UFCW official Publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers Union July 2009 President ’s r ePort Walmart opens Freedoms and rights won ‘Supermercado’ through sacrifice of others fter opening its first store in the $90 billion Hispanic food market. Texas two months ago, The stores’ bakeries sell sweet he current unrest in Iran, where hun - Arizona became the new tar - breads and fresh tortillas while the dreds of thousands of people are taking A get market for Walmart’s new meat departments feature specialty to the streets to protest a rigged elec - 39,000 sq. ft. Supermercado de items such as milanesaa, diezmillo, tion, gives us one more reason to cele - Walmart stores. The newest store fajitas, chuleta de cerdo, carnes mari - T brate the Fourth of July. opened in west Phoenix on June 10. nades and arrachera. Iran calls itself a “republic,” but everyone The company announced in a Industry observers said Walmart’s knows that the ultimate power in that country press release that the new stores outreach to Hispanic consumers is is in the hands of a small group of religious would be opened in “strongly the work of Eduardo Castro-Wright, leaders. When people there vote for a leader, Hispanic neighborhoods” with bilin - the former chief of Walmart’s they are allowed to vote only for candidates gual employees and store signage. Mexican subsidiary who was pro - who are approved by the “Guardian Council.” The small-format stores were previ - moted to head the company’s United ously occupied by Walmart’s States stores in 2005. Even then, the ayatollahs will have a preferred Neighborhood Market grocery Castro-Wright has refocused candidate, and that candidate will somehow stores. Supercenters to address the ethnic manage to win the “election.” “It’s only a matter of time before tastes of their surrounding popula - In America, the ultimate power resides with Walmart tries to invade the Inland tions. While some have hailed the “We, the People.” It might not work perfectly Empire with its new format,” said decision as a smart marketing move, all the time, but eventually the voice of the By Bill Lathrop President Bill Lathrop. “This compa - critics have been quick to call the people will be heard and obeyed. ny will stop at nothing to erode companies actions racial profiling. That happened in our national elections last November, when new leadership union market share.” Last year, Walmart opened a was given a mandate to change the fundamental direction of our government. Supermercado de Walmart and its Supercenter in Texas with a tortilla There’s nothing like a change in regime to prove the legitimacy of a political sys - Spanish-language version of Sam’s bakery, a Hispanic food section and a tem! Club, Más Club, are the retailer’s larger catalogue of Spanish-language As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, it’s important to remember that first direct attempts to capitalize on CDs and DVDs. the freedoms and rights we cherish today were won through the risks and sacrifices of those who lived before us. Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, the men of the Second Continental Congress had regime-change on their minds when they assembled in an unbearably Quarterly Membership Meetings: hot and humid meeting hall in Philadelphia. After years of trying to reason with an out-of-touch king and a vindictive Sept. 23, Dec. 23 Parliament across the Atlantic, they finally All meetings at 7 p.m. in the UFCW Local 1167 Auditorium decided to cut the strings. They declared 855 W. San Bernardino Ave., Bloomington independence for the United States of America. In the eyes of the British government, which commanded the most powerful army and navy in the world, this was treason. Our Founders knew that victory and freedom were possible only if they put their petty rivalries aside and fought together as one nation. As Benjamin Franklin, who participated in that Continental Congress as a repre - sentative of Pennsylvania, said at the time: “We must all hang together, or assured - ly we shall all hang separately.” In that spirit of unity, the Founders endorsed the following Latin phrase as the motto of their new nation: E pluribus unum. Out of many, one! That’s the fundamental idea behind the United States of America, and it’s also the fundamental idea behind labor unions. It’s all about solidarity, about brothers d e t s e u q e R e c i v r e S n r u t e R and sisters working together as one powerful force for progress. A C , O N I D R A N R E B N A S 6 1 3 2 9 A C , n o t g n i m o o l B As individuals, we are helpless when