April - June 2017 Vol. 12, Issue 2

(USPS 018-250)

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Tried & True Loud & Clear Union & Non-Union President Conger reflects UFCW Local 324’s new Union Made Memorial on former Executive VP mobile app is the latest in Day... you’ll be surprised Rick Eiden’s time with us at the Local’s communication at all of the products made UFCW Local 324. program. with union labor. Pages 3-4 Page 7 Page 4

Official Publication of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 324 e e n n i i z z a a g g a a m What’s Inside U m Sec.-Tres. Report 5 Communication is key, there are a variety of ways to keep in touch.

An App for that... 7 UFCW Local 324 rolls out their new mobile app. Next General Membership The Era of Rick Eiden Meeting is Wednesday, 8 Exploring the history that became June 14 at 7 p.m. the legend at Local 324. 8530 Stanton Avenue Buena Park Hot Topics! 11 Working off the clock isn’t only bad business, you could get fired. Withdrawal Card Request Representin’ Change of Address Form 12 Pictures of Union Representative Mike Ramirez‘s members at work. Member's name:______

Word on the Street SSN:______DOB:______14 100 days as president, how do you think he has done so far? Address______

City______zip______Editor : Todd Conger UNION OFFICE HOURS Asst. Editor : Mercedes Clarke 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Phone #______TELEPHONE NUMBERS : Orange County: (714) 995-4601 Long Beach-Downey-Norwalk Limited Area Toll Free: (800) 244-UFCW email______MAIN OFFICE : 8530 Stanton Avenue, P.O. Box 5004, Buena Park, California 90622 If requesting withdrawal, what was your last day worked? ______U magazine (USES 018-250) is published bimonthly by UFCW Local 324, at Post Office Box 5004, 8530 Stanton Ave., Buena Park, CA 90622-5004. Subscription rate is two (2) dollars per year (U.S. funds) Periodicals Postage paid at Buena Park, CA. If we don't know where you live or how to reach you, there's POSTMASTER : Send address changes to U magazine , UFCW Local 324, Post Office Box 5004, Buena Park, CA 90622-5004. no telling what you might miss out on in the future. READERS : Direct all inquiries and changes of address to the COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT , UFCW Local 324, Post Office Box 5004, Buena Park, CA 90622-5004 . Web Site Address: UFCW324.org U have to tell us! 2 April - June 2017 U have to tell us! President’s Report Brother Eiden: To say you will be missed doesn’t quite say it all I had the occasion of meeting Rick Eiden for ployed by Organized Labor the first time July 10, 1990. It was an exciting time since the early days. to be a member of the UFCW. Our leadership in Rick holds the Washington had recently initiated a major push traditions of the “old for locals to devote more resources to growing school” close to his the union. heart but was The only thing we knew about Rick was what ready to replace we were told by senior staff at the International any model of any Union. They said to expect a hard core union man kind if modern who would impress us with his intelligence and technology had his passion for helping working families. Rick is shown to be supe - the son of a Local Union President from Wiscon - rior. And he would sin so he grew up knowing why unions exist. It know. Rick followed took only about a week for me to realize what an the evolution of tech - asset he was going to be to Local 324. Either they nology with an eye toward beating our opponent didn’t really know Rick, or their desire not to be to the chase by being the first to embrace ad - hyperbolic was historic. I have never met a more vancements. dedicated, hard-working, devoted trade unionist Our current Communications Department is in my life. perhaps the biggest beneficiary of his forward My initial introduction also left me with an - thinking. He saw the need for a more focused and other impression. He could just as easily been sustained approach to reaching out to our mem - plucked from the pages of GQ in their All-Ameri - bers. Within a few short months of creating an can boy next door issue. This also happened to in-house department for Local 324, UFCW Locals be the time when Rick’s main hobby was body across the country were following our lead. building so at a generous 5’6, he was literally one I am also better off today for having watched continuous muscle. Rick evolve and grow. Once an impassioned When one gets to know Rick, it is clear that no workaholic so devoted to the cause, he forgot to singular description really does him justice. Sure have a social life. Rick has been working 50 to 60 he is every bit the Green Bay Packer cheese head hours per week for as long as I can remember. who speaks with a funny Midwestern twang but When I became President of the Local, I cre - he can make any worker his best friend inside of ated a new position especially for Rick—Execu - a minute. Rick is also a sophisticated connois - tive Vice President. He is, without question, the seur of international beer, holds a master’s de - most reliable and competent colleague I have gree, speaks conversational Spanish and is a ever worked with. When I asked for him to com - passionate and moving orator. plete a task, I never entertained a second of Rick’s job at the Local soon grew in responsi - doubt that he would get it done and with all an - bility. As head of our Organizing Department, he gles covered. proved that worksites could still be brought into One can scarcely imagine what it’s like to have the union fold in the 1990s. Even more impressive a work colleague like Rick tell you it’s his time to was the fact that his greatest victories came retire. I can’t quite place my finger on it, but the using the same, time-honored techniques em - emotion can be found somewhere between

