Who Are the Real Patriots?

ho are the real patriots run- atinyhandfulofRepublicansquestioned to the president, but to working families. ning for office on November his statement—and all quickly apolo- Had they succeeded, we would now be 2nd? gized profusely for daring to contradict mired in a second Great Depression and W The Tea Partiers and the their de facto party leader. up to 4.1 million more Americans would Republican candidates they support claim Then, their actions spoke louder than be unemployed, according to the Congres- this word all for themselves. But when I his words. Facing the gravest financial sional Budget Office. looked up patriot in crisis since 1929, did Then, there were repeated efforts by the dictionary, I got the Republicans lift a Republican senators to block the exten- this definition: “One Let’s turn finger to rescue us from sion of unemployment benefits, denying who loves his or her the brink of depres- millions of long-term jobless Americans country and supports out in droves sion? When President money they needed just to survive. its authority and Obama sought biparti- In fact, in the first year of Obama’s interests.” san cooperation to save presidency, Senate Republicans held So what would to elect the real the economy, did they more filibusters than had occurred in the you call someone who heed his call to serve 50 years from 1919 to 1969. They bottled has said repeatedly patriots. America’s best inter- up more than 300 bills passed by the that he wants Presi- ests? House. And now, Sen. Jim DeMint (R- dent Obama to fail? What would you call No. S.C.) is threatening to prevent the Senate people who cheered when Chicago’s bid Not one Republican representative from considering any bill he doesn’t like for the 2016 Olympics was rejected in voted for the American Recovery and for the rest of the year. favor of a foreign city? Reinvestment Act. Only three Republican After two years of the most irresponsi- You’d call them Republicans. But you senators (one of whom soon switched ble behavior ever by an opposition party, wouldn’t call them patriots, because they parties) voted to end a GOP filibuster they want to be rewarded by the voters. choose hyperpartisanship and ideological blocking its consideration. Instead, let’s “reward” them by turning out purity over America’s best interests. This was not due to policy disagree- in droves to elect the real patriots—candi- “The dirty little secret,” talk show host ments. The bill included the largest middle dates who put our country first by working Rush Limbaugh said last year, “is that class tax cut in history—something to strengthen our economy, our standard of every Republican in this country wants Republicans claim they’re for. They had living, and our future. In virtually all Obama to fail, but none of them have the many opportunities to shape the bill when cases, that means voting Democrat. guts to say so; I am willing to say it.” it was being crafted and to offer alterna- Thomas P.McNutt, President Limbaugh proved his point when only tives. Instead, they just said no—not just International Vice President

2UNIONLEADERSEPT./OCT./NOV.2010 UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL WORKERS LOCAL 400 Thomas P.McNutt PRESIDENT Mark P.Federici SECRETARY-T REASURER SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2010 Sue Gonzalez RECORDER EXECUTIVE BOARD Mike Boyle FEATURES Jacqueline Bradley Terry Dixon Lisa Gillespie Re-elect Md. Gov. Martin O’Malley Nelson Graham 4 O’Malley/Brown Ticket Earns Local 400’s Recommendation Joanne Grimaldi Mikki Harris James Hepner for Senate Michele Hepner 6 Phyllis Jackson Governor Fights for Working Families Neil Jacobs James M. Jarboe Mary Laflin Guest Column by Vincent DeMarco Calvin McGuire 10 Health Care Success in Tony Perez Ken Pinkard Odis Price Kroger Workers Ratify Contract Jerry Rexroad 12 W. C h r i s t i a n S a u t e r Maintain Industry-Leading Wages, Benefits in Richmond, Carolyn Shebora Tidewater Areas Vivian Siguoin Larry Southern Linda Sykes Local 400 Voters Guide D. Rex Trabue 18 Complete List of Recommended Candidates in November 2 Election Mary Vines Russell Wise Carol Wiszynski Interview with LTC Jacqueline Bradley EDITOR 20 Thomas P. McNutt Local 400 Activist and Kaiser Nurse Practitioner Takes Command ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mark P. Federici CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER COVER STORY Bill Burke DESIGN AND LAYOUT Evans Design Member Activism Surges at Local 400 EDITORIAL CONSULTANT 16 Bruce Kozarsky Volunteers Fuel Organizing and Community Outreach Campaigns The Union Leader is published by the United Food & Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 400. Office of Publication: Kelly Press Inc., 1701 Cabin Branch Rd., Landover, Md. 20785. Editorial Office: Metro 400 Building, 4301 Garden City Dr., Landover, Md. 20785. ALSO INSIDE Main Office: (800) 638-0800. Subscriptions to mem- bers only. WEB SITES: 14 Faces of Local 400 32 All in the Family www.ufcw400.org 22 Stewards Spotlight 34 Local 400 Retirees

32 Financial Report

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 3 •LOCAL400POLITICS&LEGISLATIVEWATCH•LOCAL400POLITICS& Re-elect Governor Martin O’Malley O’Malley/Brown Ticket Earns Local 400’s Enthusiastic Recommendation Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Lt. expand our rights and protections, secure independent contractors, leaving Gov. Anthony Brown (D) have earned our jobs and improve our quality of life. workers unprotected from abusive prac- Local 400’s enthusiastic recommendation “The O’Malley record is great by any tices. for their re-election because they have standard, but it’s even better compared to Ⅲ Increasing the state Earned Income consistently fought for and won major the four years Marylanders suffered under Tax Credit by 25 percent, generating improvements in the lives of the state’s Bob Ehrlich,” McNutt said. “I don’t know more than $190 million in tax relief working families. why anyone would want to go back to all to 363,791 Maryland taxpayers and Facing a closely-contested campaign the big business giveaways, skyrocketing helping to lift many working families against ex-Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R), utility and college tuition rates, and the out of poverty. O’Malley has reversed his predecessor’s loss of health insurance coverage for Ⅲ Fighting to protect homeowners from anti-worker, pro-big business policies. Marylanders that defined life under Bob foreclosures by signing what The O’Malley made Maryland the first state in Ehrlich. With O’Malley at the helm, we’re Washington Post called “among the the country to guarantee a living wage to making real progress in the very difficult most sweeping [reforms] in the coun- the employees of all state contractors and environment of the recession. We need to try.” These include enacting mandato- recently signed a law strongly backed by keep moving forward, not go backward.” ry foreclosure mediation legislation Local 400 requiring retail employers to After spending his first year cleaning and requiring big banks to empower provide shift breaks to their workers. up the Ehrlich administration’s messes, Maryland families and provide home- O’Malley has fought back hard against including the $1.7 billion deficit left by the owners with the information and the recession with strong economic lead- outgoing governor, O’Malley has fought support they need to avoid foreclosure. ership that has paid dividends for work- hard to make state government work for Ⅲ Leading the fight to pass landmark ers: Maryland’s unemployment rate is 25 working families. In addition to the shift legislation extending health coverage percent below the national average, the break and living wage laws, O’Malley’s to more than 204,000 previously unin- state has retained jobs better than all but many achievements in improving Mary- sured Marylanders, including 100,000 four states, and 40,000 new jobs have landers’ lives include: children. been created in Maryland since January. Ⅲ Signing the Job Creation and Recovery Ⅲ Making record investments in “Maryland’s working families have no Tax Credit, giving any business that better champion than Governor Maryland’s public schools for four hires an unemployed Marylander a tax consecutive years, leading to improve- O’Malley,” said Local 400 President Tom credit of $5,000. McNutt. “He has taken a series of bold ments in learning and student perform- Ⅲ Enacting legislation extending steps to raise our economic standing, ance that gave the state’s public unemployment benefits to Maryland’s education system the number one 420,000 part-time workers if they Maryland ranking two years in a row by Gov. Martin experience temporary job loss. Education Week and made the state a O’Malley (left) Ⅲ Stabilizing the Unemployment winner in President Obama's “Race to with Local 400 Insurance Trust Fund and reliev- the Top” education grant initiative. President Tom McNutt ing pressure on small businesses Ⅲ Increasing funding for higher educa- facing higher premiums due tion, enabling Maryland’s public col- to a law signed by leges and universities to freeze tuition Ehrlich in 2005. for four consecutive years after it sky- Ⅲ Cracking down rocketed by more than 40 percent dur- on employers ing the Ehrlich years. that fraudulently Ⅲ Appointing pro-consumer members to misclassify their the Public Utilities Commission who employees as (Continued on page 30)

4UNIONLEADERSEPT./OCT./NOV.2010 LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • L

O’MALLEY-EHRLICH: MOVING FORWARD VS. GOING BACKWARD Issue Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) Ex-Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R)

Jobs Fought to create jobs by providing employers a Vetoed multiple bills to protect Maryland jobs from foreign $5,000 tax credit for every Marylander taken off outsourcing. Since leaving office in 2007, Ehrlich has the unemployment rolls. Under his leadership, worked at a law firm that advertises its services helping Maryland ranks in the top five states for retaining employers outsource jobs. jobs and unemployment is almost 25 percent below the national average.

Workers’ rights Signed legislation requiring retail employers to pro- Vetoed the Fair Share Health Care Act requiring large vide shift breaks to their workers. Cracked down on employers to provide health benefits to their workers just employers who fraudulently misclassify workers as months after Walmart held a $1,000/head fundraiser for independent contractors. his campaign. Always sided with employers over workers.

Standard Made Maryland the first state in the country to require Vetoed a state minimum wage increase, which was over- of Living state contractors to pay their workers a living wage. ridden by the General Assembly.

Public Schools Provided record funding for education all four years Refused to sign legislation enacting the Thornton Commis- in office, helping Maryland schools gain Education sion plan and refused to fund the Geographic Cost of Week’s top ranking two years in a row, and be a Education Index, perpetuating disparities between rich winner in the president’s “Race to the Top” educa- and poor districts. tion initiative.

Health care Signed legislation expanding health coverage to Did nothing while the number of uninsured Marylanders 204,000 Marylanders who would otherwise be skyrocketed. Tried to cut health care for 4,000 pregnant uninsured, including 100,000 children. Prohibited women and cut payments to nursing homes by $42 mil- health insurance carriers from increasing individual lion. Has said he plans to drastically scale back Medicaid premiums more than once a year. eligibility and reject federal dollars earmarked for Marylanders’ health care.

Unemployment Made unemployment benefits available to part-time Made part-time workers pay into an unemployment Benefits workers who are laid off. Stabilized the Unemployment insurance system that denied them benefits. Raised unem- Insurance Trust Fund. ployment insurance premiums for small businesses.

Fiscal Became the first governor to ensure that all four of his Left office with a $1.7 billion deficit that Gov. O’Malley Responsibility budgets were below the Spending Affordability Limit, had to clean up. Increased the state’s regressive property making Maryland one of only eight states to retain a taxes by 58 percent. AAA bond rating.

Higher Helped make college more affordable by freezing Slashed the higher education budget, causing tuition Education tuition at Maryland’s public colleges and universities increases of more than 40 percent at the University of four years in a row. Maryland and other campuses.

Utility Rates Appointed pro-consumer public utility commissioners Appointed pro-industry public utility Commissioners who who secured more than $2 billion in relief for rate- raised rates by a record 72 percent after pocketing $27,000 payers, with another $1.6 billion in savings expected in campaign contributions from BG&E before taking office. through 2013.