an employer, out of touch with our reali - 5 8 2 2 . O N T I M R E P 7 6 1 1 x o B . O . P ties and situated in some corporate tower far away, intends to have its way with us. d i A P 7 6 1 1 l a c o L n o i n U E G A T S O P . S . U But together, we are strong. And we will be heard. s r e k r o W l a i c r e m m o C d n a d o o F d e t i n U . G R O T I F O R P - N O N E pluribus unum. : o t s y a d 5 n i n r u t e R Happy Independence Day! PAGE 2 DESERT EDGE JULY 2009 ing 20 inches long. ... Stephanie Your dues are Bartos , Stater Bros., welcomed Jamie Marie Boykins on April 4. now payable! Jamie weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. ... Oswaldo Gomez, Food 4 Less, has If you are one of the few mem - YOUR UNION a new son. Gabriel was born on bers of the local who are not yet April 15 and weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. signed up for dues checkoff: ... Guillermo Bravo, Jr. , Stater JULY DUES ARE NOW DUE What ’s Bros., is pleased to announce the AND PAYABLE. IF NOT arrival of Izaac Chico on April 15. PAID ON OR BEFORE Happening Izaac weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. ... Sujey SEPT. 1, 2009, YOU WILL Ramirez , Stater Bros., has a new AUTOMATICALLY SUS - by Maureen McCabe son. Anthony Lievano was born PEND YOURSELF. on April 21 and weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. ... Sabrina Hubbard , Stater With dues checkoff, all future Bros., gave birth to Nathan Robert dues can be deducted automati - on April 21 at 7:15 a.m. Nathan cally from your pay check. If weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. and meas - you do not have an authoriza - ured 19 inches. ... Alexandra tion form, call the local and one enjoy your well-earned retire - will be sent to you immediately. JUST RETIRED Jasso , Stater Bros., is a happy new The summer months have ments! mom since the arrival of Anthony Non-payment or payment of the brought us several new retirees. In Aaron Ciufo on May 3. Anthony incorrect amount will automati - April, Patricia Koch retired after JUST MARRIED weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. ... Aundria cally suspend you — a costly 19 years with Rite-Aid. In June, Kathy Henzie , Stater Bros., Nichols , Albertsons, proudly and inconvenient mistake. Betty Brock , Joanie Covey, Jose married Kevin Bongard on April 1 announces the birth of Kylie Although not required, the local Fernandez, Glenda King, Gary in Las Vegas. The newlyweds Nicole on May 4. Kylie weighed 7 as a courtesy normally sends Schweitzer and Elizabeth Swick honeymooned in Las Vegas as lbs. 9 oz. and measured 19 inches. billing notices by first-class joined the ranks of our retirees. well. ... Erika Ramos , Stater ... Vonetta Marie Quintero , Rite- mail to those not on dues check - Betty Brock retired after 29 years Bros., said “I do” to Mark Aid, welcomed Cesar Mario off. It is the member’s obliga - in the industry with Vons and Jimenez on April 7. ... Michelle Quintero III on May 5. He weighed tion to pay dues in a timely Alpha Beta. Joanie Covey worked Collins , Stater Bros, married Derek 7 lbs. 1 oz. and his proud mom manner. Not receiving a notice for 20 years with Albertsons and Barragun on May 5. The wedding writes, “Welcome, baby Mario! is not an excuse for failure to Lucky. Jose Fernandez worked in was in Riverside and the couple With love Daddy, Mommy, Julian pay dues on time. the industry for 33 years with honeymooned on Catalina Island. and Jacob.” ... Benjamin Cluff , Avoid suspension. Authorize Pavilions and Safeway. Glenda Congratulations to all of our new - Stater Bros., has a new daughter. dues checkoff today! King worked for Albertsons for 21 lyweds! Katie Lynn was born on 5/10 and years. Gary Schweitzer worked weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. Jesus for Vons and Safeway for 31 Avalos , Stater Bros., proudly tells years. Elizabeth Swick worked for JUST BORN us “It’s a boy!” His son Jayden Stater Bros. for 20 years. Melanie Thunholm , Stater Bros., Best was born on 5/17 and Congratulations to all of our new has a new daughter. Abigail weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. retirees! We wish you many Sophia was born on April 2, Congratulations to all of our new weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz. and measur - DESERT EDGE healthy, happy years ahead to moms and dads! Bill Lathrop Editor Official monthly publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, San IT PAYS TO BE UNION! You are interesting! Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial Counties, California.