UFCW

Official Publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers Union October 2012

Tentative agreement with Rite Aid submitted VOTE! to members in So. Calif.

he seven UFCW unions in Southern reached a tentative agreement with Rite Aid on Sept. 25. The pro- posed contract was promptly submitted to Rite Aid’s T union members for ratification. Results of the ratification vote and details and details of the agreement will be featured in the next issue of the Desert Edge. The agreement was announced by leaders of UFCW Locals 8, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442, which represent Rite Aid PRESIDENT’S REPORT workers between Kern County and the Mexican border. “I am so proud of you for sticking together in the quest to protect your health benefits,” UFCW Local 1167 President Workers need more Bill Lathrop told the Rite Aid members. “Thank you for your strength and solidarity!” friends in government s the Nov. 6 elections draw closer, Califor ni ans are reading up on the candi- dates and issues.

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S tor to consider when deciding whether a candidate deserves your vote. The most important factor by far is the candidate’s commitment to support the goals of working peo- ple. While friends of labor usually gravitate toward the Democratic s r

e Party, this is not always the case. k

r By Bill Lathrop o For example, Gloria Romero, the W

l former Democratic leader in the California Senate, announced her a i

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t . u u o o Please see page 3 i t i t o O e n n e l . R P B U U R PAGE 2 DESERT EDGE OCTOBER 2012

JUST RETIRED the industry for 31 years with Stater The month of August brought us Bros. and Safeway. several new retirees. Joining the Congratulations to all of our new ranks of the retirees are Steve retirees! We wish you many healthy, Bigelow, Aaron Chavez, Roger happy years ahead to enjoy your Connell, Jacobus DeKiewiet, well-earned retirements! Dorae Falwell and Debbie JUST MARRIED YOUR UNION Pederson. Steve Bigelow retired Misty Kelley, Stater Bros., mar- after 41 years in the industry. Steve ried Jonnall Biggers on June 22. ... worked for Alpha Beta, Ralphs and Justin Van Demark, Stater Bros., What’s Stater Bros. Aaron Chavez worked took Cassandra Avalos to be his for Stater Bros. for 33 years as a bride on Aug. 9. The wedding was Happening meatcutter. Roger Connell worked held in Moreno Valley and the happy by Maureen McCabe for Albertsons and Lucky for 36 couple honeymooned in Oceanside. years. Jacobus DeKiewiet worked ... Monica Perea, Stater Bros., mar- for Stater Bros. for 37 years. Dorae ried Alejandro Holguin on July 27 in Falwell worked for Vons for 33 Las Vegas. years. Debbie Pederson worked in Congratulations to all of our new- lyweds!

