper Marlboro, MD, Harry L Hardy, Sterling, VA, 43 years Alice M Carter, Ft. Washington, MD, 34 years 26 years Berkeley R Reed, Sr., Manassas, VA, Carrie D Holloman, Washington, DC, 16 years Sheila V Chapman, Woodbridge, VA, 27 years 23 years Prapaisri Robinson, Arlington, VA, Carl E Jenkins, Statesville, NC, 38 years 18 years Brenda C Collins, Stafford, VA, 41 years My T Le, Falls Church, VA, 18 years Sonya S Sabath, Annapolis, MD, 33 years William E Collins, Stafford, VA, 38 years Sheila A Tate, King George, VA, 30 years James S Shiflett,Warrenton, VA, 44 years Patrick E Distefano, Centreville, VA, Tammy L Taylor, Centreville, VA, 33 years 33 years Sharon M Smith, Fredericksburg, VA, Charlotte Hall, MD, 26 years Adam A Weschler, Sr., Barbara A Goldsboro, Silver Spring, MD, 36 years 13 years Brenda L Sparacino, Lewes, DE, 42 years SHOPPERS FOOD Janet R Goldsmith, Bladensburg, MD, Vicharn Tong-Aree, Hyattsville, MD, 36 years 23 years Shirley A Archey, Annandale, VA, Carl R Hall, Gaithersburg, MD, 32 years 28 years Barbara M Waite, Laurel, MD, 33 years Stephen G Herrity, Alexandria, VA, Glenda A Kreijanovsk, Converse, TX, 40 years Jeanette L Walker, Warrenton, VA, 21 years 35 years Beverly A Kuwano, Leesburg, VA, 25 years Betty Yeung, Rockville, MD, 17 years Annette Washington, Gaithersburg, MD, Glenn B Marcum, Manassas, VA, 35 years 32 years

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 33 2014 Quarterly and Area Membership Meetings*

(Area Membership Thursday, Oct. 30 Thursday, Nov. 6 Wednesday, Nov. 26 Meetings are in Bold) Norfolk Charlottesville Roanoke Iron Workers Local Union No. 79 Holiday Inn Central Labor Council * All meetings are at 6 p.m. 5307 East Virginia Beach Blvd. 1901 Emmett Street 2101 Dale Ave. SE Norfolk, VA 23502 Charlottesville, VA 22901 Roanoke, VA 24013 (757) 461-7979 (540) 345-4561 (434) 977-7700 Wednesday, Nov. 5 Tuesday, Dec. 16 Richmond Wednesday, Nov. 12 Landover Clarion Hotel Richmond Central Charleston Local 400 Headquarters 3207 N Boulevard Holiday Inn – Civic Center 4301 Garden City Drive Richmond, VA 23230 100 Civic Center Landover, MD 20785 (804)359-9441 Charleston, WV 25301 (301) 459-3400

Have You Moved? Then Let Us Know! ¿Se ha mudado? ¡Entonces déjenos saber! Please fill in the information below. Por favor llene la información a continuación.

NAME______NOMBRE______

NEW ADDRESS______NUEVA DIRECCIÓN______

CITY______CIUDAD______

STATE______ESTADO______

ZIP______ZIP______

PHONE NO______. TELéPHONO NO.______

Company & Store No.______CompañIA y TIENDA NO.______Mail this information to: UFCW Local 400, 4301 Garden City Drive, Envíe esta información a: UFCW Local 400, 4301 Garden City Drive, Landover, Md. 20785. Landover, Md. 20785.

Local 400 Member Wins Active Ballot Club Contest

Alvin McCole, a Local 400 member who works at Peapod, recently won the Active Ballot Club (ABC) Contest, receiving a $250 gift card as a “thank you” for participating in the UFCW’s political action committee. When Alvin was pre- sented with his certificate, he looked down and then back at his Local 400 staff representative, John Lee, and said, “Wow, now I can get the iphone 6 plus, thank you so much.” The ABC makes the voices of working families heard in election campaigns, supporting pro-worker candidates and incumbents from all political parties. It is the only political action committee dedicated to advocating for and protecting the interests of UFCW members. For more information on how you can join ABC, please visit www.ufcw400.org/active-ballot-club/.

Alvin McCole (right) with his Local 400 staff representative, John Lee. Photo courtesy of John Lee.

34 UNION LEADER Fall 2014 There is Dignity in All Work

ignity is a word that has been First, what’s wrong with representing Last but not least, Kaiser managers’ going around in my head as I grocery workers? What’s wrong with rep- dismissive remarks about being “a grocery work with our Kaiser members to resenting police officers? What’s wrong workers’ union” suggests a failure to rec- D address growing problems with with representing food processing work- ognize that all work is worthy of respect. It management failing to abide by the terms of ers? What’s wrong with representing doesn’t matter whether you stock shelves, our collective bargaining agreement. chemical plant workers? These are all butcher meat, operate the cash register or In the past, Kaiser has been a model workers who deserve to be treated with sweep the floors. It doesn’t matter if you employer, one that embraced labor-manage- dignity, just like our patrol our neighbor- ment cooperation and treated our members Kaiser members. hoods, work on an with dignity. Sadly, that is changing. And our represen- For Kaiser management assembly line or sell There have been issues involving wage tation of them does cosmetics. It doesn’t theft, members working without personal not diminish our to disparage Local 400 matter if you clean protective equipment, improper vacation ability to represent is beyond the pale. toilets, dig ditches denials, and other contract violations. Kaiser health pro- or collect people’s Apparently, these wrongful actions are fessionals one iota. garbage. It doesn’t being driven by new regional management Second, we do represent many health matter if you treat our illnesses and inju- that has come in with a numbers-driven care workers at other medical facilities. ries or fill our prescriptions, there is dig- agenda of lowering costs and increasing And of course, the fact that we have rep- nity in all work. And all workers must be profits—even though Kaiser is a not-for- resented Kaiser health professionals for treated with dignity. profit company. decades makes clear we’re no “Johnny- That is exactly what Local 400 is All of this is very troubling, especially come-lately” in the health care field. about—upholding the dignity of our mem- from a company that never stooped to these Third, our members are Kaiser’s bers at Kaiser and every other employer. tactics before. But what really rubs salt patients. Because we represent the com- And that is why we will not hesitate to take in the wound is this: According to reports pany’s health professionals, we include a on any and every manager who stands in from our members, managers are going Kaiser option in most of the health benefit the way of this moral principle, articulated around telling them not to listen to their packages we negotiate in our collective bar- so beautifully by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: union; that Local 400 just represents gro- gaining agreements. So we could not be “No work is insignificant. All labor that cery workers and doesn’t know anything more deeply invested—from the perspective uplifts humanity has dignity and impor- about health care. of both workers and patients—in Kaiser’s tance.” This is wrong on so many levels, I don’t success. For management to disparage Lavoris “Mikki” Harris know where to begin. Local 400 is beyond the pale. Secretary-Treasurer

Fall 2014 UNION LEADER 35 United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage 4301 Garden City Drive PAID Landover, MD 20785 Hyattsville, MD Permit No. 4084

Change Service Requested

In addition to our website, www.ufcw400.org, you can find Local 400 on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UFCW400 Twitter: www.twitter.com/UFCW400 YouTube: www.youtube.com/ user/UFCW400 And Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/ photos/ufcw400/