UFCW Official Publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers Union September 2007 President’s Report Negotiations Ongoing at Windsor Foods t press time, union officials were in contract negotiations with ‘Normal’ Windsor Foods in Riverside. The contract expired on May 19 and members have been on extension since then. AMore than 450 UFCW Local 1167 members at Windsor Foods make burritos and other Mexican food products sold under the Jose Times Are Ole brand, among others. “The membership at Windsor Foods is as strong as any within this union,” President Bill Lathrop said. “The average seniority at the Busy Times plant is 23 years. They are proud of their union and their plant. With he ratification of our new contract their strength, we’re confident that we can negotiate a fair and with Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons By Bill Lathrop equitable agreement.” means that finally, after four years of tension, disappointment, anger, sacrifice and struggle, our situation can be described as “normal.” TThat’s not to say things are ideal. By “normal,” I mean that balance has been restored in relations between the employers and the workers, that our achievements as a union are not under sustained attack, and that we can resume our long-term quest to advance our members’ quality of life. $9,500 Awarded in This is a great time to take a deep breath and evaluate ourselves as union members, coworkers and employees. Our new contract lays down the rules of Local 1167 Special our working environment for the next four years. Let’s get to know its details and nuances. Scholarship Competition One remarkable consequence of the new contract is that we are no longer divided between “first-tier” and “second-tier” employees when it comes to wages, health care and pensions. That was a dreadful distinction to create in $2,000 — Kristen Anno the first place. But now, if your coworker has the same job and has the same number of hours of experience as you do, you will be paid the same wages. $1,500 — Monish Punjabi When a contract has been successfully negotiated to the satisfaction of both parties, there is also less of a divide between employer and employee. When $1,000 — Elizabeth Angulo we use the contract as a guide for our professional conduct at work, there is less reason to approach each other as adversaries. If we do our jobs right, we $1,000 — Roberto Curiel can focus instead on our primary duty at the workplace, which is to serve the customers with pride and professionalism. $1,000 — Adrianna Martinez When union employers are healthy and profitable, they are better able to $750 — Kameron Myles provide good wages and benefits. The current profitability of our employers was an important factor in our success in the recent negotiations, during which $750 — Brian Oei (Please see page 3) $750 — Parth Shah Return in 5 days to: $750 — Sarthi Shah United Food and Commercial Workers NON-PROFIT ORG. Union Local 1167 U.S. POSTAGE Winners to be featured in October P.O. Box 1167 PAID Bloomington, CA 92316 PERMIT NO. 2285 SAN BERNARDINO, CA issue of Desert Edge Address Service Requested The award recipients listed above were not eligible for the UFCW and Food Employers Trust Fund Scholarship Awards Program, of which the winners are listed on pages 4-5. PAGE 2 DESERT EDGE SEPTEMBER 2007 Your Dues Now Payable: Sign Up for Dues Checkoff If you are one of the few members of the local who are not yet signed up for dues checkoff: YOUR UNION SEPTEMBER DUES ARE NOW DUE AND PAYABLE. IF NOT PAID ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY SUSPEND What’s YOURSELF. With dues checkoff, all future dues can be deducted automatically from your paycheck. If you Happening do not have an authorization form, call the local and one will be sent to you immediately. by Maureen McCabe Non-payment or payment of the incorrect amount will automatically suspend you—a costly and inconvenient mistake. Although not required, the local as a courtesy normally sends billing notices by first-class mail to those not on dues checkoff. It is the member’s obligation to pay dues in a timely manner. Not receiving a notice is not an excuse for failure to pay dues on time. Avoid Suspension. JUST RETIRED: The summer we’re told “Mommy and Daddy are Authorize Dues Checkoff Today! months have brought us several so happy to have our lil’ angel.” ... new retirees. Retiring in August Landa Martel, Stater Bros., gave were Pete Herrera, Linda birth to Angelina Patricia Cobian Premus, Felix Quinonez, on 6/4. Angelina weighed 5 lbs. Thomas “Pat” Smith and 15.5 oz. ... Ashley McLaughlin, Barbara Swann. Pete worked for Stater Bros., has a new son. Jordan 29 years in the industry with Lee Boyer was born on 6/14 and CORRECT ADDRESS AND Albertsons and Lucky. Linda weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. ... Gloria worked for Stater Bros., Jensens, Perez, Stater Bros., and Jesus PHONE NUMBER A MUST Alpha Beta, Butcher Block and Martinez, Jr., are pleased to Paul’s Produce Markets for a total announce the birth of Adam Jesus of 15 years. Felix worked for Vons Martinez on 6/25. Adam weighed for 37 years. Thomas (Pat) worked 6 lbs. 11 oz. ... Cynthia Waleska You lose out if there is no correct address and telephone for Vons for 28 years. Barbara Escobedo, Stater Bros., welcomed worked for Ralphs for 22 years. number on file for you. We know the problem: people move Bryan Armando Osorio Estrada Congratulations to all of our into the world on 6/26. Bryan frequently. But it only takes a phone call, a minute with the retirees! We wish you many healthy weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. ... and happy years ahead to enjoy Rachel union rep or a letter to our office. It could avoid a big problem , Ralphs, has a new your well-earned retirements. Estrada daughter. Rylee Danielle was born with a hospital, medical claim or pension inquiry. on 7/10 and weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. JUST MARRIED: Roger Pascual, “She’s a beauty!” her happy mom Albertsons, married Shirley on 3/23. The ceremony was in Santa writes. ... Maria Del Ledbetter, Food 4 Less, is pleased to announce Ana. ... Sarah Kinney, Rite-Aid, the birth of , born on said “I do” to Darren Harris on Bailey Hogue Union Office 4/21. The wedding was at the Fleur 7/3 and weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. ... de Lis Chapel and the happy couple Agapito Abila, Albertsons, has a Will Be Closed on honeymooned in Los Cabos, new son. Evan Andrew was born DESERT EDGE on 7/4 and weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. ... Mexico. ... Patsy Martinez, Stater , Albertsons, was Official monthly publication of Local 1167, United Labor Day Bros., married Stanley Ronald Carly Wahl doubly lucky on 7/7 as she Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Svete on 6/19. ... Priscilla Lopez, San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial Counties, Monday, Albertsons, became the bride of welcomed the arrival of twins California. and Gilbert Bracamontes, Jr. on lucky Kaitlyn Joyce Landon Sept. 3, 2007 7/7/07. The wedding was at the Las Michael. Kaitlyn weighed 4 lbs. 11 855 West San Bernardino Ave. oz. and Michael weighed 4 lbs. 5 Bloomington, California Vegas Hilton. ... Also choosing oz. ... , Albertsons, (Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.) 7/7/07 for their wedding date were Cherish Dunne is pleased to announce the birth of (Closed Sat., Sun. and holidays) Aida Maldonado, Rite-Aid, and on 7/8. P.O. Box 1167, Bloomington, CA 92316 Christopher Gonzalez. The couple Hayden Robert Wybenga You Are married in Riverside and Hayden weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. ... Telephone Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. honeymooned in Cancun, Mexico. Robert Rosenberg, Stater Bros., Interesting! has a new daughter. ... Susi Gardner, Stater Bros., Hannah Leora Business Telephone: was born on 7/13 and weighed 8 (909) 877-5000 You are the most interesting thing married Jim Owensby on 7/28. The wedding was at the Calimesa lbs. 1 oz. ... Keyuana Davis, Food Toll-Free Telephone: about our union! If there’s Country Club and the happy couple 4 Less, welcomed Karrina (800) 698-UFCW something unusual or newsworthy honeymooned with a cruise to Valenzuela on 7/17. Karrina Food and Meat Division Insurance: Hawaii. weighed 7lbs. 14 oz. and her happy (909) 877-1110 about your life, hobbies, abilities or Congratulations to all of our mom tells us “She’s so pretty.” ... talents, call us at the office and tell newlyweds! , Rite-Aid, has a Drug & General Sales Div. Insurance: Claudia Flores new daughter. was born on (909) 877-2331 us about it so that we may consider Arely JUST BORN: Josh Sheehe, Stater 7/20 and weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. ... Bill Lathrop doing a feature about you in the Bros., welcomed Austin Blake into Reina Vega, Stater Bros., is Editor Desert Edge. Just ask for Kathleen the family on 5/24. Austin weighed pleased to announce the birth of 8 lbs. 2 oz. ... Isaac Bautista, Aden Altamirano on 7/25. Aden Franks or your Union Rep. Vons, is pleased to announce the weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. birth of on 5/29. Congratulations to all of our new Publisher — President Angel Gabriel Angel weighed 7 lbs. 4.2 oz. and moms and dads! Bill Lathrop SEPTEMBER 2007 DESERT EDGE PAGE 3 Union Representative Report President’s Report New Contract and Busy Always Check ID Times at the Local Union When Selling (Continued from front page) they couldn’t honestly plead poverty or point to inroads by non- Alcohol union competitors.