JUST BORN Andrew Lyman into the world on Lorina Contreras, Vons, has a new Anastacia Rivas, Stater Bros., Aug. 7. Jason weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. son. Ruben Rolando was born on welcomed Benjamin Russell ... Jesus Ontiveros, Stater Bros., Aug. 17, weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. and Happy Barreras on July 29. Benjamin and his wife, Marie, proudly measured 21 inches. Lorina writes, weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. ... Larry announce the birth of their first baby “Mommy and Daddy love you, baby Halloween! Garcia, Rite Aid, has a new daugh- girl on Aug. 11. Deanna Marie boy!” ... Byron Giovanni Ferrer, ter. Emmalee Grace was born on weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. ... Demetrius Stater Bros., proudly announces the July 31, weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. and Morales, Stater Bros., has a new birth of Averie Sky on Aug. 19. measured 19 ½ oz. ... Laura son. Julian Ethan was born on Aug. Averie weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. ... Make it Valenzuela, Food 4 Less, is the 14, weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and meas- Dennis Yip, Rite Aid, welcomed proud mother of a beautiful baby ured 20 inches. ... Diego Ramirez, Violet Sum Haun Yip on Aug. 24. boy. Mason was born on Aug. 6 and Stater Bros., is pleased to announce Violet weighed 6 lbs. and .74 oz. safe weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. ... Ann the arrival of Elena Marie on Aug. Congratulations to all of our new and sane Kitchen, Ralphs, welcomed Jason 16. Elena weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. ... moms and dads! on Oct. 31! IN MEMORIAM Your dues Neil Carruthers, a retired general merchandise clerk formerly employed by Alpha Beta, died on Aug. 2 at the age of 85. He had been a continuous member since are now May 1970. Clyde Geeslin, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Alamo, Crocker's, Food payable! DESERT EDGE King, Market Basket, Mayfair Market, Ray's, Sav-on Drug and Stater Bros. Markets, Bill Lathrop died on Aug. 23 at the age of 77. He had been a member since August 1952. If you are one of the few members of the Editor local who are not yet signed up for dues Margaret Isom, a retired general merchandise clerk formerly employed by Official monthly publication of checkoff: OCTOBER DUES ARE NOW DUE Mayfair, Food King, Smith’s and Vons, died on Aug. 12 at the age of 91. She had Local 1167, United Food and Commercial AND PAYABLE. IF YOUR DUES ARE NOT been a continuous member since September 1969. Workers International Union, San PAID ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial Counties, California. Eugene Metherell, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Safeway, died on 2012, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY SUS- PEND YOURSELF. 855 West San Bernardino Ave. Aug. 21 at the age of 84. He had been a continuous member since February 1952. Bloomington, California Victor Moore, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Safeway and White Front, With dues checkoff, all future dues can be (Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.) deducted automatically from your pay (Closed Sat., Sun. and holidays) died on Aug. 6 at the age of 85. He had been a continuous member since January P.O. Box 1167 1972. check. If you do not have an authorization Bloomington, CA 92316 form, call the local and one will be sent to William Moore, an affiliated member formerly employed by Alpha Beta, died on you immediately. Telephone Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 24 at the age of 82. He had been a member since November 1990. Business Telephone: Non-payment or payment of the incor- (909) 877-5000 Marjorie Plante, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Lucky Stores, died on rect amount will automatically suspend Toll-Free Telephone: Aug. 8 at the age of 76. She had been a member since November 1974. you — a costly and inconvenient mis- (800) 698-UFCW take. Although not required, the local, Teresa Robinson, a retired general merchandise clerk formerly employed by Food and Meat Division Insurance: as a courtesy, normally sends billing (909) 877-1110 Stater Bros. Markets, died on Aug. 31 at the age of 68. She had been a member notices by first-class mail to those not since June 1990. Drug & General Sales Division on dues checkoff. It is the member’s Insurance: Mary Snyder, a retired drug clerk formerly employed by Rite Aid, died on Sept. obligation to pay dues in a timely man- (909) 877-2331 11 at the age of 71. She had been a member since May 1972. ner. Not receiving a notice is not an excuse for failure to pay dues on time. Lupe Villalobos, a retired drug clerk formerly employed by Thrifty Drug, died on Avoid suspension. Authorize Publisher Aug. 21 at the age of 74. She had been a member since November 1971. dues checkoff today! 869-M 100% Union Shop Our condolences go to the families of these deceased members. OCTOBER 2012 DESERT EDGE PAGE 3