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April - June 2017 3 (Continued from page 3) sRhocik candk sad nEess. i Sdhocek bencau ser I ethoutgihtr Rieck s with his wife to enjoy the great outdoors among would go on forever and sadness for all of the mem - other things. bers and future members of our union who never will Of course I am happy for him and wish him all the have the good fortune of meeting or knowing Rick. best, we all do. Rick is a world-class labor leader, a What I will miss most is his inane sense of humor. world-class human being and a world-class friend. I No matter what the subject, Rick always finds an know our members along with everyone he touched angle that was worth a chuckle. A day did not pass throughout his career will miss him. working directly with Rick that I didn’t laugh at least Suffice it to say that every day he is no longer an once. office away, things will be different Rick is today doing what people who retire are here at UFCW Local 324. supposed to do and doing it at an age that will allow him to make the most of it. He’s moving to Colorado Memorial Day the UNION With Memorial Day around the corner and many of our Union brothers and sisters headingw outa to ty he warm weather and firing up the grill, be sure to support union made products. With the help of Labor 411 we have put together a list of union made products to make holiday grilling and chilling a bit easier! Grill: • Dr. Pepper • Breyers • Ball Park franks • Barq’s Root Beer • Carvel • Butterball turkey tenderloins, Games: • Good Humor drumsticks, burgers and franks • Battleship • Hiland Dairy • Dearborn Sausage Company • Candyland • Labelle Ice Cream • Empire Kosher chicken and • Clue • Laura Secord turkey • Connect Four • MacArthur • Foster Farms poultry • Monopoly • Orchard Harvest • Hormel beef, pork and chicken • Twister • Prairie Farms franks • Yahtzee • President’s Choice • Omaha Steaks Snacks: Fruit: Beverages: • Act II Popcorn • Airdrome Oranges • Bass Pale Ale • Cheez-It • Big Jim Oranges • Bud and Bud Light • Cheetos • Del Monte Apples • Coors Light • Chex Mixes • Del Monte Bananas • Killian’s Irish Red • Doritos • Del Monte Peaches • Land Shark Lager • Rold Gold Pretzels • Dole Apricots • Mad River Brewing Jamaican • Slim Jim • Dole Grapes Red • Sun Chips • Dole Plums • Miller Genuine Draft • Wheat Thins • Sam Adams Sunscreen: • Coca-Cola Ice Cream and Frozen Treats: • Bain de Soleil • Pepsi • Del Monte Fruit Chillers • Coppertone