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 5 •LOCAL400POLITICS&LEGISLATIVEWATCH•LOCAL400POLITICS& Joe Manchin for Senate In the race to fill the remainder of the “Joe Manchin is a friend of Local 400, to give Joe Manchin our enthusiastic rec- late Robert Byrd’s term representing West afighterforourmembers,andaleader ommendation for the Senate, and why we Virginia in the U.S. Senate, there is one who works tirelessly to improve the eco- urge our members to get involved in the clear choice: Gov. Joe Manchin III (D). nomic standing of West Virginians,” said campaign.” In six years as governor, Manchin has Local 400 President Tom McNutt. “He is Manchin’s achievements as governor created good jobs, raised the minimum exactly the kind of principled, progressive include: wage, expanded health care coverage, elected official we need in the Senate. Ⅲ Helping to create good jobs by encour- strengthened worker safety, cut taxes on “What we don’t need is an out-of- aging more than 240 companies to the middle class and been a consistent touch extremist like John Raese who expand or relocate in the state and by champion of West Virginia’s working tells he’s a permanent resident assisting in the generation of $13 bil- families. By contrast, his opponent in the of that state so he can get a property tax lion in new private investments. November 2nd general election, million- break on his Palm Beach mansion, while Ⅲ Raising the West Virginia minimum aire Republican businessman John telling the people of West Virginia he wage by 53 percent over two years. Raese, is an anti-worker extremist who deserves to represent them,” McNutt Ⅲ Increasing health care coverage for wants to end the minimum wage and charged. “And for someone of his wealth West Virginians by expanding the State opposes all public funding and federal to argue against the very existence of Children's Health Insurance Program involvement in education. the minimum wage shows he has no clue and creating affordable health plans what life is like for working Local 400 Presi- for the uninsured. dent Tom McNutt families. (left) with West “Fortunately, Joe Manchin Ⅲ Cutting the food tax by half, from six Virginia Gov. is someone who has never for- percent to three percent. and Senate candidate Joe gotten where he came from, Ⅲ Fighting for and signing historic mine Manchin (D). never forgotten the people he safety legislation. represents, and never As senator, Manchin pledges to be a forgotten what strong advocate for West Virginia and its he stands for,” people, to work vigorously to get people McNutt said. back to work and get our economy mov- “That’s why ing again, and to ensure that government we’re proud works responsively. Congressman Tom Perriello: Profile in Courage After his narrow upset victory over extremist That’s why Local 400 enthusiastically recom- Rep. Virgil Goode (R) two years ago, Congressman mends Perriello’s re-election in Virginia’s fifth con- Tom Perriello (D) could have ducked the tough gressional district, which extends from issues and curried favor with big business at the Charlottesville to Danville. expense of working families. But unlike so many “If every Democrat from a swing district had other politicians, Perriello didn’t run to advance the same principles, conviction and bravery as his political career—he did it to make a differ- Tom Perriello, working families would have won ence. And so on issue after issue, he has fought more victories and our economy would be in bet- fiercely for Virginia’s struggling working families, Congressman ter shape,” said Local 400 President Tom McNutt. proving himself a profile in courage. Tom Perriello (D) “His constituents were suffering from outsourcing

6UNIONLEADERSEPT./OCT./NOV.2010 LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • L Congressman Gerry Connolly: Northern Virginia’s Advocate Finishing his first term in Congress Republican opponent who want to priva- Local 400 President after serving as chairman of the Fairfax Tom McNutt (left) tize the system, shifting money away County Board of Supervisors, Rep. Gerry and Rep. Gerry from guaranteed benefits and into the Connolly (D) has proven himself to be a Connolly (D-Va.) stock market casino. consistent supporter of working families, Another priority for Connolly is assist- an effective advocate for Northern ing veterans. He introduced and passed Virginia, and a worthy recipient of Local legislation protecting service members 400’s recommendation for his re-election. from cell phone and housing lease early Serving the voters of Virginia’s 11th termination charges when they are district, which includes much of Fairfax deployed. He also co-sponsored a bill to and Prince William Counties, Connolly limit increases in TRICARE premiums, was elected president of the freshman provide disability compensation for post- class by his colleagues, and he has pro- traumatic stress disorder, and support duced results for consumers, workers, family caregivers. commuters, senior citizens and veterans crack down on credit card company rip- In addition, Connolly has focused on time after time. offs, holding big banks receiving TARP easing Northern Virginia’s transporta- “Gerry Connolly gets things done,” said bailout funds accountable, curbing preda- tion burdens, securing federal funding to Local 400 President Tom McNutt. “He tory mortgage lending practices, and bring Metro to Dulles Airport, complete stands up against the big banks to deliver enacting needed Wall Street reforms. He the Fairfax County Parkway project and protections for consumers and he stands voted for health insurance reform to widen the Prince William Parkway. up against the for-profit insurance indus- lower costs, improve the quality of care “Control of the U.S. House is up for try to expand affordable health care cover- and end insurance company abuses. And grabs and this will be a pivotal race,” age to tens of millions of Americans. Now he co-sponsored the Employee Free McNutt said. “Northern Virginia has a he’s in a tough fight for re-election, and Choice Act. congressman who fights for working our members are standing up for him.” Connolly has forcefully defended families in Gerry Connolly and if we re- Connolly’s strong pro-consumer, pro- Social Security from attacks led by sup- elect him, chances are we’ll have an working family record includes voting to porters and allies of his extremist entire Congress that does the same.”

and plant closings even before the recession hit, and he has Danville, $6.3 million for repairs to 17 bridges and culverts in been battling to bring back good jobs and stop the corporate Nelson County, $6.8 million for repaving major roads in the greed and abuses that have hurt so many Virginia workers. Charlottesville area, and $5.5 million towards three bridge proj- “Perriello consistently does the right thing for working fami- ects in Pittsylvania County. lies, and our members are mobilizing to do the right thing by Notably, Perriello fought to include “Buy American” provi- working for his re-election,” McNutt said. sions in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and has Perriello has worked tirelessly to spearhead an economic consistently urged a new direction on trade to support good revival that creates good jobs with living wages. He voted for paying manufacturing jobs at home. By contrast, his Republican the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which included opponent favors giving generous tax breaks to companies that the largest middle-class tax cut in history and made urgently- ship jobs overseas, and was one of only nine state senators to needed, job-creating investments in schools, highways, and law vote against providing extended benefits for job training pro- enforcement. He made sure residents of his district benefited, grams for Virginia’s unemployed. obtaining $29.8 million for the Robertson Bridge project in (Continued on page 32)

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 7 •LOCAL400POLITICS&LEGISLATIVEWATCH•LOCAL400POLITICS& BigVictories forLocal400Members in D.C., Md. Primaries Local 400 members won big victories the District of Columbia on behalf of an improving access to affordable, quality in the September 14th primaries as agenda to bring good jobs with good health care. Vincent Gray defeated Adrian Fenty in wages and benefits to all the neighbor- Ⅲ In the 24th state Senate district in the race for mayor of the District of hoods of Washington, D.C. Prince George’s County, Del. Joanne Columbia and Rushern Baker easily In Prince George’s County, Baker simi- Benson handily defeated the incum- overcame four opponents in the contest larly represents a break from an adminis- bent, Nathaniel Exum, for the Demo- for Prince George’s County executive. tration that rewarded big developers at cratic nomination. Over 18 years in the Both candidates were strongly recom- the expense of ordinary citizens and was House, Benson has been a strong mended by Local 400 because of their plagued by allegations of cronyism. Baker supporter of the Fair Share Health record of advocacy for working families is a uniter who will pull together labor, Care bill, she helped enact the shift and their commitment to creating good responsible businesses and community break law, and she also helped pass jobs that raise living standards. In win- groups to advance development that bene- legislation cracking down on meritless ning the Democratic nomination, Gray fits Prince George’s County residents. corporate lawsuits designed to stifle and Baker are expected to prevail in the Local 400 members won many other the free speech rights of workers. big victories in highly-competitive November 2nd general election. Ⅲ In the 47th state Senate district in primary races. They include: “We are creating a new culture of Prince George’s County, Del. Victor activism at Local 400, and the primary Ⅲ In the 14th state Senate district in Ramirez easily toppled Sen. David elections showed how much we are Montgomery County, Del. Karen Harrington to win the Democratic already making a difference,” said Local Montgomery edged the incumbent, nomination. In his eight years as 400 President Tom McNutt. “Our members Rona Kramer, by approximately 100 adelegate,Ramirezwasthelead walked door to door, made calls, got peo- votes for the Democratic nomination. sponsor of legislation toughening ple out to vote, and played a central role Kramer had voted against Local 400 enforcement of the statewide mini- in the victories of Vincent Gray, Rushern members by opposing the Fair Share mum wage law. He also enacted a law Baker and many other strong allies. Health Care Act that would have that will help Marylanders in bank- “Elections matter,” McNutt said. required all large employers to provide ruptcy proceedings keep their homes, “Helping to place leaders who fight for health coverage to their employees and and co-sponsored a bill creating a working families in key offices and hold- the Healthy Retail Worker Act requir- $5,000 tax credit for companies that ing them accountable is how we win vital ing retail employers to provide shift hire unemployed individuals in policy changes that improve the lives of breaks for their workers. By contrast, Maryland. our members and all working families. Montgomery is consistently on the “Now, it’s up to us to show the same side of Maryland’s working families. activist spirit and devote the same hard Ⅲ In the 19th state Senate district in work for our recommended candidates in Montgomery County, Del. Roger the general election,” McNutt said. Manno ousted Sen. Mike Lenett for the In Washington, D.C., the entire labor Democratic nomination. Manno has movement propelled Gray, currently been a champion of Local 400 chairman of the City Council, past an members for many incumbent who had spent the past four years. He was a spon- years treating government workers and sor of the Healthy their unions with contempt. By contrast, Retail Worker Act Gray will bring an inclusive approach to and a longtime Local 400 President Tom the mayor’s office, one focused on uniting leader on McNutt (left) and the Democratic nominee for mayor of the District of 8UNIONLEADERSEPT./OCT./NOV.2010 Columbia, Vincent Gray. LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • L Pivotal Races in Kentucky and Ohio Conway, Fisher and Strickland Strongly Recommended Control of the U.S. Senate and other extreme candidates to ever run for deep dedication to creating good jobs and key offices is at stake in the November statewide office. He has called Social raising living standards. He wants to end elections, with Kentucky and Ohio playing Security a “Ponzi Scheme” and wants to tax breaks for companies that move jobs apivotalrole.Inbothstates’Senateraces privatize it, a move that would reduce offshore, support companies that expand and the Ohio governor’s contest, Local senior citizens’ guaranteed benefits and hiring at home and give workers the help 400 members have crystal clear choices put their funds at the mercy of the stock they need. between leaders who fight for working market casino. Paul recently said that sen- His opponent, Rob Portman (R), failed families and politicians who ior citizens should “bear more in two key jobs in George W. Bush’s are beholden to the forces of of the burden” of Medicare administration. Under Portman’s direction wealth and greed. costs. He even opposes parts as head of the Office of Management & of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Budget, the government ran up massive Kentucky: Jack “Jack Conway is a fighter deficits. Previously, he served as U.S. trade Conway for Senate who will always be in our cor- representative, where he negotiated job- In the campaign to succeed ner and we are proud to rec- destroying trade deals and worsened retiring Sen. Jim Bunning (R- ommend him for the U.S. trade deficits. Both then and now, he Ky.), Democrats nominated a Senate,” said Local 400 defends tax breaks for companies that crusading attorney general President Tom McNutt. “His ship jobs overseas. with a record of standing up to Kentucky opponent is a radical whose “The last thing Ohioans need is a the special interests and shak- Attorney General policy ideas are completely out- return to George W. Bush’s policies, but ing up business as usual. Jack Jack Conway side the mainstream. Rand Paul that’s exactly what Rob Portman will try Conway puts Kentucky families first and only cares about letting corporations do to do if he’s elected to the Senate,” is a fierce advocate for taxpayers, recently what they want free from regulations that McNutt said. “Instead, we need Lee uncovering tens of millions of dollars in protect workers and con- Fisher because he will put good Medicaid fraud. sumers, and free from jobs first.” Conway will focus on creating good unions. If he ever got his jobs in the Senate. He proposes a tax way, today’s economy would Ohio: Re-elect credit for responsible businesses that cre- look like good times com- Gov. Ted Strickland ate jobs at home. He will also fight to pared to the collapse in mid- Since his election four years hold Wall Street and big business dle class living standards he ago, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) accountable for their actions. He doesn’t would cause.” has compiled a remarkable believe in “one set of rules for record of achievement for the giant corporations and anoth- Ohio: state’s working families, despite er set of rules for the rest of Lee Fisher Ohio Gov. the harsh impact of the national us.” for Senate Ted Strickland recession. He signed a $1.57 bil- In addition, Conway With Sen. George Voinovich lion dollar stimulus package aimed at cre- strongly opposes privatizing (R-Ohio) retiring, the race for his ating tens of thousands of new jobs in Social Security and he sup- seat is wide open. Local 400 rebuilding Ohio communities, producing ported the expansion of recommends Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher advanced energy and spurring life-saving Medicare that will give (D), a longtime champion of medical research. He greatly expanded 51,900 Kentucky senior citi- Ohio’s middle class. “I am a Ohioans’ collective bargaining rights. He zens with high prescription Ohio Lt. Gov. strong proponent of unions,” also signed legislation guaranteeing drug costs a $250 rebate. Lee Fisher Fisher says, and he has always health care access for all Ohio children. By contrast, Conway’s Republican supported collective bargaining and work- Strickland’s Republican challenger, opponent, Rand Paul, is one of the most ers’ rights. Fisher will bring to the Senate a (Continued on page 30)

