UFCW Official Publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers Union January 2010 PresiDenT ’s r ePorT Interesting times: Delegates gathered in front of “Double Trouble,” the FDC’s big-rig truck, during a break in a convention that featured high-level speakers addressing the future of the Labor Movement. curse or blessing? t’s part of modern lore that At FDC conclave, labor leaders in food an “ancient Chinese curse” condemns the victim with and drug industries plan united action these words: “May you live eaders representing 350,000 Aerospace Workers and the Interna - in interesting times.” IIf this really is an “ancient union members in six states tion al Union of Operating Engineers. assembled in Las Vegas Dec. A large and diverse lineup of high- Chinese curse,” it’s news to the 13-16 for the Food & Drug level speakers included San Francisco folks in China, because nobody L there seems to have heard of it. Council’s Annual Conven tion. Mayor Gavin Newsom, who urged The delegates vowed to build on a FDC-affiliated unions to push for Still, the words have a truthful string of successes in 2009 with an nationwide versions of progressive quality that appeals to us in the agenda of bold initiatives for 2010 and programs he has fought for in his city, West. beyond. including a minimum wage increase, We live in “interesting times,” The FDC coordinates cooperation paid sick leave and universal health for sure, but whether that makes among unions representing workers in care. us “cursed” depends on our point the retail food and drug industries in California State Senate Majority of view. Arizona, California, Colorado, Neva - Leader Dean Florez said 2010 will be With that perspective in mind, By Bill Lathrop da, Utah and Washington. Its 42 affili - the year to “take back the ship” and let’s review the events of 2009, a ates include local and region al unions, make the state legislatures work for year that closes out a decade that no-one has yet given a name: as well as the UFCW International working people. He emphasized the January — The year began with its most significant event: the inau - Union, the International Brotherhood need to unionize more workers, pro - guration of Barack Obama as President of the United States. Love him of Teamsters, the International Long - tect pensions and educate voters about or hate him, you can’t deny the historic scope of the moment. After shore and Warehouse Union, the Inter - the benefits of keeping jobs in the President Obama signed several executive orders reversing the anti- national Association of Machinists and state. union policies of his predecessor, Vice President Joe Biden told labor leaders, “Welcome back to the White House.” Also during this month, Congress’ new pro-Labor majority passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Our next Quarterly Membership Meeting Restoration Act, which the President immediately signed into law. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, a union pilot for US Airways, became a Wednesday, March 24, 2010 national hero after ditching his disabled plane in the Hudson River, sav - The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the UFCW Local 1167 Auditorium, ing the lives of all 155 people on board. 855 W. san Bernardino Ave., Bloomington February — Hilda Solis, who served parts of the Inland Empire in Congress, replaced her anti-union predecessor as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Meanwhile, Vice President Biden kicked off the new Middle Class Task Force with a focus on environmentally friendly “green” tech - nologies. Serving on this task force is UFCW International President Joe Hansen. President Obama signed a $787 billion package to stimulate job growth during the deepening recession. March — The head of Tesco’s Fresh & Easy Markets admitted that his company “got it wrong” by setting its prices too high for consumers hit by the recession. Meanwhile, labor unions geared up for a campaign to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. A C , o n i D r A n r e B n A s d e t s e u q e R e c i v r e S n r u t e R April — UFCW Local 1167 had its most successful Stewards 5 8 2 2 . o n T i M r e P 6 1 3 2 9 A C , n o t g n i m o o l B Conference ever. Secretary-Treasurer Brent Denkers took the occasion 7 6 1 1 x o B . O . P D i A P to announce his pending retirement. Thousands of New Yorkers were 7 6 1 1 l a c o L n o i n U e G A T s o P . s . U 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 (Please see page 3) . G r o T i F o r P - n o n : o t s y a d 5 n i n r u t e R PAGE 2 DESERT EDGE JAnuARy 2010 announce the birth of their daughter Kendall Ashley Lozano on Sept. 26. She weighed 7 lbs. 7oz. ... Leslie Johnson of Stater Bros. had a son on Sept. 30. Justin Caleb weighed in at 6 lbs. 9 oz. ... MAP Lindsay Amlee of Stater Bros. announces Membership Assistance Program the birth of daughter Jordan Taylor . She weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz. when born on Oct. 2. YOUR UNION eligible active or retired Food and Meat ... Ericka Lopez from Stater Bros. gave birth to a daughter, Bella Christine , on participants can call the toll-free MAP Oct. 6. Bella weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. ... Jesus What ’s Diaz of Stater Bros. announces the arrival number at the Health Management of daughter Jessenia on Oct. 10. Jessenia Center at any time, Happening weighed 8 lbs. 4.3 oz. ... Annmarie Fraser of Albertsons had a little girl on Oct. 15. DAY or niGHT, 24 HoUrs A DAY, Olivia Colleen Delatore weighed 5 lbs. 6 seVen DAYs A WeeK. by Maureen McCabe oz. “Although Olivia is tiny, she’s a big bundle of joy!” ... Alex Gonzalez of Food Food Division, call 4 Less had a son, Aiden Nickolas , on Oct. 15. Aiden weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. ... Ruben (800) 461-9179 Torres , also of Albertsons, has a son, TJ Drug Division, call Mitchell. TJ was born on Oct. 20 at 3 lbs 15 oz. “Our precious baby boy arrived (866) 268-2510 early, but he is doing wonderful!” ... Maria Rosas of Rite-Aid announces a lit - (All calls are confidential) JUST RETIRED Laponis of Ralphs retired after 34 years. tle girl. Carolyn Rosas arrived on Oct. 2 at November brought several more members Daniel started with Alpha Beta Markets in 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 18 inches long. ... choosing to retire. 1976 and worked there until it was bought Kristina Treadwell of Albertsons says that William Hatfield and Joe Gonzalez , out by Ralphs, where he continued until Tabitha Nicole , who arrived Oct. 21 at 7 both from Stater Bros., retired. William has retirement. ... Nancy Lewis of Ralphs also lbs 3 oz., “is cute as a button!” ... Michelle worked there since 1974, putting in 36 retired. Nancy started with Hughes Markets Perez of Ralphs wants to thank “everyone You are interesting! years. Joe also only worked for Stater Bros., in 1986, working through the merger and at 681 for their love and support. She working since 1970 and completing nearly staying until retirement. She was in the delivered twin boys on Oct. 23. ... Mario Tell us about yourself. 40 years. ... Michael Raphael of Vons industry 24 years. III weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. and Eusebio Jose You are the most interesting thing retired with 30 years in the industry. He Congratulations, retirees! Enjoy your - weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz. ... Amber Smith of started with Max Foods, went to Stater Bros. selves. You’ve earned it! Vons had a son, Logan Cash , on Oct. 27 at about our union! if there’s and finally to Vons in 2008. ... Martin Estel 8 lbs. 14 oz. and 21 inches long. “I’m so something unusual or newsworthy also retired from Vons. He started with JUST BORN excited he’s here! He’s beautiful!!” ... Liz about your life, hobbies, abilities or Alpha Beta in 1976, went to Vons from Jaimie Kirkpatrick of Vons announces the Beth Reyes of Rite Aid had a daughter, 1978 to 1980, on to El Rancho from July arrival of twin girls on June 17. Emma Ellaicah Marisse Santiago , on Oct. 27. talents, call us at the office and tell 1980 until 1982 and returned to Vons until Gene weighed 5 lbs. 14 oz. and Allie She weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. ... Kelly Ann us about it so that we may consid - retiring after nearly 34 years. ... Gino Nicole weighed 4 lbs. 8 oz. ... Adam Wells of Albertsons had a daughter on DiCocco of Albertsons retired after nearly Woods of Stater Bros. has a daughter, Nov. 7. Riley June Wilhite weighed 5 lbs. er doing a feature about you in the 23 years. He worked a few years on the East Lillianna Christine , who arrived Sept. 17 10 oz. ... Finally, Vicky Anaya of Rite Aid Desert edge. Just ask for Kathleen Coast before coming to California and start - weighing 7 lbs. 10 oz. ... Chintal Ghadia had a son on Nov. 27. Aiden Alexander Franks or your Union rep. ing with Stater Bros. in 1984. From 1990 of Albertsons announces that she has a weighed 7 lbs.