4 April - June 2017 Secretary-Treasurer’s Report Your help is needed as we strive to perfect our communication program Communication has changed dramatically in the last proving your company’s position decade. And as a union with a diverse membership we un - during bargaining, membership derstand the need to keep up with these trends. Our com - meetings, pro worker endorsed munication strategies have recently been overhauled and candidates during local election, we are continuing to add new, faster ways to bring infor - and important national and mation to you. state wide issues where you Within the past year, your union has redesigned our can make a difference by website, making it mobile accessible. We have developed a phoning your congress - smart phone app with many useful features including push man or representative. notifications so that we can provide quick and time sensi - We have stewards at tive information to members. all worksites. Your stewards We have expanded our text messaging capabilities to often have more information than regularly update you on the status of negotiations and other we can include in a text message important events. And we have a facebook page and a twit - and can serve as another valuable ter feed and strive to keep these fresh. resource. If your steward does not Since you are reading this Umagazine, we know that you have the answer you need, she or value communication and information. But we know that he will know how to obtain it. our members have busy and hectic lives and taking the time Your stewards help keep your union bulletin board up to to read a magazine is sometimes difficult. We also know that date with notices and discount programs exclusively for different generations obtain information in different formats. union members. Our goal is to reach all our members with the knowledge We welcome your ideas and input. We have quarterly and ease you prefer. membership meetings and during contract time, we often None of these communication methods replaces the have additional meetings when actions are needed. This other, but our goal is to make information as accessible to magazine is also available on our web site and in the near you as possible. Our Union Representatives remain your future, may be emailed to those of you who prefer to read best source of information. However, each Union Represen - your news on line. We are always looking to the best ways tative services about 30 locations and well over a thousand to assure that you have the information you need and un - members. Getting information out quickly by word of mouth derstand the changing technologies. and personal contact is not always possible. For this reason, Making sure our members have the best representation we hope that you will take advantage of our enhanced com - and programs is the Union difference. We are here for you munication tactics. and it is our goal that every member understands that your To best serve you, it is important that we have your up - involvement is what makes your Union great. We hope you dated mobile phone numbers and email addresses. Staying will take advantage of our new communication opportuni - up to date during the negotiations on your contract is most ties. And please stress to your coworkers, that you are the important and will help you understand the process and the Union and together we are powerful. decision you will ultimately need to make to accept or reject a contract. We also communicate such information as scholarship deadlines, rallies and other actions aimed at im -

April - June 2017 5 6 April - June 2017 It’s time for an app at Local 324 The new digital app now available for download to all members is primed to become a pillar of the union’s ever expanding communications program. An expansion in the use of text messaging has complimented a continued presence in social media. In addition, Local 324 recently set up an In - stagram account as a way of reaching out to younger members. The demographic 16 to 24 has long been a pri - mary target of the local’s communications efforts. Media habit and methods of consuming infor - mation is a marked departure from that of other groups in the population. A mobile application like the one just developed is one way the union hopes the habits of millennial consumers discovered a to reach its younger members. widely differing approach to media consumption from For starters, millennials as they have come to be their baby boomer parents, for example. known, are a mobile lot. If you are going to reach Whereas the prior group grew up waiting for a them the very least you have to do is be mobile with newscast or television show to air at a time specific, them,” said Executive VP Matt Bell. millennials are used to having access to news and/or Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can be ac - their favorite shows via streaming services. cessed in one step using the mobile app as well. As a result, they no longer feel tied to timetables, “It takes some of the most important elements of news cycles or even seasonal programming. our website and further simplifies it so that it is fast “Millennials are used to digesting the information and to the point,” said Communications Director Todd they want at a time convenient for them,” Conger Conger. “It is what our research tells us is the pre - said. “This app shows that we are sensitive to that ferred way our younger members want it.” need.” A handful of recent studies aimed at identifying Matt Bell promoted to executive vice president

Matt Bell of such a well-known predecessor has worked presents some obstacles for Bell to as an organ - navigate. izer and a But having worked with Eiden dur - union repre - ing much of his tenure at the Local, he sentative is confident he can overcome the since joining challenges. Local 324 as “I worked many years watching a staff mem - how Rick handled any number of sit - ber in 2000. uations and my goal is to mirror his Matt Bell, bottom right, pictured with fellow organizers Prior to that approach,” Bell said. almost 17 years ago when he was new to the staff. he worked for Vons for seven years. President Greg Conger said that Bell brings with him a lifetime of Now, at 41-years old, he will have the selection of Bell represents a gen - experience in the Movement. His fa - the opportunity to practice what he erational shift that should benefit the ther Norm Bell served as president of has learned in a new role—executive Local well into the future. San Diego’ Local 135. vice-president. “The Labor Movement is about “There’s not a lot that takes me by Bell was promoted to the position the future and Matt and his generation surprise,” Bell said. “Being union is in the wake of Rick Eiden’s retire - are the fixture. He is the perfect pretty natural at this point.” ment. Having to follow in the footsteps choice,” Conger said. April - June 2017 7 The man who helped tu trendsetter within Since publishing its Eiden’s career has been marked by firsts starting short - first issue in March ly after he joined the ranks of Local 324 in 1991. He served 2006, U Magazine has as its first Director of Organizing where he earned a rep - never featured a staff utation as a dedicated visionary. He approached organ - member, current or izing with new and creative strategies that for the first former, on its front time locally began to show real results. page cover. In fact, U His early successes became the model for other UFCW Magazine has never made one person the primary Locals. Following his lead, organizers were put to work feature in any single issue. That should be the first clue making home calls and marking spread sheets that put that Executive Vice President Rick Eiden stands out from numbers on every potential union member’s level of sup - the list of others who have had a formative impact on port for the campaign. The Local’s Organizing Department UFCW Local 324. soon became a defacto training center and Eiden’s