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 9 •LOCAL400POLITICS&LEGISLATIVEWATCH•LOCAL400POLITICS& Health Care Success In Maryland Guest Column by Vincent DeMarco President, Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative

Since January of 2007, under the of young Marylanders insured. The leadership of Gov. Martin O’Malley federal law improves this further by and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, increasing the age to 26 and remov- Maryland has made tremendous ing the requirement that they be progress in improving public health dependents. and making health care more acces- In 2008, a bill introduced by sible and affordable. We have House Health Committee Chair Peter expanded health care coverage to Hammen (D-46) closed the notori- more than 200,000 parents, children ous Medicare prescription drug and senior citizens, and our state has “donut hole” for more than 23,000 shot up from 44th to 16th in the Maryland seniors, enabling them to nation in health care coverage for afford the drugs they need. Now, lower-income adults. federal health reform will gradually The O’Malley-Brown Admin- phase out the “donut hole” for all istration and the Maryland seniors. General Assembly achieved these Finally, the O’Malley/Brown breakthroughs with smart, fiscally Administration, including Secretary sound policies that work, and that have been replicated and of Health and Mental Hygiene John Colmers, has focused tena- taken nationwide by the historic federal health care reform ciously on improving children’s health. They strengthened den- law enacted this year by President Obama and the U.S. tal benefits under the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Congress. This success was made possible by our broad- Plan (CHIP) programs so we never repeat the tragedy of a few based grassroots coalition that includes over 1,200 labor, years ago when a young Prince George’s County boy died faith, community, health care, and business groups from because he did not get adequate dental care. In addition, the across Maryland—and in which UFCW Local 400 has always administration reached out to and enrolled nearly 100,000 chil- played a critical role. dren who were eligible for Medicaid or CHIP benefits but had Most importantly, the governor and General Assembly enact- not yet joined. ed the landmark Working Families and Small Business Health Now, with federal health care reform enacted, Lt. Gov. Brown Care Coverage Act of 2007, which expanded health care cover- and Secretary Colmers are co-chairing the Governor’s Health age to more than 65,000 uninsured adults and provided grants Care Reform Coordinating Council to ensure swift, effective to help hundreds of small businesses afford health care for their implementation of the new law in Maryland that builds on our employees. This was funded by a life-saving one dollar increase previous successes and makes quality health care affordable for in the state tobacco tax, savings from a reduction in uncompen- all in our state. We encourage readers to visit their website to sated hospital costs, and federal matching dollars. The new fed- join in this process, www.healthreform.maryland.gov. Please eral health care reform builds on this platform by providing tax also check out the Maryland Health Care For All! website at credits right away to small businesses to help them provide www.healthcareforall.com to help advocate for these goals. employee health benefits and by expanding health care cover- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us that, “Of all the forms age to over 32 million Americans, including hundreds of thou- of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and sands of Marylanders, in 2014. inhumane.” If Dr. King were alive today, I imagine he would be In 2007, Maryland also enacted legislation sponsored by Del. pleased with what we have accomplished over the past few (D-20) that allowed dependents up to age 25 years in Maryland, but he would also tell us to “Finish the job to stay on their parents’ health care plans, keeping thousands and achieve health care for all!” Together we can do it!

10 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • L Voters Support Labor’s Agenda, PollFinds Voters Want Policies that Create Jobs with Good Wages and Benefits While the conventional wisdom holds years ago—policies that would continue Hansen wrote in an opinion piece pub- that voter anger over the economy and to deny workers their fundamental rights lished on HuffingtonPost.com, “At some record unemployment will translate into and drive down their standard of living,” point, we may see the restoration of high- big electoral victories for right-wing McNutt said. “Not one Tea Party leader or paying manufacturing jobs, but in order to extremist candidates on November 2nd, a candidate has said he or she sees anything make jobs better for Americans now, we recent poll commissioned by the UFCW wrong with a Walmart economy in which must look to the retail industry where International Union finds that most workers earn sub-poverty wages and get immediate job growth will occur. A recent Americans support labor’s agenda of cre- no benefits. In fact, they want to repeal Department of Labor study confirms that ating good jobs with living wages and health care reform, which would deny the service sector will see the greatest job quality benefits. health care coverage to more than 30 mil- growth in the next decade. That means Conducted by Lake Research, the lion people by 2014. They jobs for cashiers, clerks, national poll found that: oppose living wage laws. and salespeople, among Ⅲ Nearly nine in ten voters agree that They’re against giving “The American other service-sector posi- economic development should result in workers a free and fair people want our tions.… jobs with good wages and benefits that choice about whether to “If retail jobs are can support a family. join a union—the number going to be a crucial part one way to raise wages agenda, not the of America's future, then Ⅲ Eighty-four percent of voters agree that and benefits. And they retail jobs need to be the economic recovery means creating jobs Tea Party’s.” want to privatize—or kind of jobs that support with good benefits so people can afford even phase out—Social —Local400President American families and to take care of their families, not low Security and Medicare, Tom McNutt communities,” Hansen wage jobs with no benefits. which would throw mil- wrote. “They must be the Ⅲ Eighty-four percent of voters favor lions of senior citizens into poverty, too. kind of jobs that Americans can be proud requiring that government contracts go “The American people want our agen- to work at—the kind that give more of us to companies that provide good paying da, not the Tea Party’s,” McNutt said. “But ashotattheAmericanDream.” jobs and benefits so that their employ- it’s up to us to get out there and make this That’s why the more success the ees don’t end up on welfare programs case before election day, so that the under- UFCW has helping retail workers gain like Medicaid and food stamps. standable anger voters feel doesn’t trans- union representation, the more our econo- “The middle class is shrinking, the late into a result that makes life worse for my will create the good-paying, high-bene- American dream is vanishing for many, working families.” fit jobs the American people want. and good-quality job creation is the only The poll results emphasize the impor- “I can’t emphasize strongly enough way to undo the economic damage of the tance the UFCW must play in addressing how important it is that our members past decade,” said Local 400 President voters’ needs and helping to revive the become activists and spread the message Tom McNutt. “What voters need to under- economy. That’s because the manufactur- to their co-workers, neighbors and friends stand is that this is what our agenda is all ing jobs that have often been the ticket to that unions have the solutions to our eco- about. This is what Local 400 and the can- the middle class for working families are nomic troubles,” McNutt said. “That’s true didates we recommend are fighting for. not likely to come back in large numbers of our efforts to make our voices heard in “By contrast, the Tea Party extremists anytime soon, but the retail sector can fill the upcoming elections, and it’s true of our want to return to the same policies that this void. efforts to reach out to unorganized workers nearly drove our economy off a cliff two As UFCW International President Joe about the benefits of union representation.”

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 11 Approximately 3,000 Kroger workers now have the potential to receive hourly pay increases twice a year, their comprehensive health coverage is maintained and improved, while employer pension contribu- tions are increasing to protect their bene- fits and retirement security. The negotiations, while not contentious, were protracted and difficult, due largely to the challenges of adjusting the health benefits plan to comply with the new federal health care reform law and ensuring that the pen- sion plan is fiscally sound in the aftermath Local 400 members of the 2008 stock market collapse. working at Kroger The contract was approved by a five-to- vote on their collec- one margin and its terms proved so popular tive bargaining agree- ment at the Richmond that within one week of ratification, 75 ratification meeting. Kroger workers became members of Local 400. “In the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression and facing Kroger Richmond- aggressive competition from non-union chains, our members at Kroger were able to sustain their standard of living and strengthen their health and retirement Tidewater Workers security,” said Local 400 President Tom McNutt. “This is an impressive achieve- ment by any measure. It’s testimony to their Ratify New Contract Solidarity and activism, and to Kroger’s recognition that our members are the most Maintains Industry-Leading Wages and Benefits productive workers in the industry. “This shows that at a time when the Local 400 members working at Kroger in the Richmond and Tidewater areas middle class is shrinking and wages are overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement on declining for many working families, hav- ing union representation is the one sure September 8, maintaining their industry-leading wages and benefits way to keep the American dream alive,” and setting the stage for an aggressive effort to McNutt said. increase the union market share of “Clearly, many Kroger workers who had the retail food sector in not previously joined Local 400 now recog- nize this,” McNutt said. “This contract Virginia. makes clear to them that being a union member is the best investment anyone can Local 400 President Tom McNutt explains the new make, one that pays off in financial, health collective bargain- and retirement security unavailable to the ing agreement 93 percent of private sector workers who covering Kroger’s are unorganized. That’s why the number of Richmond and new Local 400 members has skyrocketed Tidewater workers. since the agreement was ratified. “I’m equally pleased that Kroger appears committed to taking on the non-

12 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 union Ahold/Martin’s, Farm Fresh, Food Lion and Walmart chains,” McNutt said. “Our member activists are playing an indispensable role in speaking with our competitors’ workers about the benefits of union membership and in spreading the message throughout their communi- ties that the best way to revive the econ- omy and improve our quality of life is to shop union.” Local 400 members working Key provisions of the contract at Kroger listen as their new include: contract is discussed at the Ⅲ Wages: Employees earning under Richmond ratification meeting. the maximum hourly wage will receive annual pay increases each illness or injury. By calculating October. All employees, including those hours on a rolling six-month already at the cap, are eligible for basis, this problem should be Personal Performance/Rate Review eliminated. As a further im- increases each April. As a result, many provement, any full-time worker Local 400 members will receive two falling below the minimum wage increases a year providing the hours over the course of six opportunity to significantly boost their months may elect the health care standard of living. In addition, special benefits provided to part-time provisions were put in place to ensure workers and will not lose cover- that workers did not lose ground during age entirely. Moreover, Kroger the six-month period between the expira- efforts to move bargaining unit largest supermarket in the Richmond tion of the last contract and the ratifica- employees out of their current health & area. The store, which is providing jobs tion of the new agreement with a lump welfare plan and into management’s— to 300 workers, includes a bistro dining sum wage distribution to all workers. which would have resulted in fewer ben- area where customers can sit down to Ⅲ Health care: An enormous amount of efits—were defeated by Local 400. eat their meals, a wine department that time was spent in bargaining adjusting Ⅲ Pension plan: Employer contributions sells wine by the glass, providing a safe Kroger employees’ health coverage to will increase by up to 67 percent, from environment for social networking in the ensure compliance with the new health 12 cents per eligible hour to a maxi- store, and expansive natural foods, meat care reform law. The lifetime maximum mum of 20 cents per hour. This is what and seafood sections. on benefits was eliminated and, most was needed to maintain the retirement In a market that includes aggressive significantly, the company agreed that if security of Kroger members. non-union competitors such as Walmart, the changes result in lower costs, mem- With a new wage and benefit structure Food Lion, Ahold/Martin’s and Farm bers will share in the savings. In addi- in place that maintains the high produc- Fresh, Kroger is establishing a growing tion, a key contract provision was tivity of Kroger’s union workforce and union beachhead, powered by the hard changed to calculate benefits eligibility enhances corporate profitability, the com- work of Local 400 members. based on six months of hours, rather pany is poised to continue expanding its “The key to our members’ futures is than the three-month timeframe in the share of the highly competitive Virginia expanding market share,” McNutt said. old agreement. Previously, if an employ- market. Kroger is currently in the midst of “We are now in a position to accelerate ee’s hours in any rolling three month investing $81 million in the Richmond these efforts even further, with our grow- period fell below the minimum, he or market to renovate stores, build two new ing volunteer army of member activists she could lose health care coverage ones and open fuel stations. leading the way.” entirely—something that ironically Of note, Kroger recently opened a —————— could have happened to someone who nearly 90,000-square foot store in To see a video of the Kroger ratification had to miss a lot of work due to serious Western Henrico County that is the meeting, go to http://vimeo.com/ufcw400.

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 13 Allen Shanholtz Meat Manager Giant #152 Colesville, Md.