PRESIDENT’S REPORT UNION REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT Friends in government Our right to vote is an Continued from front page enthusiastic support of labor approved by the voters in unions. President Theodore American freedom November, corporations would Roosevelt said “It is essential have the upper hand in political that there be organization of fundraising and the effects would labor.” And when President Don’t let apathy get in the way be devastating for working peo- Richard Nixon ran for reelection ple. in 1972, he was endorsed by the t happens every year. Seeing past party lines Teamsters union. Politicians in our commu- It is our job as informed union nity and across the coun- Looking at the other side of voters to ensure that, regardless try will try to take away the aisle, it’s been difficult to I of their political affiliations, the hard-earned accomplish- find many Republicans with pro- politicians who support us are ments won by unions in the union voting records, but they rewarded and those who oppose past few decades. exist. For example, in June, the us are punished. That is the Just look throughout this California Labor Federation American way. issue to see what they’re trying endorsed Republican That’s why Gloria Romero, to do to working families with Assemblyman Jeff Gorell in who is now out of office, should- Proposition 32! Ventura County along with his n’t count on the support of work- Fortunately, we have the Democratic challenger, Tom ing people if she ever decides to power to fight back and defend Mullens. reenter politics. what we have. That power The federation also endorsed On pages 7 and 8 of this resides in the ballot box. Republican Les Baugh for the newspaper are candidates who It is crucial for all of us to California Senate seat in Shasta By Alan Kontra have worked hard and cast votes use that power for the sake of County. He is currently running on legislation that favors working working families everywhere. Indeed, the future of the middle for county supervisor. people. That’s why they deserve class is at stake! In Indiana and Illinois, a pro- to have their names listed in this As union members, we don’t have the option of taking the union group called Lunch Pail newspaper. easy way and letting others make the important issues for us. Republicans is rallying to “take There are too many powerful corporations out there using their back our party” from anti-worker riches to confuse the voters and get them to vote against their — politicians like former and our — interests. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. We must answer their lies and speak the truth. And, most The group has endorsed the re- importantly, we must vote. election of U.S. Sen. Richard Election Day, Nov. 6, is around the corner, and we must be Lugar (R-Ind.). ready to step forward and fulfill our obligations as union mem- There was a time when many bers and as citizens. more Republicans earned the Make your voice heard Unfortunately, only about half of all Americans register and vote reliably. Those who don’t are putting their freedoms in the hands of others. One reason for this lack of participation in the electoral CORRECT ADDRESS AND process is that too many people believe their votes don’t count. Or they say they are too busy to vote. Or they just forgot to reg- ister. All of these are poor excuses, but none of them is as sad PHONE NUMBER A MUST as “I don’t care about voting.” We take our freedoms for granted because we live in a coun- You lose out if there is no correct address and telephone number on file for try relatively free of oppression. To ensure we keep it that way, you. We know the problem: people move frequently. But it only takes a phone we have to vote to protect our interests. call, a minute with the union rep or a letter to our office. It could avoid a big It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican, Democrat, problem with a hospital, medical claim or pension inquiry. Libertarian, Tea Partier or whatever –– voting is essential to having your voice heard in our democracy. How do you register? To learn how, contact your Union Rep or call the union office. And once you are registered, be sure to vote for labor-friendly candidates and causes. It PAYS to be UNION! You can use the list of union endorsements on page 7 as a guide when your vote on Nov. 6. SEPTEMBER 2012 Vote to protect your job! Vote for the survival of the middle 2012 TOTAL class! Back pay and benefits $2,308.51 $34,890.94 restored to members Members reinstated 20 229 Grievances settled 66 594 Vote NO on Prop. 32 PAGE 4 DESERT EDGE OCTOBER 2012 Facts about Prop 32 If the “Corporate Deception” ballot initiatives is approved by California voters, unions across the state will lose their voice in the political arena. Read the facts and then tell friends and family to vote NO on Prop. 32.

Proposition 32, set to appear on the November ballot, threatens our jobs, wages and retirement by prohibiting Unions from standing up to corporate special interests. While the measure’s wealthy backers falsely claim it’s about “stopping special interests,” it’s actually designed to weaken Unions to give corporate CEOs even more power to boost their profits by cutting jobs, eliminating retirement security and reducing wages. It’s the first of a one-two punch to give even more control of government to powerful corporate special interests.