stock rose in the eyes of UFCW leaders in Washington, D.C. As he reminded workers of the indignities they endured He was appropriated to help develop organizing in oth - on a daily basis, his voice rose several octaves. His pas - er states. WhereaTs some might make thhe most of their traev - sion was now theirs anEd the crowds ate iti up. d els to such exotic destination as Honolulu, Hawaii, Eiden’s He could turn it on and off like a light switch, provoking work ethic wouldn’t allow him to take a rest. His successes laughter at a Christmas party as easily as he could cre - piled up and when he returned to Local 324 and he was ate excitement while speaking at a political rally. a highly a sought after commodity for his skills. It’s difficult to find any veteran member of Local 324 His speaking style mirrored the tactics of revolutionary who doesn’t have a story involving Eiden. Younger mem - leaders who began a speech as if engaged in small talk. bers may not recognize his face, but all benefit greatly from

8 April - June 2017 urn California into a national n the Labor Movement just retired his accomplishments over the years—chief among project that re - them being this very magazine and the Communications quired either po - Department that produces it. Eiden long advocated for litical savvy or real a more pro-active communications with particular em - world know how phasis on younger members. or both. It was a He was quick to embrace the emergence of the in - combination of charisma and ternet for that purpose and was the first to make sure expertise that helped get him elected president of the OC the Local made use of the latest technology and made Labor Federation in 2012. At 57 years old, his leadership it a point to stay informed as it evolved. potential was as limitless as the depth of his loyalty to Eiden formally retired March 30 after 37 years as an the Labor Movement itself. indispensable asset to the Local. T h e day he left, a parade of dignitaries from every He was President Greg Conger’s “go to” man, for every chapter of Eiden’s prolific career traveled to Buena Park

to say goodbye. While the guest list had to be limited, on a first name basis with half the state legislature and the sheer volume of people he called friend seemed end - a good portion of Congress, he never joined the ranks of dleses. Eiden held a Manster’s degree in So ciology aEnd was the unapprroachable. Ha e always felt as much at home in a factory cafeteria as he did at a thousand a plate po - litical fundraiser. He’s worked in every place the UFCW has set foot, from Honolulu to Washington D.C. Served in every capacity from undercover grocery worker to Executive Vice President. His resume reads like an inventory of job titles found in the UFCW. He parlayed that first-hand knowledge of the work involved into an ongoing empathy for the members he served. When he spoke from the podium and said that he understood their struggles, he was serious. UFCW International President Marc Perrone recalled

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April - June 2017 9 Labor movement feeling loss (Continued from page 9) everything he does is obvious,” she said. meeting Eiden when he first wandered outside the bor - Rick will be missed by all of us, but we wish him well ders of his home state of Wisconsin and onto the bat - and hope his new adventure with his wife Brenda in Col - tlefield with Organized orado will be everything he wished for and more. Labor. Secretary Treas - urer Andrea Zinder de - scribed her colleague of 25 years as the most pas - sionate, hardworking, loy - al man that I have ever met. His commitment to

Rick Eiden Honorary Scholarship Award

In honor of retired Executive Vice Presi - There will be three winners, first place - dent Rick Eiden, UFCW Local 324 has estab - $2500; second and third place - $1000. lished an annual Essays must be submit - scholarship for members ted to Joanne John at Local and their eligible depend - 324 by August 31, 2017. ents who are attending col - Please include both lege full-time. member’s and applicant’s This scholarship is in ad - name, the member’s work dition to the Food and Non location and store number, Food scholarships currently the last 4 digits of social se - offered at Local 324. curity numbers, current The scholarship shall be phone numbers and current awarded based on an essay of 500 words or mailing address. less on the relevance of the Labor Movement If there are further questions, please con - today. tact Joanne John at (714) 995-4601 x209.