Maria Cisneros Bakery Clerk Shoppers #2366 College Park, Md.

Phil Dickerson First Cutter Safeway #1395 Washington, D.C.

14 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 Sikha Bhar Med Tech Kaiser Regional Laboratory Springfield, Va.

Paul Davis Meat Shop Kroger #778 Charleston, W.Va.

Rachel Oliver Chanel Macy's #33 Bethesda, Md.

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 15 DOMINIC MCGEE Dominic McGee is just one of Local 400’s many member activists. A shop steward at Kroger #520 in Chester, Va., MEMBER he somehow manages to juggle work at the store as assistant drug and general merchandise manager while attending graduate school at Virginia State University pursuing a counselor of educa- tion degree, serving as a musician and junior deacon at his church, and volun- ACTIVISM teering countless hours for the union. “I don’t want to see any of my co- workers taken advantage of—I refuse to let that happen,” McGee said, in explain- SURGES AT ing why he became a steward. “I felt I could bring change and I could help. This made me realize how beneficial our union is and how much unions are needed in today’s labor force.” LOCAL 400 Local 400 Volunteers Fuel Organizing and Community Steward and activist Dominic McGee at a Outreach Campaigns in Virginia, Washington, D.C. recent stewards seminar ArapidlygrowingnumberofLocal400membersarevolunteering in Williamsburg their time as activists to increase the union’s membership and strength, reach out to the community, help elect candidates who will fight for us, and improve the lives of their brothers and sisters. This revitalized member activism is away from Kroger, even though Ahold the key to Local 400’s strategy to expand also owns Giant/Landover and Much of McGee’s boundless energy is the union’s market share of the retail Supervalu owns Shoppers Food & focused on signing up members at his food and other core industries in the Pharmacy. These corporations’ double- store. “I tell people they should join region. That’s because the more workers breasting is a clear and present danger because the union gives you job security, who are union members, the greater to our membership. The way to combat it protection, benefits, health and safety, Local 400’s clout is at the bargaining and increase our strength is through and the knowledge that someone has table to win better wages, benefits and activism—because no one is more per- your back 100 percent of the time,” he working conditions. suasive about the benefits of the union said. “I explain how valuable the union is “Local 400 must grow because every- than a Local 400 member. to Kroger. I also bring up the fact that where we look, we are being challenged “That’s why I am thrilled that so many Kroger in the Richmond area has the best by non-union operations, some of them members are getting involved in their full-time to part-time ratio of any chain divisions of mega-companies that also union and helping us form a vibrant, and the reason why is because we are a employ our members,” said Local 400 powerful volunteer army,” McNutt said. great union shop.” President Tom McNutt. “In Virginia, “It’s our members who make Local 400 McGee is nothing if not persuasive— Ahold’s Martin’s chain and Supervalu’s great. The more active they are, the more he increased Local 400’s membership in Farm Fresh chain are desperately trying we unleash our potential to raise every- his store by more than 30 percent over to stay non-union and take business one’s economic standing.” the past 14 months!

16 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 McGee and 20 other Kroger member Local 400 road you. You and management are on activists also participated in a Local Steward alevelfield.You’retheonewhomakes 400 outreach program for workers at and activist the business the way it is. If it wasn’t Farm Fresh and Ahold/Martin’s stores, Peggy Billie for you as an employee, they wouldn’t where Local 400 members talked with have their job either.” workers to explain how they can improve their lives by choosing union LOLA WHITFIELD representation. These efforts are espe- Lola Whitfield knows first-hand cially timely because Ahold/Martin’s why Local 400 must grow and expand acquired the family-owned Ukrop’s its market share. The Virginia Beach chain earlier this year. resident originally worked for a non- “Many of the Martin’s workers I’ve union chain, Hannaford, and then saw spoken with say that things have the difference it made when Kroger changed for the worse,” McGee said. purchased her store in 2000 and she “People who’ve been there for 25 or 30 ceeded. Today, management is required to became a Local 400 member. years had their hours cut. Others were let provide breaks to fuel center employees, “The union is the greatest thing ever in go. Benefits have changed. The full- and they are now eligible to transfer inside this area and I’m its biggest fan,” time/part-time ratio has gotten worse. the store after one year on the job. Whitfield said. “It means that I can stand They’re not happy with the way new Like other Local 400 stewards in up for myself and I can stand up for my management treats them. Many realize Virginia, Billie works hard to sign up fellow associates. I’m not afraid to stand they would benefit with a union, because members, and reports great success talk- up to management, and management today, the company can do whatever it ing with new hires at their training cen- knows they can no longer walk all over us. wants at the expense of employees. But ters before they are placed in a store. She “That’s why I try to get people to some of them fear that their job would be also notes that even those employees who understand that all the grocery stores in at stake if management ever saw them don’t join right away usually become the area need to become union, so every- talking with us.” members as soon as they see co-workers one can have good wages and benefits McGee said he is going to keep plugging have an issue with management. and job security,” Whitfield said. away and answering the call whenever Billie has participated in Farm Fresh Astewardforthelastsixyears, there is an organizing outreach program, a and Martin’s outreach programs, and Whitfield has been a leader in efforts to candlelight vigil, a rally, a campaign to joined Local 400 at various political help Farm Fresh workers organize. “A lot help or anything else that needs to be done. events and rallies, including the October of people are interested but many are 2nd One Nation Working Together march afraid,” she said. “Management warned PEGGY BILLIE in Washington, D.C. them not to talk to us, and even workers “I’m a firm believer that there’s “You have to fight for what you believe who signed union cards said they were strength in numbers—without it, we are in,” Billie said. “You can’t let anyone rail- scared of losing their job.” nothing,” said Peggy Billie, a three-year (Continued on page 24) Lola Whitfield, right, with fellow Stewards veteran at Kroger #500 in Richmond. and activists Felicia Mayes (left) and Cheryl This conviction first motivated Billie to Brown (center) become a steward and then to get even more involved as an activist and organizer, devoting many hours to growing the union. When Billie was first hired by Kroger, she worked in the fuel center and was dis- turbed at how she and her fellow employ- ees were treated. “It’s like you’re surrounded by a moat,” she said, and it was impossible to get breaks. So she worked to improve the conditions of fuel employees, even after she was transferred inside the store. And she suc-

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 17 •LOCAL400POLITICS&LEGISLATIVEWATCH•LOCAL400POLITICS&

VOTE NOVEMBER 2nd! Local 400 Voters Guide

2010VIRGINIA Prince George’s County: Prince George’s County: Nancy Floreen U.S. House of 21st Jim Rosapepe 21st Ben Barnes George Leventhal HOW Representatives (includes Anne Barbara Frush Hans Riemer Candidates Are 1st No recommendation Arundel County) Joseline Pena- 1st No recommendation 2nd No recommendation 22nd Paul Pinsky Melnyk 2nd Craig Rice Recommended 3rd Bobby Scott 23rd Doug Peters (includes Anne 3rd No recommendation 4th Nancy Navarro Local 400 recommends candi- 4th Wynne LeGrow 24th Joanne Benson Arundel County) 5th Tom Perriello 25th Ulysses Currie 22nd Tawanna Gaines 5th Valerie Ervin dates for office only after an 6th No recommendation 26th Anthony Muse exhaustive process of getting to Montgomery County 7th Rick E. Waugh, Jr. 27th Thomas V. Mike Justin Ross State’s Attorney know the candidates, analyzing 8th Jim Moran Miller (includes 23A James Hubbard John McCarthy their records, and reviewing their 9th Rick Boucher Calvert County) Geraldine positions on issues affecting mem- 10th Jeffrey Barnett 47th Victor Ramirez Valentino-Smith Montgomery County Clerk, Circuit Court bers’ lives, such as jobs and the 11th Gerry Connolly Calvert, Charles 23B Marvin Loretta Young economy, workers’ rights, health &St.Mary’sCounties: Holmes 24th Tiffany Alston care, retirement security and others. MARYLAND 28th Mac Middleton Montgomery County Carolyn Howard Candidates who have stood up for Governor/ 29th Roy Dyson Register of Wills Lt. Governor Michael Vaughn Joseph Griffin Local 400 members and working Martin O’Malley/ House of Delegates 25th Aisha Braveboy Montgomery families, and those who are judged Dereck Davis Anthony Brown Montgomery County: County Sheriff to have your best interests in mind Melony Griffith Attorney General 14th No recommendation are listed here as guidance. 26th Veronica Turner Doug Gansler Prince George’s Here is how the process works: County Executive Comptroller 15th 27A James Proctor Rushern Baker Local 400 compiles a list of all Brian Feldman Joseph Vallario 1. candidates running for office Aruna Miller Prince George’s U.S. Senator (includes Calvert within their jurisdictions. 16th Bill Frick County Council Barbara Mikulski County) 1st Mary Lehman Letters and questionnaires 47th Jolene Ivey U.S. House of Susan Lee 2nd Will Campos Doyle Niemann 2. are sent out to all who are Representatives 17th Kumar Barve 3rd Eric Olson Michael Summers running. 4th Luiz Simmons 4th Ingrid Turner 5th No recommendation Calvert, Charles 5th The candidates who complete 6th Andrew Duck for third seat &St.Mary’sCounties: 6th Leslie Johnson 3. and return their question- 8th 18th Al Carr 27B Sue Kullen 7th Karen Toles naires are contacted for per- 8th Obie Patterson State Senate 28th Sally Jameson sonal interviews. Peter Murphy 9th Mel Franklin Montgomery County: 19th Sam Arora C. T.Wilson Based on the questionnaires Prince George’s 14th Karen 29A No recommendation County Judge, 4. and interviews, recommenda- Montgomery Ben Kramer 29B John Bohanan Circuit Court 7 tions are made to the execu- 15th Rob Garagiola 20th Sheila Hixson 29C No recommendation Beverly Woodard tive boards of the respective 16th Tom Hucker Leo Green, Jr. Montgomery 17th Jennie Forehand Heather Mizeur Michael Pearson central labor councils. County Executive 18th Richard Madaleno 39th Charles Barkley Philip Nichols After acceptance, the recom- 19th Roger Manno Ike Leggett Prince George’s 5. mendations are communicat- 20th Jamie Raskin Shane Robinson Montgomery County State’s ed to Local 400 members. 39th Nancy King County Council Attorney A-L Marc Elrich Angela Alsobrooks

