Members Will Have Their Voices Heard in Critical November 6 Election
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Their Position on Unions is Just One Difference Between the Presidential Candidates President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney have very different positions on issues important to workers and their families. See page two for information on which of the candidates is on your side. The Voice of Fall 2012 Registered and Ready to Vote Members will Have their Voices Heard in Critical November 6 Election For workers in Michigan and across the Think One Vote country, the stakes couldn’t be higher in the Doesn’t Count? November 6 general election. A Message from 951 Members: VOTE “I know it sounds like a cliché, but this really Think Again! is the most important election of our lifetime,” “In this country, people have an opportunity that many John Cakmakci, UFCW 951 president, said. people in other parts of the world don’t have: the chance to These facts from some very “The outcome of this election will determine vote freely. In other countries, people have guns put to their close elections show one vote if we continue to have a viable middle class in necks and are forced to vote a certain way. Or their house is does count. this country or if America will become a land of the “haves” and “have nots.” burnt down if they speak up and exercise their right to vote. l One vote per precinct For over a year, UFCW 951 has been passed women’s suffrage in Here there is none of that. In America there is no reason not working to ensure members are registered to go out and vote for candidates who will California in 1911. and ready to vote on November 6 in support support workers.” James Saydee, Meijer #52 l In 1916, one vote in each of candidates and proposals that will protect California precinct re-elected members’ livelihoods, preserve the middle Woodrow Wilson to the class and grow the economy. presidency over Charles E. “We registered over 1,300 members and “It’s important to vote. If you don’t vote, if you don’t try Hughes. provided all members with information on to make a difference and have your voice heard, then you the candidates and proposals,” Cakmakci said. don’t have a right to complain. ” l In 1948, Lyndon Johnson, “Members are registered and informed. They the future 36th president, need to take one last step to ensure their Alice Hanna, Kroger #887 became a U.S. senator by a voice is heard; they must vote.” one vote margin. Even better, they should bring their family and friends to the polls and encourage them l In 1960, John F. Kennedy “We need to strengthen our unions and the middle was elected president by one to vote for worker friendly candidates and in vote per precinct in Illinois, favor of proposals that will benefit all workers. class. We need to vote, and vote for the best candidates Missouri, New Jersey and Additional information on the candidates who will protect workers and workers’ rights.” and ballot proposals appears throughout this Texas. Randy Zok, Meijer #19 edition of The Voice of 951. l In 1962, one vote per precinct determined the Governors of Maine, Rhode Island and North Dakota. l In 1977, Robert Emond won Members Say “YES” to Proposal 2 his race for Vermont state representative by one vote. “I am vot- “Proposal “I’m sup- l In 1989, a Lansing, MI school ing ‘Yes’ on 2 helps all porting district millage proposition Proposal 2 workers Proposal 2 failed when the final vote to protect by giving because I ended in a tie, causing the Proposal 2 would place the unions. every- believe in right to collectively bargain in the school district to reduce its You have body a workers’ Michigan Constitution. Collective budget by $2.5 million. to have a seat at rights and bargaining keeps workers safe on union behind you. If you the table to make impor- believe the job and provides everyone don’t, you don’t have any- tant decisions about their Proposal 2 provides a with a voice to negotiate for fair thing. This election is very much needed counter wages, benefits and pensions. Even jobs, including safety workers who do not participate important because they are issues for police and fire- weight against corporate in collective bargaining benefit trying to take away our col- fighters and class size for special interests.” because the standards set in con- lective bargaining rights.” teachers.” Stephanie Meerman, Meijer tracts become industry standards. Philomena Rose, Meijer #242 Spencer Tobias, Kroger #888 #71 Who’s on Your Side...................................Page 2 The Romney-Ryan Budget.......................Page 2 Membership Meetings..............................Page 2 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Official publication of United Food and Commercial Meijer Benefits