10 April - June 2017 HHoott TTooppiiccss Words of wisdom to help you keep your job Working off the clock may cost you your job

—By Field Director Chuck Adinolfi As Union Reps, we constantly lecture and warn where there is no employer knowledge the our members not to work off the clock. The term employee may be summarily discharged. “work off the clock” simply means that you are Violations of this nature are very serious. It is working for free. Working off the clock is not new much easier for the Union to defend members that to our industries. There were always those few did not complete their work assignments and members that thought they had to stay over, off the received a written warning than it is for falsification clock, and get more work done and look like a of time records. hero. Lately, we have seen an increased amount of For those of you that find yourself pressured to discipline, in the form of suspensions and work off the clock, our advice is as follows: terminations, to our members for working off the 1. Keep a journal of the day. Note anything clock. that may have kept you from getting your job done Members work off the clock for various on time. Example, someone called in sick, the load reasons. Sometimes they feel so overwhelmed was late, or you were asked to check or unload a with work, that the only way to complete their daily truck. tasks is to work beyond the allotted time. That 2. Let management know when you need help. would be fine if the company was willing to pay 3. Inform management that you need more them for the work that they were performing. But, time and offer to stay, “on the clock”, to get the job members are generally told by management that done. there is no overtime allowed and they need to 4. Work smart and prioritize. It may be finish all their work before they go home. So if impossible to get everything done, but if you overtime is not allowed, and all the work must be prioritize you just may get the most important completed, many members conclude that they things done. must stay off the clock to keep from getting in If you receive a written warning for job trouble. It is extremely rare that a manager would performance, take it seriously. Sign it under ask you to stay and work off the clock. protest and file a grievance with the Union so that The classic example of working off the clock is warning can be officially protested through the either starting work early before clocking in or grievance procedure spelled out in your contract. staying after you punch out for the day. Another This will allow your Rep to help argue the validity example is punching out for lunch and going back of the written warning. Your notes from your to work or working through breaks. Any way that it journal will be especially valuable during this is done is wrong, a violation of the contract and process. wage & hour law. The discipline is usually given to Remember, working off the clock is never a members for falsification of time records and good plan. It is a recipe for your termination.

April - June 2017 11 Union Representative Mike Ramirez

12 April - June 2017 April - June 2017 13 Word on the street 100 days have passed since Donald Trump took office. What is your assessment of the job he’s done so far? We need to give the guy a chance and I would say that regard - less whether he is a Re - publican or Democrat. -Lou Bautista Vons 2216

I haven’t seen any change yet. Everything He’s determined to mess up our environ - looks pretty much the same. But I think that ment and every time he goes to Mara 100 days is too soon to expect anything. Lago, Florida it costs us taxpayers money -Christian Paginag and now he’s coming after our industry Ralphs 8 which affects me personally. I don’t see anything that he’s done good -Angelika Paladino South Coast Safe Access

100 days isn’t enough time for anybody to make He hasn’t done any of the things he said he was a judgement like that. going to do, which I am very glad about. Mexico’s -Ray Bejar not paying for any wall and his idea of health care Ralphs 8 didn’t pass. I’m not a supporter so I’m glad he can’t get his agenda through. -Orlando Muniz Rite Aid 5497

I think the way he expresses himself isn’t appropriate. His words de - scribing Mexicans, for example, creates problems. -Eddie Vasquez Stater Bros. 165

14 April - June 2017 We are looking for pictures of members or their families Help us who are currently serving or Help us veteran members of the U.S. military. honor Please e-mail them to: honor [email protected] or send them to us in the mail them with your current contact them information so that pictures may be returned. U Magazine plans to publish photos in a future issue devoted to recognizing their service to our country. Make sure to note the person’s name, rank and branch.

April - June 2017 15 Umagazine is published by PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID 8530 Stanton Avenue P.O. Box 5004 Buena Park, California 90622-5004

What have you done for me L ately?