18 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 LEGISLATIVE WATCH • LOCAL 400 POLITICS & LEGISLATIVE WATCH • L

Prince George’s County Anne Arundel 14th Cathy Larck 45th Larry Williams OHIO Clerk, Circuit Court County Executive 15th Jim Morgan 46th Stan Shaver Governor/Lt. Governor No recommendation Joanna Conti Matthew Woelfel 49th Charles Messick Ted Strickland/ Prince George’s County Anne Arundel 16th Dale Stephens 50th Yvette McGee Brown Register of Wills County Council Doug Reynolds 52nd Mike Roberts CeretaLee 1st Daryl Jones 17th 53rd Robert V. Mills Auditor 6th Chris Trumbauer Richard Thompson 55th Donn E. Marshall David Pepper Prince George’s 18th Larry Barker 56th Terry L. Walker County Judge 7th Torrey Jacobsen Attorney General 19th Greg Butcher 58th Tiffany Lawrence of the Orphans’ Court Anne Arundel Richard Cordray Josh Stowers Wendy Cartwright County Sheriff Ron Bateman DISTRICT Secretary of State Prince George’s 21st Harry Keith White OF COLUMBIA Maryellen O’Shaughnessy County Sheriff Anne Arundel County 22nd Daniel J. Hall Delegate No recommendation Judge, Circuit Court 5 Treasurer Linda Goode Phillips to Congress Ronald Jarashow Kevin Boyce Calvert County 23rd Clif Moore Eleanor Holmes Norton Laura Kiessling Commissioner 25th John Frazier Ohio Supreme Court Mayor Kelly McConkey Bill Moorefield Eric Brown—Chief Justice WEST VIRGINIA Vincent Gray Kimberly Mackall 27th Virginia Mahan Mary Jane Trapp—Justice Wilson Parran U.S. Senate Mel Kessler Special Election City Council Barbara Stinnett Ricky Moye Chairman U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III Lee Fisher Calvert County Board Sally Susman No recommendation U.S House of Bill Wooton of Education At Large U.S. House of Representatives City Council Cliff Savoy 28th Thomas Campbell Representatives 2nd Virginia Graf A-L 6th Charlie Wilson Charles County 3rd Nick Rahall 29th 1st Jim Graham Commissioner President 18th Zach Space Margaret Staggers 3rd Mary Cheh Candice Kelly Supreme Court 5th Harry Thomas, Jr. of Appeals 30th Bonnie Brown State Senate 6th Tommy Wells Charles County Thomas E. McHugh Jr 17th Justin Fallon Commissioner Nancy Guthrie State Senate State House of 1st Ken Robinson Bobbie Hatfield KENTUCKY 1st Orphy Klempa Representatives 2nd No recommendation Mark Hunt U.S. Senate 2nd Larry Edgell 89th Ron Hadsell 3rd Reuben Collins Sharon Spencer Jack Conway 6th H. Truman Chafin 93rd Linda Secrest 4th No recommendation 9th Mike Green U.S. House of 31st Ohio Court of Appeals Charles County 10th Ron Miller Representatives 32nd Scott Lavigne 5th Kristine Beard State’s Attorney 10th Mark Wills 4th John Waltz 33rd David Walker 7th Gene Donfrio Tony Covington 12th Joe Minard 34th State Senate 14th Steven Shaffer Ohio State Board Charles County 35th Sam Argento 18th Robin Webb Register of Wills 16th of Education 36th Joe Talbott Loraine Hennessy 17th Brooks McCabe State House of 8th Deborah Cain 37th Denise Campbell Representatives Charles County Judge House of Delegates 38th Peggy Donaldson 84th Fitz Steele TENNESSEE of the Orphans’ Court 1st Randy Swartzmiller Smith 87th Rick Nelson Governor Frank Lancaster 2nd Tim Ennis 39th Bill Hamilton 90th Tim Couch Mike McWherter Charles County Sheriff Roy Givens 40th Mary Poling 91st Teddy Edmonds 3rd Rex Coffey 41st 93rd W. Keith Hall U.S. House of Representatives Erikka Storch 94th Leslie A. Combs St. Mary’s County 1st Michael Clark 4th 95th Gregory S. Stumbo Commissioner President Scott Varner 42nd Michael Manypenny Jack Russell 96th Jill York State House of 5th Dave Pethtel 43rd Mike Caputo 98th Tanya Pullin Representatives St. Mary’s County 9th Jim Marion Linda Longstreth 99th Rocky Adkins 2nd Nathan Vaughn Commissioner 10th Dan Poling Timothy Manchin 100th Kevin P. Sinnette 3rd Scotty Campbell 1st Elfreda Mathis 44th 4th Kent Williams 2nd Arthur Shepherd 12th Jo Boggess Phillips Charlene Marshall 6th Dale Ford 3rd Bill Mattingly 13th Dale Martin Steve Cook 4th Mary Washington Anthony Barill

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 19 LTC Bradley Takes Co

Longtime Local 400 member and activist Medical Support Unit. We provide combat service support world- wide and we provide soldier readiness assistance to prepare Jacqueline Bradley took command of the U.S. them to deploy. My role as commander is to make sure my citi- zen-warriors are trained, that they’re professionals and that Army’s 7202nd Medical Support Unit, based in they’re ready to deploy. It’s an enormous responsibility and I am Richmond, Va., on August 14, 2010. Lieutenant very proud to have this opportunity.

Colonel Bradley has served in the U.S. Army Q. What is your approach to commanding the unit? A. Iwanttoinstillinmysoldiersthreebasictenets.First,always Reserve for 18 years, has worked as a nurse prac- do your very best. Like the generations of soldiers before us, we titioner with Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic for owe it to them and to future generations. Doing our very best will ensure that America’s freedoms persist. 17 years, and has served Second, I want the citizen-warriors under my command to prepare themselves for mobilization. Whether America calls you as a member of the as an individual or as a unit, you must be ready. It’s our obliga- Local 400 Executive tion to maintain 100 percent status in administrative readiness, warrior and professional skills. LTC Jacqueline Board for seven years. Third, I want them to know, understand and lead by the war- rior ethos. America’s parents entrust their sons and daughters to Bradley. During her long and distin- the institution of the U.S. Army because they trust us. Our war- guished career in military serv- rior ethos is the basis of that trust. That means always placing the ice, LTC Bradley has received mission first, never accepting defeat, never quitting, and never numerous awards, includ- leaving a fallen comrade. ing the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal Q. Does this command philosophy affect your work and Army Reserve Com- as a nurse practitioner at Kaiser? ponent Achievement A. Absolutely. It doesn’t matter whether I have my uniform on or Medal. off—this is how I try to live every part of my life. I always try to do She recently sat down my best, to be prepared and to be worthy of trust. When I’m treat- with the Union Leader for ing patients at Kaiser, I’m going to provide them with the same an interview about her quality of care, the same professionalism and the same passion I new responsibilities and bring to my command in the military. her continuing activism with Local 400. Q. And how does your leadership in the military affect your work as a leader of Local 400? Q. Please tell us A. Each one helps the other. For example, in my role as a com- about your recent mander, the civilian employees under my supervision are union promotion and what members, and that makes me a better boss, because I know what your new responsibili- it’s like to be on the other side of the table. In my role as a Local ties are. 400 Executive Board member, I find that my command philoso- A. I’ve been granted the phy—to do my best, to be prepared and to be worthy of trust— honor, privilege and duty applies every bit as well. The more that all of us follow this credo, of commanding the 7202nd the more dynamic and effective Local 400 will be in serving our

20 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 kes Command

members, improving their quality of life, upholding their rights, Q. Will you be deployed overseas? and winning social and economic justice. A. For the upcoming year, we will be focused on training for a potential mobilization or deployment in 2012. We don’t know Q. You’re the commander of an Army unit, a nurse yet if it will happen or where, but we will be ready. I’ve previous- practioner at Kaiser and a member of Local 400’s ly served in Italy, Germany and Panama, and will gladly go wher- executive board. How are you managing to juggle all ever the Army says we’re needed. And I’ve got the security of of these roles? knowing that Kaiser and Local 400 will A. It would help if they changed the clocks accommodate this if it happens. to add a few hours to each day, but short of that, I am working as hard and being as Q. What does Local 400 and its mis- efficient and focused as I can. It’s like I have sion mean to you? two full-time jobs. But I feel very blessed, A. It means everything. At Kaiser, Local because I love what I do, both when my 400’s leadership has made our Labor- uniform is on and when it is off. And I feel Management Partnership work well, creat- very fortunate to be able to serve—serve ing a collaborative environment that my patients, serve my brothers and sisters at empowers our members while continually Local 400, and serve my country. improving the quality of care we provide, and at the same time, negotiating strong Q. Has the extra time you’ve had contracts that pay us industry-leading to spend commanding your unit wages and benefits. caused any problems at Kaiser or We pride ourselves at Local 400 as with Local 400? being one of the few unions in the cur- A. None whatsoever—in fact, just the rent economic environment that possess- opposite. I was deeply touched that not es the strength, the smarts and the only were my family and close friends at member activism to stand up to corporate my promotion ceremony in Richmond, but demands to lay workers off, lower wages anumberofmycolleaguesatKaiserand and reduce health and retirement bene- at Local 400 attended, as well. I feel hon- LTC Jacqueline Bradley, a Local 400 fits. We’ve said we will not do that, we’ve activist and Executive Board member, ored and supported on every front. speaks at the ceremony where she took stood firm and we’ve negotiated con- Kaiser Permanente is a very military- command of the U.S. Army’s 7202nd tracts that continue to improve our mem- friendly organization. It is even working to Medical Support Unit. bers’ economic standing and maintain establish a military association within the their security. That’s a remarkable company for veteran and reservist employees. Local 400 and achievement and one we need to keep building on as we work President Tom McNutt have been strongly supportive as well. I to expand our membership and market share in the years am very gratified that I am able to do my small part for my coun- ahead. try, my employer and my union all at the same time. “…In my role as a commander, the civilian employees under my supervision are union members, and that makes me a better boss, because I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the table. In my role as a Local 400 Executive Board member, I find that my command philosophy— to do my best, to be prepared and to be worthy of trust—applies every bit as well. “ —LTC Jacqueline Bradley.

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 21 Spotlight Rick Howell Yvonne Arcell Front End Supervisor Case Manager, MD Inpatient Kroger #375, Roanoke, Va. Kaiser/Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, Md. Karshena Brooks Years in Union: 2 GM HBC Manager Safeway #1689, Herndon, Va. Years as Steward: 1 Enjoys Most about Job: When I know I’ve done my level best

Enjoys Most about Being a Steward: Being the face of the union in the store Hobbies: Reading, history, politics, “TheunionbuildsSolidarity news to promote change for a Favorite Place on Earth: The Outer better workplace.” “With the union, we care Banks of North Carolina about each other.” Years in Union: 7

Years in Union: 10 Years as Steward: 1-1/2

Years as Steward: 2 Family: Married with two sons

Family: Four children Enjoys Most About Job: Helping others in difficult times Enjoys Most about Being a Steward: Helping others Enjoys Most About Being a Steward: The opportunity to meet Hobbies: Bowling, swimming, other KP employees cooking, entertaining my family “The union gets everyone working together for the Hobbies: Making jewelry Favorite Place on Earth: Bahamas common cause of bettering our lives.”

22 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 Wilford G. “Jerry” Scarlett Cressel Timothy P.Tutsock Rexroad Bookkeeper Meat Cutter File Maintenance Clerk Shoppers #2357, Leesburg, Va. Giant #106, Rockville, Md. Kroger #688, Clarksburg, W.Va. Years in Union: 5 Years in Union: 39 Years as Steward: 5 Years as Steward: 31 Enjoys Most About Job: Making a Family: Married with two children customer smile and three stepchildren Enjoys Most About Being a Enjoys Most About Being a Steward: Helping associates with Steward: Being able to help people issues when they are in trouble “The union gives us protection.” Hobbies: Fishing, camping, going to Hobbies: Helping various causes in the beach the community Years in Union: 19 Favorite Place on Earth: My easy Future Plans: Retire and enjoy my chair family Years as Steward: 4 Family: One daughter

Enjoys Most about Job: The people

Hobbies: Scrapbooking, cooking, fascinated by forensic science

Favorite Place on Earth: Walt Disney World “The union gives us a say “Theunionprovides on the job and the job security job security.” aunioncontractprovides.”

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 23 awesome and we can get them on the ee in the nutrition section of Kroger #515 phone anytime.” in Mechanicsville doesn’t allow him as ACTIVISM much time as he would like, he still does (Continued from page 17) ALLEN GRAVES everything he can to sign up members and But Whitfield is undeterred. “I enjoyed Allen Graves has been a Local 400 membership in his store is on the rise. it,” she said, “and I’ll participate when member for nine years and a steward for Graves also gets involved in community we do it again. I’m a talker and I’m not eight, and he is deeply dedicated to grow- outreach. This past spring after afraid to speak up.” ing the union. “The more members you Ahold/Martin’s purchased Ukrop’s and She brings this same approach to kicked the Girl Scouts off their prop- signing up members at Kroger #532. Local 400 Steward and activist erty, Local 400 and Graves invited a “I start out explaining to them how Allen Graves hands Girl Scouts displaced troop to sell cookies in we’re a union store and what the acheckforthepurchaseof100 front of his Kroger store, and the union does for us, how they fight for boxes of cookies. union bought the first 100 boxes of our benefits and health plan, and cookies. how any issues we come across “We showed the Girl Scouts we’re that’s unfair, the union can help us supportive of their activities because with that,” Whitfield said. “I tell they help build character,” Graves them that the more people we have in said, adding that Local 400 showed the union, the stronger we can be as people throughout the Richmond ateamandIneedeveryhourlywork- area why shopping union supports er to be an active member of Local their community and quality of life. 400. I love being a part of the union “Dominic McGee, Peggy Billie, and I think that comes across to people.” have, the better able you are to negotiate Lola Whitfield and Allen Graves are model With membership in her store up 20 per- good contracts,” he said. activists, but they’re also just the tip of the cent in the last year, that seems apparent. Graves became a steward and member iceberg at Local 400,” McNutt said. “We are Whitfield credits much of her success activist because, “I have a strong sense of building a culture of activism and as more with the training Local 400 provides justice, to treat people the way they should members volunteer their time and effort to stewards and the constant support union be treated, with decency and respect, so I support their brothers and sisters, the staff provide. “They teach us everything like to see that for everybody.” stronger we will be. Our member activists we know,” Whitfield said. “The training is While his workload as the sole employ- are truly the face of Local 400’s future.”