FACT: Prop. 32 eliminates Union members in both the public and private sectors FACT: Prop. 32 exempts secretive Super PACs and corporate front groups, from having a voice. As a result, teachers, nurses, firefighters and all Union which can raise unlimited amounts of money from corporate special interests workers would be unable to fight back against corporate special interests on like Walmart and billionaires like the Koch Brothers to support their candi- issues that matter to everyone – like jobs, better wages, school and college fund- dates or defeat their enemies. The measure does nothing to prevent anony- ing, police and fire response times, patient safety and workplace protections. mous donors from spending unlimited amounts to influence elections. Since “…would harm their Union opponents more than it would harm business these secretive Super PACs and anonymous donors don’t contribute directly interests.” – OC Register, 8/11/11 to candidates, they are exempted by the measure and can continue to receive and spend unlimited amounts of money on politics. According to the Wall Street Journal, as of May 2012, Super PACS, like Karl Rove’s Crossroads FACT: Prop. 32 is funded by corporate executives and millionaires associated with the anti-union Lincoln Club of Orange County, which played a key role GPS, had already spent more than $109 million in the 2012 elections. in backing the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that gutted federal “…would just expand unaccountable independent expenditure committees, campaign finance reform. The Lincoln Club and other wealthy funders like the super-PACs.” – L.A. Times, 4/26/12 billionaire Jerry Perenchio wrote in special exemptions to the measure for themselves, allowing them – and the companies and organizations they con- FACT: Prop. 32 was deceptively written to limit the voice of Union workers trol – to continue spending with NO limits on political campaigns. and create exemptions for corporate special interests. The “Special “The Lincoln Club of Orange County had a big hand in the landmark Exemptions Act” claims it will stop corporations and Unions from collect- Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, ing political funds through payroll deductions – but corporations don’t use which opened the floodgate of special-interest money in presidential politics.” payroll deductions to collect funds to support or oppose candidates or bal- – California Watch, 3/13/12 lot measures; they use their corporate profits. The measure is unbalanced, designed to severely restrict Unions while doing NOTHING to curb corpo- rate influence over our elections. FACT: Prop. 32 is NOT campaign finance reform. The wealthy backers of this initiative created special exemptions for Wall Street hedge funds, real estate “…a phony veneer of fairness…one-sided and biased.” – Long Beach Press investors, insurance companies and other well-heeled special interests, allow- Telegram, 8/21/11 ing them to continue contributing directly to political candidates. Limited lia- bility companies (LLC), limited liability partnerships (LLP), limited partner- FACT: Corporations already outspend Unions 15-1 in politics. This measure ships (LP), business trusts, real estate investment trusts (REIT) and sole pro- would make the system even more imbalanced. The backers’ goal is to clear prietorships – which are among some of the largest companies in the state — the playing field of any opposition to the agenda of big corporations which are all exempted under the initiative. includes outsourcing jobs, gutting homeowner protections, slashing wages “It’s dripping with cynicism… It certainly won’t prevent one-percenters from and health benefits and attacking retirement security. getting their two cents in, or their $2 million.” – Sacramento Bee, 12/22/11 “If working people like teachers, nurses, plumbers and grocery clerks are silenced, large corporations and business interests will have free rein to do whatever they want to grow their profits, even if that comes at the expense of Despite the proponents’ claims that this initiative is geared toward “getting spe- what’s left of our middle class.” – San Jose Mercury News op-ed, 3/2/12 cial interest money out of politics,” the truth is that it’s designed to silence work- ing people while giving corporate CEOs and the very wealthy free rein to exert FACT: Non-partisan groups that advocate for policies curbing special interest limitless influence on government and our lives. This initiative is misleading, influence in politics are urging voters to REJECT the measure. The League of deceptive and full of consequences that hurt all of us. Prop. 32 does Women Voters, California Common Cause, Public Citizen and Public absolutely nothing to limit special interest influence on politics Campaign have all spoken out against the deceptive measure. while severely curtailing working people’s ability to stand up to “It is little more than an attack on labor masquerading as campaign finance powerful corporate interests. The result would be a devastating tilt in reform.” – Public Citizen, 2/10/12 power to big banks, corporate CEOs and billionaires that would further under- “…will do more harm to California’s democracy than good.” – California mine California’s middle class. Common Cause, 5/11/12 OCTOBER 2012 DESERT EDGE PAGE 5