Open Enrollment ...........Page 2 Workers Local 951, CTW & CLC 3270 Evergreen Drive N.E.; Grand Rapids, MI 49525 President’s Message..................................Page 3 Executive Officers • President John Cakmakci Secretary-Treasurer Dave Way • Recorder Karin Hopman UFCW 951 Members for Obama............Page 3 Executive Vice Presidents Morna Holt & Shirley Perez Toll-free: 1.800.999.0951 • Direct: 1.616.361.7683 Michigan’s U.S. Senate Candidates.........Page 3 Fax: 1.616.447.1000 UFCW Michigan Endorsements..............Page 4 Email: [email protected] Inside Website: www.ufcw951.com Election 2012 Who’s on Your Side? President CEO Bain Capital or Barack Obama Mitt Romney Keeping Jobs In America. Obama will eliminate tax breaks Outsourcing American Jobs. Romney has been called a "pio- ✓ for companies that ship jobs overseas. [The Washington Post, 5/14/12] X neer" of outsourcing as a CEO of Bain Capital, and supports a tax plan that will encourage companies to ship even more jobs overseas. Standing Up For American Jobs. Obama took a prin- [The Washington Post, 6/21/12; Romney Op-Ed, The Wall Street Journal, 2/23/12; cipled stand to reinvest in the American auto industry, saving a Citizens for Tax Justice, 3/23/11] million good jobs and millions more that depend on the auto ✓ industry. The U.S. auto industry is roaring back, adding jobs and Destroying American Companies. Romney said we should all government loans were paid back ahead of time. X "let Detroit go bankrupt." It makes sense considering he made his [Chicago Tribune, 6/4/11; The Wall Street Journal, 11/17/10] fortune destroying American companies and forcing them to close plants, lay off workers and eliminate pensions and health care. Bringing Back Tax Fairness. Obama believes the richest [The New York Times, 6/23/12] 2% of Americans should pay their fair share of taxes. ✓ [ABC News, 6/26/12] Taxing the Middle Class. According to the non-partisan Tax X Policy Center, Romney's plan will actually raise taxes by $2,000 for Passed Wall Street Reform. Obama signed a new law middle-class households while cutting taxes for the wealthy. which tightens capital requirements on large banks, limiting their [CBS News, 8/1/12] ✓ ability to trade with customers' money for their own profit. [Washington Monthly, 04/1/12] President Obama Works for Workers CEO Romney Helps the Rich get Richer Under Obama: 31 Straight Months of Job Growth The Romney-Ryan Budget: What You Need to Know Before President Obama took office, the economy was losing 800,000 jobs a “A disastrous new budget that would leave millions of month. Under the Obama administration, the country has seen 31 consecutive months of job growth and 5.2 million new private sector jobs. U.S. manufactur- struggling families desperate for food, shelter and health ing has added 459,000 jobs since January 2010—the most growth in a decade. care, and Mr. Romney has embraced it.” New York Times, 3/29/12 Mitt Romney opposed the Recovery Act, opposed the auto industry rescue, Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is supporting the budget authored by his and said that we should let the housing market “hit the bottom.” running mate Paul Ryan. Opposed by president Obama, the “Ryan Budget” remained just an idea. However, should the duo win the November 6 election, Private Sector Job Creation they will work to implement the terms of the Ryan Budget on the country. December 2007 to March 2012 Under the Ryan Budget: Private sector monthly Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics l Those making $1 million or more would enjoy an average tax cut of $265,000. job change, thousands. Meanwhile, many working families would see their taxes raised. 300K Obama takes office l Medicare would be turned into a voucher program, costing the average senior 200K an additional $6,350 per year. 100K 0 l Social Security would be cut for those who need it most, while the retirement -100K age would be raised. -200K -300K l Pell Grant scholarships would be cut for 10 million students. -400K March 2012 March -500K l Food stamps would be slashed by $134 billion over 10 years. -600K -700K Winners Under the Ryan Budget Losers Under the Ryan Budget -800K 4 CEOs 7 Seniors -900K 4 Millionaires 7 Students Dec. June Dec. June Dec. June Dec. June Dec. 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011 2011 4 Billionaires 7 Workers 4 Special Interests 7 The Middle Class UFCW 951’s 2013 Quarterly Membership Meetings Attention Meijer Members Meetings occur on different days for each region. Regions will rotate the day of the week they hold Quarterly Meetings. Open Membership meetings are one way you can ask questions, get involved and hear what’s going on with your employer, your industry, and your Union! All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.