ACTIVISTS, COMMUNITY JOIN TOGETHER TO KEEP WALMART OUT OF D.C. With Walmart threatening to build a store in the Poplar Linda Watson, a steward at the Alabama Avenue Safeway, Point area of Southeast Washington, D.C., a group of Local union activist, and neighborhood resident. 400 member activists living and working in the area recently “We’re here to show our community that with the union attended a meeting of the Anacostia Coordinating Council to getting involved, you never know what we can do,” Watson warn community members about how the giant retailer drives said. “We’re not just here to sell you groceries, we’re here to down the standard of living and drives local businesses into help the schools, the recreation centers, people all over. bankruptcy. “If it wasn’t for Local 400, I wouldn’t be here,” Watson Union activists shared their views with Council members said. “The union went to bat for me. So I’m talking with my and emphasized that there are much better alternatives to co-workers about what we need to do to stop Walmart. If providing access to affordable, healthy food and promoting something needs to be said, I’ll say it—I don’t pussy foot economic development. Local 400 offered to partner with the around. Instead of sitting back and doing nothing until the last group to bring in a company that treats it workers well and minute, I believe in getting involved and going door to door.” provides them with living wages and health and retirement As a result of the meeting, Local 400 and the Anacostia security, such as Safeway, Giant or Shoppers. Coordinating Council will be working closely together to pro- “Walmart will take some of our jobs, they don’t have a mote positive growth, rather than development that creates a union and won’t offer us what we get from Safeway,” said race to the bottom.

24 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 Mott’s Workers Win Pivotal Strike Local 400 Helps Union Stop Corporate Effort to Slash Wages and Benefits

Members of UFCW Local 220* set in beating back corporate greed,” “This was a clear case where every- working at Mott’s Williamson, said Local 400 President Tom McNutt. one had to draw a line in the sand “It’s not hyperbole to say that this was a against corporate greed and for the N.Y., plant won a landmark victory battle to save the American middle class. American dream,” McNutt said. after a three-and-a-half month “That’s because this company is mak- “Because if we had lost, dozens of cor- ing more money than ever,” McNutt said, porations would have followed suit, long strike, defeating draconian pointing to the Dr Pepper Snapple demanding lower wages and fewer ben- corporate efforts to slash wages, Group’s record $555 million in profits in efits for workers because so many health benefits and pension con- 2009, and its decision to increase its divi- Americans are unemployed or working dend by 67 percent in May 2010. “They for less than they used to in the midst of tributions. this recession.” The strike became a national sym- It is especially significant that this bol for working people struggling to strike took place at a time when maintain middle class jobs and strong household income for the middle class communities, after Mott’s corporate has been plummeting. According to parent, the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, recent data from the U.S. Census imposed a $1.50 per hour wage Bureau, median household income fell decrease and other cuts on 305 work- by 4.8 percent from 2000 to 2009, and ers. most of that drop—4.2 percent—took Local 400 actively supported the place in the past two years. striking workers, with members Meanwhile, CEO salaries increased by engaging in handbilling and encourag- 4.5 percent in 2009 alone and corpo- ing a boycott of Mott’s, Snapple, Dr rate profits rose by the fastest level in Pepper, 7Up, Hawaiian Punch and Local 400 members Liz Engleman (left) 25 years, totalling $1.4 trillion on an other corporate products. They were and Tessie Holloman with flyers they annualized basis in the first quarter of joined by UFCW members from other distributed in support of Mott's workers. 2010, a 58 percent jump. Local Unions, and community and Workers without union contracts other allies, who collectively engaged “This was a battle to save have no defense against unfettered in nearly 600 actions in support of the American middle class.” corporate greed as companies take Local 220* members. Driven by blogs advantage of the worst labor market and social networks, tens of thousands —Local400PresidentTomMcNutt in recent history to try to squeeze even of people joined the cause of the more profits out of their struggling Mott’s strikers, advocating for good jobs didn’t demand givebacks to keep the employees. But as Local 220* members with paychecks that pay the bills. company afloat—rather, management showed, union membership and labor Thanks to this nationwide outpouring was up front about wanting to lower Solidarity give workers the power to pre- of support and the Solidarity of Local labor costs simply because they thought vail no matter how long and tough the 220* members, the company caved, they could get away with it.” fight. agreeing to a new contract that restores Local 220* member Tim Budd told The “The victory, important as it is, does wage levels, maintains affordable health New York Times that a plant manager not end the battle,” McNutt said. “We care, and continues the pension plan. “said there are thousands of people in this must be active and vigilant not just in “I was proud to be able to help our area out of jobs, and they could hire any stopping corporate attempts to lower our brothers and sisters working at Mott’s, one of them for $14 an hour. It made me economic standing, but in raising it and both for the sake of their families and sick to have someone sit across the table recapturing our fair share of the prosperi- communities, and for the precedent we and say I’m not worth the money I make.” ty our hard work creates.”

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 25 Scholarships Awarded to“Lucky 13” Members and Children Local 400 offers a variety of opportunities as vice president of the Key Club, and was involved for members and their children to improve in the National Honor Society and the National Art Honors Society. Her father, John Bailey, works at their lives by getting a higher education, Giant #767. “I was very excited to learn that I most notably through its involvement in received this scholarship,” Danielle said. “Paying two major scholarship programs: for college is a huge responsibility and a little frightening. It is good to receive help whenever you Ⅲ The FELRA & UFCW Health and Welfare can get it and I am very thankful for the money pro- Sean Benedik Scholarship Fund provides $2,500 scholar- vided by this award.” ships to help defray the cost of college tuition for SEAN BENEDIK of Lusby, Md. Sean graduated Local 400 members who work at Giant, Safeway, from Patuxent High School in 2007, where he Shoppers Food & Pharmacy or Super Fresh, and played tennis, managed the volleyball team, and their families. It is funded through the union’s was active in the horticulture, chess and PAWS collective bargaining agreements with these clubs. He is currently an English major at Towson employers. University and is also pursuing a secondary educa- Ⅲ The Local 400 Scholarship Fund awards tion concentration in the hopes of becoming a mid- $1,000 scholarships to members and their dle school English teacher. He previously attended Maria Manalac children attending college. the College of Southern Maryland and the For the 2010-11 school year, the FELRA & UFCW University of Maryland, College Park, but now Health and Welfare Scholarship Fund awarded enjoys Towson’s mix of challenging courses and eight scholarships and five individuals received decent class sizes. His mother, Denise Benedik, Local 400 Scholarships, which meant that a “lucky works at Giant #343. “Thank goodness!” Sean said 13” will receive help from their union with their col- when he received the scholarship. “Because I’m liv- lege tuition. Three of the recipients are Local 400 ing off campus, my own budget was getting a little members and the other 10 are children of members. tight, so I felt as if a daunting weight had been lift- “Unions exist to create opportunity for our mem- ed off my shoulders.” Thomas Smith bers and their families,” said Local 400 President BRIAN CADIGAN of Rockville, Md. A Local 400 Tom McNutt, “and these two scholarship programs member who worked at Safeway #1668, Brian are one important way in which we help make that graduated from Rockville High School in June. happen. Despite working 20-25 hours a week during his jun- “It is a great source of pride to know how these ior and senior years and more hours during the fine individuals have excelled in high schoolLuck and to summers, he was able to find the time to run varsi- be able to help them afford a college education and ty cross country, track and indoor track, make come closer to realizing their dreams,” McNutt honor roll every semester, and be named an AP said. Scholar. Brian now attends the University of Raymond Tang Maryland, College Park, where he plans to major in The 2010-11 FELRA & UFCW Health history, with an eye toward eventually working for and Welfare Scholarship Winners are: the federal government in an international rela- DANIELLE BAILEY of Port Tobacco, Md. tions, defense or intelligence capacity. He was Danielle is currently a junior at Eastern University thrilled to receive the FELRA Scholarship. “I’ve in St. Davids, Pa. She is a history major who plans been working,” he said. “Paying my union dues for on becoming a professor of Civil War history on a almost two years, it was a great feeling to know the college level. Danielle graduated from Henry E. union was going to assist in paying my tuition. I Lackey High School in Indian Head, Md., in 2008, am very thankful to the union for its generous Mohan Warusha where she made honor roll every semester, served grant and I hope they keep it going so next year 26 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 13 Scholarships Awarded to“Lucky 13” Members and Children somebody else can get the same wonderful gift I enjoyed.” MOHAN WARUSHA of Bethesda, Md. Mohan is a 2010 grad- MARIA MANALAC of Clinton, Md. A 2008 graduate of Oxon uate of Whitman High School in Bethesda, where he performed Hill High School, Maria must be the FELRA Scholarship recipi- more than 300 hours of community service, started a club for ent who has traveled farthest from home for her education, Oxfam America, participated in a club called Secret Smiles because this fall, the Loyola University of Maryland junior is which raises funds for Ronald McDonald House, and was a studying at Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand, as member of the Green Team, an environmental group. He also part of her semester abroad. As a global studies major who is interned with the National Institute of Health, both volunteered considering working with international agencies that help and worked for the National Zoo, and worked at the developing countries after graduation, this promises to be a fas- Smithsonian Center of Folklife. Mohan now attends New York cinating experience. In high school, Maria was president of the University and is considering majoring in international rela- International Club, a member of the orchestra and secretary of tions. His father, Ananda Warusha, works at Giant #357. “I was the National Honor Society. She is bilingual and enjoys travel- very ecstatic,” Mohan said of receiving the scholarship. “It was ing, photography and collecting stamps. Her mother, Lallie a great help to my parents.” Manalac, works at Shoppers #2342. “I was definitely elated CHO-HSIEN LEUNG of Potomac, Md. Her mother, Mei-Ling when I found out I got the scholarship!” Maria said. “I like to Leung, works at Super Fresh #985. Efforts to reach Cho-Hsien help out my parents in any way I can in paying my education.” were unsuccessful. THOMAS SMITH of Wheaton, Md. The valedictorian of Wheaton High School when he graduated last spring, Thomas The 2010-11 Local 400 Scholarship Winners are: was a Maryland Distinguished Scholar and AP Scholar, and KRISTYN BRINKLEY of Waldorf, Md. A Local 400 member, served as president of the National Honors Society and the Gay- Kristyn graduated from Westlake High School last spring, Straight Alliance. He also performed in two plays with the where she played varsity soccer all four years and captained the Drama Club and interned at an art studio during three school team as a junior and senior. She worked at Safeway #105 for years. Currently a freshman at Johns Hopkins University in two years, putting in 20 hours a week when in school and 30 to Baltimore, Thomas is active in campus activities and plans to 35 hours a week over the summer. As a senior, she also worked major in writing seminars and one other subject he’ll determine another part-time job and took a class at the College of Southern later. He is considering getting involved in the field of social Maryland, and was able to juggle her many responsibilities by services or community organizations after he graduates. His reducing her high school classload and organizing her time father, Steven Smith, works at Safeway #964. Thomas carefully. Kristyn is now a freshman at Frostburg State expressed his gratitude for the scholarship, saying, “I was glad University in Frostburg, Md. She is majoring in chemistry for a that I’d be able to pay off my student loans more quickly.” pre-med concentration. “I was excited to receive the scholar- RAYMOND TANG of Alexandria, Va. Raymond graduated ship,” she said. with honors from Thomas Edison High School this past June, KATHERINE CONNOR of Poolesville, Md. A sophomore at Lucky Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., Katherine graduated where he received the senior award for science, and a medal for receiving the International Baccalaureate Diploma. He was the from Poolesville High School in 2009. There, she co-captained Science Olympiad captain, National Honor Society vice president, the varsity field hockey and indoor and outdoor track teams, and and member of a team that placed first in a Rube Goldberg event was the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the at the state Science Olympiad. Raymond now attends the School Maryland Distinguished Scholar and Principal’s Leadership of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Virginia. Award. She served as president of the Leo’s Service Club, vice He is leaning towards majoring in mechanical engineering, president of service for the National Honor Society, a member of though that may change depending on his experiences this year. the Mock Trial Team, and co-editor of the school newspaper. In His mother, Jenny Tu-Tang, works at Giant #748. “When I addition, Katherine received an Izaak Walton League award for learned that I had received the scholarship, it came as a big relief her senior project, which was to create a micro-credit club at as I did not receive any financial aid apart from unsubsidized her high school. At Northwestern, she is majoring in journalism loans,” Raymond said. “This scholarship has been very helpful and involved in many campus activities, including service on the with the tuition and other fees associated with the University.” (Continued on next page) 13SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 27 Kentucky Youth for Community Volunteer Service and performed approximately 500 hours of volun- Scholarships Awarded teer service. Mary Jo is now a freshman at (Continued from page 27) Transylvania College in Lexington, Ky. She is con- executive board for Amnesty International. Her sidering a science major and exploring the possibil- mother, Ann Connor, is a registered nurse with ity of becoming a marine biologist. Her father, Kaiser Permanente. “Coming from the UFCW, the Shaun Lee, works as a meat cutter clerk at Kroger award really means a lot to me, and it is making a #783. “I was really surprised to receive the schol- huge difference in not only my life, but that of my arship,” Mary Jo said. “I think this is a great family as well,” Katherine said. “It is exciting to opportunity and I am very thankful and grateful.” know that I will be able to reduce my student loans EVAN PALMER of Cross Lanes, W.Va. A 2010 with the award, and I truly thank UFCW Local 400 graduate of St. Albans High School in St. Albans, Kristyn Brinkley and all of its members for that.” W.Va., Local 400 member Evan Palmer managed to JOHN DAVIS FRENS of Olney, Md. A 2010 grad- be involved in numerous activities in high school uate of Sherwood High School, John received a despite working part-time at Kroger #763 as a National Merit Scholar award and ran cross-country. courtesy clerk and in customer service his junior Today, he attends Carnegie Mellon University in and senior years. He was a member of the national Pittsburgh, where he plans to major in electrical and and state Student Leadership Teams for Church of computer engineering. He is most interested in robot- God Ministries, where he helped develop and imple- ics and would like to pursue research in the field. His ment ideas for international and state youth events. mother, Local 400 member Victoria Frens, is a staff He was also a High Honors Graduate, treasurer of Kathrine Conner nurse at Kaiser #34. “I was excited to receive the the National Honors Society, member of Mu Alpha scholarship,” John said. “I’m taking out huge stu- Theta (Math Honors Society), and recipient of the dent loans. I was happy to get some help and sup- Red Dragon Award for Citizenship. Evan is current- port, particularly considering where my mom works. ly a freshman at Mid-America Christian University It’s great to see companies and unions give back.” in Oklahoma City, Okla., where he is majoring in MARY JO LEE of Ashland, Ky. Mary Jo gradu- specialized ministries with an emphasis in youth ated last spring from Paul G. Blazer High School in ministry. After graduating, he would like to become Ashland, where she was engaged in a wide array of a youth pastor or work in some form of church min- volunteer and extracurricular activities. She served istry. “When I learned of receiving this scholarship, John Davis Frens as secretary to the Tri-M Music Honors Society, I was ecstatic because it meant that my time work- French Honors Society and French Club, and was ing for Kroger and the union paid off, literally,” involved in the National Honors Society, Mock Evan said. “Not only did this job allow for a weekly Trial, Beta Club, Key Club and the dance team. She income, but it also gave me an opportunity to pur- was also active in the Boyd County Branch of sue my dreams with a higher education.”