MEMBERS AT WORK Stater Bros. 119 Hemet

MEMBERS AT WORK Rite Aid 6293 San Jacinto PAGE 6 DESERT EDGE OCTOBER 2012 On issue after issue, President Obama stands with working families while Mitt Romney stands with the top 1 percent President Obama Mitt Romney

Jobs: President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvest ment Act saved or creat- Jobs: Romney called for letting the auto industry go bankrupt, he’s for job-killing ed 3.6 million jobs and kept us from falling into a depression. His policies have spending cuts and he wants to retain tax breaks for companies that move jobs helped add more than 4.3 million private sector jobs and he saved the auto indus- offshore. try from collapse.

Workers’ Rights: Romney wants to enact a national “right-to-work-for-less” law Workers’ Rights: President Obama moved aggressively to protect workers’ that would drive down wages and benefits, and he called the president’s NLRB rights, pay and workplace health and safety. He appointed strong labor advocates appointees “labor stooges.” to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which issued regulations making union representation elections more fair. Health Care: Romney would repeal the — even though it was modeled on his own statewide health care reform bill in Massachusetts — undoing Health Care: President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act that will provide all of its benefits and protections for tens of millions of Americans. This action would health insurance for 33 million Americans, stop insurance companies from denying also increase the budget deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next two decades. coverage due to pre-existing conditions and prevent millions of people from going bankrupt due to medical costs. Already, 54 million Americans have received preven- tive coverage with no out-of-pocket costs and 2.5 million more young adults have Federal Budget: Romney would add $10.7 trillion to the debt over the next health insurance. decade by cutting taxes for millionaires — he would cut his own already-low taxes in half — and by increasing defense spending. At the same time, he wants to slash investments in education, homeland security, food inspection, health research, Federal Budget: President Obama is working to balance the budget over the long transportation, food aid, veterans’ health care, Medicare, Medicaid and Social term through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases on the wealthiest Security. Americans.

Social Security and Medicare: Romney wants to end Medicare as we know it by Social Security and Medicare: President Obama is working to strengthen the converting it into a voucher program that will end the guarantee of benefits and pillars of senior citizens’ retirement and health security. force senior citizens to pay far more out of pocket. His budget would likely result in a 40 percent cut in Social Security benefits.

Wall Street Reform: President Obama led the charge for and signed the most comprehensive reform of the financial industry since the 1930s to prevent the risk- Wall Street Reform: Romney wants to repeal the financial industry reform law taking and abuses that caused the crash of 2008. and let Wall Street run amok again.

Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency, Here’s why Paul Ryan Ryan and Romney etc. — and $284 billion to “manda- tory” programs — military, gov- are pushing ernment salaries, Medicare, is wrong for America Medicaid, Social Security, etc. — the same old would result in a loss of 4.1 million By President Bill Lathrop with a voucher system. This jobs by 2014, according to the t seems each election year is would force seniors to pay $1,200 disproved theories Economic Policy Institute. dubbed as “the most critical of more for their health care by 2030 When President Obama took our time,” but it’s truer this year and $5,900 by 2050. Ryan also that created the office in 2009, he acknowledged that I than ever. would raise the age of eligibility four years would not be enough time On Nov. 6, we will have two clear to 67. Nearly 70 percent of Great Recession to undo all the damage that was done choices to make, between progress Americans favor the current state to the economy during President and regression. of Medicare, so why does Ryan in the first place. George W. Bush’s two terms. But the When Mitt Romney chose Rep. want to do away with it? automotive industry is alive because Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his run- • Ryan’s proposed revisions to the tax President Obama invested in it, sav- ning mate, he confirmed what many code would extend President Bush’s their pensions. A study by the ing 1.45 million good middle-class of his critics have said about his tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent Center for American Progress jobs. The American Recovery and campaign — that it caters to the while allowing President Obama’s Action Fund found that if persons Reinvestment Act, which he signed most extreme elements in his party. tax cuts for lower- and middle-class with privatized Social Security in 2009, saved millions more. Romney chose a man whose agenda Americans to expire. Additional tax accounts in 2005 had invested all In contrast, Ryan and Romney are is so radical that it would destroy the increases could be forced on the 99 of their pension earnings in the pushing the same old disproved theo- middle class in America. percent to compensate for Ryan’s stock market, they would have ries that created the Great Recession In case you’re not familiar with tax cuts for the rich. been devastated by the market’s in the first place. Paul Ryan, here are some of the • Ryan advocates privatization of crash in 2008 The choice before us is clear. many reasons working Americans Social Security, forcing Americans • Ryan’s proposed cuts of $120 bil- Please be sure you are registered to should vote against him: to rely on the stock market and lion to “discretionary” programs — vote, and then cast your vote for • He wants to replace Medicare other risky investments to build education, Veterans Affairs, Obama-Biden on Nov. 6. OCTOBER 2012 DESERT EDGE PAGE 7

TAKE THIS PAGE WITH YOU TO THE POLLS ON TUESDAY, NOV. 6 San Bernardino and Riverside Central Labor Council COPE Endorsements

BALLOT MEASURES President Proposition 30: Temporary taxes to fund education. Guaranteed local public safety funding. Senator Vote YES 8th Congressional District - Proposition 31: State budget. State and local government. 21st Senate District - Star Moffatt Vote NO 33rd Assembly District - John Coffey 35th Congressional District - Gloria Negrete McLeod 36th Congressional District - Dr. Proposition 32: Special Exemptions Act 40th Assembly District - Russ Warner Vote NO 41st Congressional District - 42nd Assembly District - Mark Orozco Proposition 33: Changes law to allow auto insurance 47th Assembly District - , Jr. companies to set prices based on a driver’s history of 52nd Assembly District - insurance coverage. 56th Assembly District - Manuel Perez Vote NO 60th Assembly District - Jose Luis Perez 61st Assembly District - Jose Medina Proposition 34: Death penalty repeal. 23rd District - Melissa Ruth O’Donnell Vote YES Calexico Unified School District - Tony Valenzuela Cathedral City Mayor - Chip Yarborough Proposition 35: Human trafficking, penalties, sex offender Cathedral City, City Council - Greg Pettis registration. Cathedral City, City Council - Paul Marchand Vote YES Chino Valley School Board - Gloria Harrison Chino Valley School Board - Irene Hernandez-Blair Proposition 36: Three strikes revision. Sentencing for Colton City Council District 5 - John Mitchell repeat felony offenders. Colton City Council Ward 6 - Alex Perez Vote YES Fontana City Council - Lydia Salazar-Wibert Fontana City Council - Matthew Slowik Proposition 37: Mandatory labeling for genetically Mayor of Coachella - Eduardo Garcia engineered foods. Mayor of Rialto - Deborah Robertson Vote YES Moreno Valley City Council District 1 - Daryl Terrell Moreno Valley City Council District 3 - Thomas Ketcham Proposition 38: Tax for education and early childhood Moreno Valley City Council District 5 - LaDonna Jempson Moreno Valley School Board - Dr. Denise Fleming programs. Murrieta City Council - Paul Clay Vote NO Redlands City Council - Riverside Superior Court Judge Seat 1 - Tom Eckhardt Proposition 39: Tax treatment for multistate businesses. San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees - John Futch Clean energy and energy efficiency funding. San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees - John Longville No Recommendation San Bernardino County Supervisor 1st District - Rick Roelle Val Verde Unified School Board - Marti Rodriguez-Harris Proposition 40: Redistricting state senate districts. Val Verde Unified School Board - Suzanne Stotlar Vote YES Western Municipal Water District - Ken Park

Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 22 Register online at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm PAGE 8 DESERT EDGE OCTOBER 2012