LOCAL 400 MEMBER’S DAUGHTER RECEIVES UNION PLUS SCHOLARSHIP HALIMA KARIM of Takoma Park, Md., whose father Abdool Karim is a Mary Jo Lee Local 400 member, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Union Plus, the organization that provides an array of benefit programs for union families. Halima cited the inspiration of family values and family traditions in her life. “From an early age my parents instilled in me the importance of working hard and helping those in need,” she said. She took the lesson to heart, vol- unteering her time both locally and internationally to help the less fortu- nate, a commitment she expects to continue when she becomes a dentist. Halima Karim The family tradition that has inspired her? Her father's 22 years in the UFCW. “The union directly impacts my life in so many ways,” she said. Evan Palmer

28 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 Court Ruling Huge Victory for UFCW Emphatically Rejects Supermarket Anti-Strike Profit-Sharing Agreement

United Food & Commercial tract had also expired. Food 4 Less’ con- lective bargaining and the formation of Workers members won a landmark tract had not expired so it could not join labor unions as part of our national labor the lockout. Before the strike started, the policy,” U.S. Appellate Judge Stephen victory recently when the U.S. four companies agreed that if any one of Reinhardt wrote that “profit sharing is Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit them received higher than normal profits not ‘needed to make the collective bargain- issued a strongly-worded ruling during the strike, it would pay 15 percent ing process work.’ To the contrary, collec- of its profits to the other companies. That tive bargaining has worked and does work rejecting as unlawful an attempt is what happened, as Ralph’s and Food 4 quite well from the standpoint of employ- by Southern California supermar- Less paid Von’s and Albertson’s approxi- ers without the need to engage in such ket operators to share profits in mately $142 million for the strike period, basic violations of the anti-trust system.” order to avoid financial damage and another $4.2 million for the two week Calling the Mutual Strike Assistance period following the strike. Agreement “obviously anticompetitive,” during the four-month-long 2003- As soon as the Mutual Strike Judge Reinhardt found that, “The only 2004 grocery worker strike. Assistance Agreement became known, relationship of profit sharing agreements The federal court found that the then-California Attorney General Bill to labor matters is the possibility that Mutual Strike Assistance Agreement Lockyear filed suit against the compa- they would unbalance the existing, care- between four supermarket chains—Vons nies, charging violations of anti-trust fully drawn process, and strengthen the (owned by Safeway), Albertson’s, Ralph’s law. UFCW legal counsel was part of the hand of employers in labor disputes by (owned by Kroger) and Food 4 Less—vio- team in this litigation. The case contin- means that would otherwise violate well- lated the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. ued under his successor, former (and pos- established anti-trust policies—means “This ruling affirms the sacred right sibly future) Gov. Jerry Brown. that have not been historically authorized of workers to strike and it rejects employ- The companies argued that they were for use as part of the collective bargain- er collusion to prevent a walkout from allowed to collude under the Sherman ing process.” having any impact on a company’s prof- Anti-Trust Act, which grants a “labor The Court’s ruling reversed a district itability,” said Local 400 President Tom exemption” for competitors to join togeth- court decision denying summary judg- McNutt. “This upholds the collective bar- er in multi-employer collective bargaining ment to the plaintiff and remanded the gaining process by preventing employers negotiations. They justified the agree- case back to the district court “for entry from repeating their actions leading up to ment on the grounds that it covered a of judgment in favor of the plaintiff and and during the Southern California limited period of time, that the four com- for any further proceedings as may be supermarket strike. As a result, it will panies accounted for 60 to 70 percent of consistent with this opinion.” have the very helpful impact of shorten- the market, and that as a tool to defeat “Through the use of scabs, also ing the duration of strikes when they do the unions, it would lower labor costs known as ‘permanent replacements,’ cor- occur. The positive ramifications of this and result in lower prices. porate America has been undermining decision will be felt by Local 400 mem- The Appeals Court shot the defen- the collective bargaining process for bers and our brothers and sisters dants’ position down, writing that “dri- years,” McNutt said. “This profit-sharing throughout the labor movement.” ving down compensation to workers is agreement introduced a new and danger- On October 11, 2003, seven Southern not a benefit to consumers… Depressing ous tactic to further destroy workers’ California UFCW Local Unions went on wages is not of societal benefit; it simply leverage when contract talks are difficult strike against Von’s (Safeway) after the harms working people and their families, and intense. Thankfully, the Court has company demanded the elimination of a significant part of the group that has restored some balance, common sense, health benefits. Albertson’s and Ralph’s come to be known as ‘the middle class.’” and justice to the collective bargaining then locked out their workers whose con- Noting that “Congress encourages col- process.”

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 29 Russell Wise Retires After 33 Years of Service To Local 400 Members Russell Wise, Maryland and Washington, D.C., region- growth to a level of over 37,000 today. al director, retired on Sept. 30 after more than three “I can truly say I’ve loved my job every single day and that it’s been a decades of service to Local 400 members, beginning as privilege to represent the members an organizer in 1977. of this union for the past 33 Wise first joined the union 40 years ago when he was hired at years,” Wise said. Safeway, where he served as a union shop steward for several “Russ Wise has served Local years prior to his appointment to the staff. 400 and its members with pas- He was involved in numerous organizing campaigns, includ- sion and devotion, and he has ing the successful effort to unionize the large Woodward & made a tremendous contribu- Lothrop department store chain. tion to building our union Wise was promoted to service representative in the mid- into the force it is today,” said 1980s, working initially in the old “mercantile division” of the President Tom McNutt. “We local, where in addition to handling grievances and daily repre- wish Russ and his family sentation, he helped bargain contracts and, in some cases, coor- many years of good health dinate strike activities, such as at Raleigh’s clothiers and Scan and happiness in this new Furniture. phase of their lives.” He was named regional coordinator in 1997. Among other accomplishments in that role, Wise served as lead negotiator for three successful national contracts with Kaiser Permanente for the Mid-Atlantic. He capped his career with an agreement, rati- fied last month, that achieved the top goal of safeguarding Kaiser employees’ health benefits as well as delivering salary hikes comparable with the Kaiser units in California. Wise, who is 58, remembers that Local 400 represented only about 12,000 members when he first became a staff represen- tative, and over his career he has witnessed the union’s Governor Martin O’Malley Pivotal Races Continued from page 4 Continued from page 9 secured more than $2 billion in relief for Maryland ratepay- John Kasich, spent eight years making millions of dollars ers who were left reeling after Ehrlich appointees let BG&E working on Wall Street. He was a managing director at raise rates by 72 percent. Lehman Brothers, which went bankrupt in September 2008 “I don’t know when there has ever been a greater contrast after recklessly investing in subprime mortgages, behavior between two candidates for governor with two diametrically that nearly created a second Great Depression. If elected, he opposed records in office and two different visions for the plans to cut, privatize and outsource Ohio’s public service jobs. future,” McNutt said. “For Maryland working families who “Ted Strickland stands up for Main Street while John want their governor fighting for them in Annapolis, Martin Kasich is a tool of Wall Street,” McNutt said. “Local 400 O’Malley is the only choice.” strongly recommends the re-election of Governor Strickland.”

30 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 Attention: Employees of Giant, Safeway & Super*Fresh 2011 Annual Scholarship Awards f you are working for one of the companies listed above, under the provisions of your con- Itract, you and your dependents may be eligible for the FELRA and UFCW Health and Welfare Fund Scholarship Program. Entry Deadline: December 31, 2010 Just fill out the preliminary application below and mail it to the Fund office postmarked by December 31, 2010. In January of 2011, eligible applicants will be sent additional information from the Fund.