STEWARD FEATURE Troy Morgan helps co-workers and people with disabilities

roy Morgan is many things. an individual and not part of a union with a lot of great new responsibilities, He is the seafood manager and that takes your money and tells you but also a lot of long hours,” he said. shop steward at Stater Bros. 119 what to do.” Morgan has two reasons to be con- T in Hemet. He is a new father. “It was all bull and propaganda,” cerned with those long hours. The first He is also a high school football he continued. “Then I got a job at is family. He married Christina, a cus- announcer, an outdoorsman, a teacher Stater Bros., learned about the union tomer service representative for Stater and a photographer. In addition, he is a and that was it. I became a steward Bros. 75, two years ago and they have former football player and a communi- one year later.” a young daughter, Naima. cator in sign language. Morgan takes his duties as a stew- The second reason is his long list of While Morgan has long suffered ard seriously. “My jobs are to make activities. from attention deficit disorder and dy - sure the union bulletin board is in line, “I’m the announcer for Hemett slexia, the one thing he is not is limited. communicate to the other members High School football games,” he said. In fact, he uses his experience with what’s going on in the union, and help “I played for the Bulldogs when I was his disability to help others with simi- with contract details and scheduling. in high school, so I just kind of slipped lar challenges get and keep jobs. He “Probably my most common ques- into announcing their games. I’m now also works with children with disabili- tion is, ‘What time does the schedule the voice of the Bulldogs!” ties such as blindness, deafness and have to be posted?’ A lot of times a Among his many hobbies, Morgan Down syndrome. “That’s why I manager might think, ‘Oh, I have until enjoys photography and spending time learned sign language,” he said. the weekend to put the schedule up,’ in the great outdoors with his family. and I’m right there saying, ‘Nope — it “I participate in state-sponsored Troy Morgan “I’ve gone to Hemett Lake every classes for learning-disability students has to be up on Friday at this time.’” year since I was 5 years old to camp Morgan also helped a fellow mem- — I talk to the students about Stater were completely ready for this.’ and fish,” he said. “I haven’t missed a ber in the bakery when he was suspend- Bros and the benefits of a union.” “I explained to him my problems single year. It’s a family tradition. The ed. “The first thing I did when I got off “A lot of students in general don’t and they allowed me more time to take feeling is amazing when I take my know what unions are or how they duty was call the union,” he said. wife and daughter up there.” the test and to work one-on-one with work,” he said. “I think unions should His dedication to his job doesn’t While all of his activities would be an instructor to prepare,” Morgan said. be a BIG part of every American histo- begin and end with his union. Morgan enough to keep anyone busy, Morgan “It’s been that way since school. ry class in school.” decided to become the store’s seafood has one additional guilty pleasure. Morgan began as a courtesy clerk at manager, and to do that he had to I’ve always scored high on hand-eye “You can call me a nerd or whatev- Stater Bros. in 2006 after working at become a California certified food coordination, which I use a lot for er, but I’m a huge professional Big Lots, a company that “wasn’t even manager. meat-cutting and other things in the wrestling fan,” he said. “I watch it on close to being union-friendly.” “The first time I took the test, I store, but give me a test that I have to TV and I’ve been in the stadiums for He remembers captive meetings in failed because of my ADD and dyslex- study for and things get harder.” pay-per-view events, Monday Night which his employers would tell work- ia,” he said. “The manager came up to Morgan passed the test became the Raw and Smackdown to see them ers how they should be “happy to be me and said, ‘What happened? You store’s seafood manager. “The job came live.”

Next Quarterly Membership Meeting: UFCW Local 1167 recognizes Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 the following candidates for The meeting will start at 7 p.m. UFCW Local 1167 Auditorium, publicly opposing Prop. 32: 855 W. San Bernardino Ave., Bloomington. • V. Manuel Perez • Jose Medina • Richard Roth Read your mail! • Paul Cook Questions? to contact the Trust Fund: • Joe Baca, Jr. • Dr. Raul Ruiz (714) 220-2297 • (562) 408-2715 • (877) 284-2320 www.scufcwfunds.com • Mark Takano