Cut and mail

Employee Information SCHOLARSHIP Name ______Social Security Number ______FUND Employer ______he FELRA and UFCW Health and Welfare Fund Home Address ______Texpects to be awarding scholarships to a select City, State, Zip Code ______number of eligible participants and their dependents Home Phone Number______who will be attending college or a university as full-time E-Mail Address ______students in the fall of 2011. Participants and their Applicant’s Information dependents are eligible to apply for a scholarship award Name ______if the participant completes at least one year of Service Social Security Number ______as of December 31, 2010 and is actively employed as of Date of Birth ______that date. In addition, dependent applicants must be (If Dependent of Employee) under the age of 24 on December 31, 2010. Mail applications to: PRELIMINARY Applicants who submit preliminary applications and APPLICATIONS UFCW & FELRA meet the initial scholarship award requirements will be MUST BE POSTMARKED Scholarship Program mailed the full application form in early January of BY DECEMBER 31, 2010. 911 Ridgebrook Rd. 2011. Sparks, MD 21152-9451

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 31 2010 AREA MEETINGS SCHEDULE* August Monday, October 4 Wednesday, October 6 Thursday, Nov. 4 PARKERSBURG BRISTOL CHARLOTTESVILLE Fiscal Report Comfort Suites Holiday Inn Holiday Inn 167 Elizabeth Pike Exit 7 off 1901 Emmett Street 1BALANCE IN CASH ACCOUNT Mineral Wells, WV 26150 of Interstate 81 Charlottesville, AT BEGINNING OF MONTH 1,387,752 (304) 489-9600 3005 Linden Dr. VA 22901 Bristol, VA 24202 (434) 977-7700 2RECEIPTS (from all sources): Tuesday, October 5 (276) 466-4100 DUES 1,555,589 BLUEFIELD MISCELLANEOUS 7,105 Quality Hotel Monday, October 25 & Conference Center CLARKSBURG 3TOTAL RECEIPTS 1,562,694 Route 460 Bypass Holiday Inn 3350 Big Laurel Hwy 100 Lodgeville Road 4TOTAL OF LINES 1 AND 3 2,950,446 Bluefield, WV 24701 Bridgeport, WV 26330 (304) 325-6170 (304) 842-5411 * All meetings are at 6 p.m. 5DISBURSEMENTS for current months 1,396,848 * 6CASH ACCOUNT BALANCE 2010 QUARTERLY MEETINGS SCHEDULE at the end of current month 1,553,598 Tuesday, Nov. 2 Monday, Nov. 8 Tuesday, Dec. 21 7BALANCE AT END OF MONTH NORFOLK CHARLESTON LANDOVER as shown on Bank Statement 1,638,005 Norfolk Office Holiday Inn–Civic Center Local 400 Headquarters 3620 Tidewater Drive 100 Civic Center 4301 Garden City Drive 8DEPOSIT IN TRANSIT 0 Norfolk, VA 23509 Charleston, WV 25301 Landover, MD 20785 Wednesday, Nov. 3 (304) 345-0600 (301) 459-3400 9TOTAL OF LINES 7 AND 8 1,638,005 RICHMOND Wednesday, Dec. 1 Holiday Inn-Central ROANOKE 10 LESS: Checks included 3207 North Boulevard Holiday Inn in item 5 not returned Richmond, VA 23230 450 Litchell Road with bank statement 84,407 (804) 359-9441 Salem, VA 24153 (540) 389-2424 * All meetings are at 6 p.m. 11 BALANCE (Should agree with Line 6) 1,553,598

12 PETTY CASH FUND 750 ALL IN THE FAMILY 13 TOTAL OF ALL LOCAL UNION’S Family of Margaret Cornwell, Giant 310 SAVINGS ACCOUNTS Condolences Tom Rogers, Local 400 staff, Loss of Sister at the end of month 2,370,786 Mark Federici, Local 400 staff, Loss of Father-in-Law Family of Alfred Lesage Jr, Shoppers Food & 14 DEPRECIATED VALUE OF Pharmacy Russell Wise, Local 400 staff, Real Estate, Furniture, Loss of Sister-in-Law Robyn Wheeler, Giant 770, Loss of Mother Equipment, Automobiles, etc. 651,675 Family of James Baldwin, Mike Boyle, Local 400 staff, Loss of Brother 15 OTHER ACCOUNTS Shoppers Food & Pharmacy OR INVESTMENTS William Gibson, Kroger 523, Loss of Wife Congratulations (Bond, Stocks, Credit Union, Family of Karen Cohen, Giant 798 Lynda R Williams, Local 400 staff, Retired Building Funds, etc.) 124,148 Family of Sandra Johnson, Giant 781 Russell Wise, Local 400 staff, Retired 16 LESS: LIABILITIES (other than Rent, Utilities, Withholding and Per Capita Tax) 1,298,746 Congressman Tom Perriello Continued from page 7 “Tom Perriello has more than earned we can show his colleagues that stand- 17 TOTAL WORTH OF LOCAL UNION (Totals of lines 11, 12, 13, another term in Congress, but just as ing up for what’s right is the smartest 14, and 15 minus line 16 3,402,212 important, by helping to re-elect him, way to stay in office,” McNutt said.

32 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 Attention: Employees of Shoppers Food & Pharmacy 2011Annual Scholarship Awards f you work for the company listed above, under the provisions of your contract, you and Iyour dependents may be eligible for the Scholarship Fund Program. Entry Deadline: December 31, 2010 Just fill out the preliminary application below and mail it to the Fund office postmarked by December 31, 2010. In January of 2011, eligible applicants will be sent additional information from the Fund.

Cut and mail

Employee Information SCHOLARSHIP Name ______Social Security Number ______FUND Employer ______Home Address ______he Scholarship Fund expects to be awarding schol- City, State, Zip Code ______Tarships to a select number of eligible participants Home Phone Number______and their dependents who will be attending college or a E-Mail Address ______university as full-time students in the fall of 2011. Participants and their dependents are eligible to apply Applicant’s Information for a scholarship award if the participant completes at Name ______least one year of Service as of December 31, 2010 and Social Security Number ______is actively employed as of that date. In addition, Date of Birth ______dependent applicants must be under the age of 24 on (If Dependent of Employee) December 31, 2010. Mail applications to: PRELIMINARY Applicants who submit preliminary applications and APPLICATIONS Fund Office meet the initial scholarship award requirements will be MUST BE POSTMARKED Scholarship Program mailed the full application form in early January of BY DECEMBER 31, 2010. 911 Ridgebrook Rd. 2011. Sparks, MD 21152-9451

SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 UNION LEADER 33 LOCAL 400 RETIREES Commodore Minh Q Lam, Chantilly, Va., 23 years Kaiser Permanente John Elliott, Danville, Md., 22 years Gene E Lawrence, Washington, D.C., Mary G Davis, Stafford, Va., 20 years 8 years Giant Kroger Phil T Le, Fairfax, Va., 20 years Lester W Kennedy III, Buena Vista, Va., Thelma M Bell, Waldorf, Md., 21 years Dealter A Lewis, Alexandria, Va., 39 years Leroy A Bellamy, Woodbridge, Va., 31 19 years years John M Webb, Richmond, Va., 5 years Edward C Lui, Wheaton, Md., 18 years Bertha L Burrows, Gaithersburg, Md., Linda K Williams, Sacramento, Calif., John C Martzolf, Rockville, Md., 43 years 30 years 12 years Bernard A Murphy Jr, Cobb Island, Md., Georgia I Coates, Leesburg, Va., 31 years 30 years Shoppers Harold E Cox, Hyattsville, Md., 37 years Allen B Painter, Silver Spring, Md., Mohammad Aslan, Springfield, Va., Tamera N Croyle, Bowie, Md., 30 years 44 years 30 years Patricia D Cunningham, Clifton, Va., Elbert W Pennington, Fairfax, Va., James E Bolt Jr, Falls Church, Va., 4 years 19 years 40 years Alan R Campbell, Landover, Md., 20 years Anthony S Damato, Fairfax, Va., 34 years Teresina Prologo, Silver Spring, Md., Boy Jean Leong, Silver Spring, Md., Franklin D Davenport, Fredericksburg, 21 years 23 years Md., 33 years Mitchell R Reed, Burke, Va., 25 years Edward L McDonald, Burke, Va., 11 years Leroy Gardner Jr, Washington, D.C., 41 years Lezlie C Reigel, Leesburg, Va., 31 years Teresa T Montes, Herndon, Va., 10 years Joan P Guiles, Leonardtown, Md., 9 years Mary R Ronan, Deale, Md., 30 years Gregory R Morrison, Sterling, Va., 44 years Tammy A Hagberg, Monrovia, Md., Dorothy M Rowley, Hyattsville, Md., 30 years 36 years Jerry W Mullins, Bumpass, Va., 15 years Kathleen J Hart, Bradentown, Fla., Rufus R Stith, Upper Marlboro, Md., Maliha O Popal, Alexandria, Va., 20 years 30 years 38 years Donna H Steiner, Warfordsburg, Pa., Timothy C Hughes, Glenwood, Md., Robert M Strickland, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 20 years 31 years 32 years Bruce G Walters, Smithsburg, Md., 24 years Mary E Jackson, Washington, D.C., Athana L Svenson, Annandale, Va., Sheila L Whitmore, Temple Hills, Md., 33 years 29 years 17 years Ronald K Jenkins, Bealeton, Va., 36 years Laiwah Tang, Alexandria, Va., 21 years Syms Emma J Taylor, Manassas, Va., 21 years Howard R Johnson Sr, Washington, D.C., Bernadine F Dyer, Rockville, Md., 16 years 22 years Warren P Tisdale, Montgomery Village, Roy L Kitts Sr, Woodbridge, Va., 35 years Md., 26 years UFCW Local 400 Anthony R Kozel Jr, Springfield, Va., Richard A Walters, Germantown, Md., Lynda R Williams, Burke, Va., 40 years 11 years 30 years Russell Wise, Waldorf, Md., 40 years

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PHONE NO. ______COMPANY & STORE NO.______TELÉPHONO 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.

34 UNION LEADER SEPT./OCT./NOV. 2010 Tea Party Anger Misdirected

eople are angry. And for good profits. By contrast, during the recovery millionaires, oppose efforts to penalize cor- reason. from the 1981-82 recession, corporations porations that move jobs offshore, and Nearly 15 million workers kept just 10 percent of the gains. want to slash regulations that protect P are officially unemployed and 6 It’s little wonder that people are mad. workers and consumers from health, safe- million more have Unfortunately, that ty and workplace abuses. Most significant- stopped looking for anger has been exploit- ly, they oppose giving workers a free and work. Another 8.5 mil- Unions are ed by the Tea Party to fair choice about whether to join a union. lion workers want full- advance an agenda And that goes to the heart of the prob- time jobs but can only the answer to only big business could lem. The main reason working families find part-time work. love. are suffering so much is because the per- Millions more are The candidates centage of workers belonging to unions is “gainfully” employed, our economic backed by the Tea declining. With only 7 percent of private but earning less than Party are extremists sector workers unionized today, it’s no their last job. Overall, crisis. who would turn a bad coincidence that unemployment is high, our standard of living situation into a catas- wages are down, and corporations are is stagnant or declining. trophe for working families. Consider these rolling in profits while workers need food Even before the recession hit in 2008, three Tea Party-endorsed candidates run- stamps just to eat. things were getting worse. Between 1980 ning for Senate: In Kentucky, Rand Paul It’s unions that are the answer to our and 2005, more than 80 percent of the (R) called Social Security a “Ponzi economic crisis. Only unions give work- increase in incomes went into the pockets Scheme” and said it was “un-American” for ers the power to share the prosperity they of the richest 1 percent, leaving 99 per- President Obama to criticize BP over the help create. Only unions give workers the cent of us to scramble for the remaining Gulf oil spill. In Nevada, Sharron Angle (R) power to increase their economic stand- 20 percent. As a result, income inequality called extending unemployment benefits “a ing, protect their rights, and gain job, in the U.S. is now worse than in third terrible thing” and said, “We need to phase health and retirement security. That’s world countries like Guyana, Nicaragua out Medicare and Social Security.” In why labor and the political leaders who and Venezuela. Alaska, Sarah Palin protégé Joe Miller (R) support working families must seize con- Over the past year, the economy has argues that government should not pay for trol of the debate and redirect voter anger started to rebound because productivity unemployment insurance, that Medicaid into advocacy for the real solutions that has skyrocketed, but workers aren’t bene- should be eliminated, and that Medicare will improve our lives. fiting because corporations are keeping and Social Security should be privatized. Mark P. Federici 85 percent of the money generated in The Tea Partiers support tax cuts for Secretary-Treasurer

SEPT./OCT./NOV.2010 UNION LEADER 35 United Food and Commercial Nonprofit Org. Workers Local 400 U.S. Postage 4301 Garden City Drive PAID Landover, MD 20785 Hyattsville, MD Permit No. 4084

Change Service Requested

GOING LIVE NOVEMBER 1ST! The New and Improved Local 400 Website at www.ufcw400.org Local 400’s redesigned website puts all the information you need right at your fingertips, with a cleaner look, clear naviga- tion and easy interaction. It includes a special members section with pages on collec- tive bargaining, union benefits and discounts, scholarships, dues, and opportunities to volunteer to help your brothers and sisters. Stewards will have their own area where they can enhance their education with learning modules. And you’ll find the lat- est news, electronic copies of the Union Leader, political and legislative information and a host of other resources. So starting November 1st, please go to www.ufcw400.org and make good use of our new, state-of-the-art website!