WWW.UFCW.ORGApril 2, 2013 Volume 18, Issue 4

Labor and Business Reach Agreement on Employment-Based Visa Program

Over the weekend, labor and business reached an agree-ment which in-cludes a new kind of worker visa program called the W-Visa. This is a key step in the push for compre-hensive immigra-tion reform.

The UFCW has been one of the main players in the negotiations, lobbying for reform that creates

a process for determining the need and allocation of employ-ment-based visas. The UFCW has said reform must establish a methodology for assessing labor shortages and determine the impact of visas on the economy, wages, the workforce, and business. This agreement meets those principles.

Under the new visa program, workers will have the ability to self-petition for permanent status after a year and they are not tied to a single employer. Unlike previous programs, this one is data-driven and will be staffed by experts in econom-ics, labor markets, demographics and other specialties needed to identify labor shortages and make recommendations on the number of visas. Visa holders will be paid fairly, meaning their wages will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions of U.S. workers. They will be covered by state and federal employment laws to the same extent that other U.S. workers are covered.

This breakthrough will help move forward comprehensive im-migration reform that creates a road map to citizenship for 11 million aspiring Americans.

UFCW locals spent last week meeting with their Members of Congress and having workers sign postcards in support of

Keany Produce Drivers Say ‘Yes” to a Union Voice with UFCW Local 400

On Friday, March 29, Keany Produce drivers stood up for their rights, living standards, safety, and health and retire-ment security by voting overwhelmingly for representation by UFCW Local 400.

After years of frustration over low pay, inadequate benefi ts, inconsistent hours, and unfair treatment, many of the 140 driv-ers decided they needed to empower themselves through col-lective bargaining. After an intensive, months-long, worker-led organizing drive, they won in a landslide.

“Divided we fall, united we stand,” said Terrance Helm, a Keany Produce driver who spearheaded the organizing effort. “It’s been a collective effort and we all came together.

“I love my co-workers,” he said. “I have such an appreciation for all the hard work and the sacrifi ces they’ve made, and the strength they showed in standing up to management.”

Today, in the wake of their victory, morale among the work-ers is at an all-time high, Helm observed, and they are looking forward to sitting down across the bargaining table fwith management. “We’re here to fi ght until the end,” he said.

Keany Produce is a wholesale produce distributor located in Landover, Md. OP

Keany Produce drivers in Landover, Md. overwhelmingly voted to join UFCW Local 400.

Work in America.Live in America.

Dream in America.

IMMIGRATIONREFORM NOW

WWW.UFCW.ORGApril 2, 2013 Volume 18, Issue 4

insurance to full-time workers, but includes no such penalties for employers who deny health coverage to part-time workers.

“As our nation’s economy relies more and more on part-time, low-wage work, policies are needed to address the widen-ing gap of those working without a safety net for retirement, health care, and family leave,” said Bill Fletcher, chair of the National Retail Justice Alliance and director of fi eld service and education at the American Federation of Government Employees. “The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights would ensure that employers provide critical benefi ts for part-timers and protect the health and well-being of millions of part-time workers in retail and other service industries.”

In addition to Schakowsky and Fletcher, Tyrone Robinson, a Walmart worker and a member of OUR Walmart, and Jim Hutton, a Macy’s worker, spoke about their struggle to survive as part-time workers in the Chicago area.

“As the biggest private employer in the world, Walmart has the chance to set a model for other employers,” Robinson said. “It already leads all retailers when it comes to price and value, now it should step up and do a better job on employee treat-ment and adherence to labor rights and standards.” OP

Worker Organization Takes on Walmart Intimidation Ever since its inception, members of OUR Walmart have been standing up to Walmart’s attempts to silence workers who speak out for change. This includes fi ling unfair labor prac-tices charges with the National Labor Relations Board when Walmart seeks to intimidate or silence workers involved with OUR Walmart through methods such as unfair disciplinary measures, cutting hours or even fi ring workers.

So far Walmart has settled or the NLRB has issued complaints in favor of several OUR Walmart workers. The settlements have required the company to post notices that it would no longer engage in illegal behavior such as trying to limit work-ers’ right to discuss wages, working conditions, and safety issues, and acknowledging that workers have the right to participate in group actions or discussions to improve their workplace. OP

comprehensive immigration reform. They are preparing for an all-out campaign once legislation is introduced to ensure its passage.

To learn more information, visit www.ufcwaction.org. To order materials including postcards and signs, visit www.ufcwtoolkit.com OP

Retail Justice Alliance Addresses Struggles of Part-Time Workers in Hearing with Rep. Jan Schakowsky

On March 26, the National Retail Justice Alliance, in partner-ship with Citizen Action/Illinois, Women Employed, UFCW and Jobs With Justice, hosted a hearing at the Spertus Institute in Chicago with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) to highlight the economic plight of part-time workers in retail and other service industries.

The hearing also underscored the need for Rep. Schakowsky’s legislation—the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act of 2013 (H.R. 675)—which would extend protections to part-time workers in the areas of employer-provided health insurance, family and medical leave, and pension plans.

Sponsored by Schakowsky and Representative George Miller (D-Calif.), the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights builds upon the progress of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and ensures that part-time workers (defi ned as working less than 30 hours a week) and their families have access to critical workplace ben-efi ts. The ACA penalizes employers who fail to provide health

The RJA and allies held a hearing with Rep. Jan Schakowsky to advocate for part-time workers’ rights.

WWW.UFCW.ORGApril 2, 2013 Volume 18, Issue 4

OUR Walmart Members Honored at Black Women’s Roundtable Event

Over 300 women from ten states traveled to the U.S. Capitol last week as part of the Black Women’s Roundtable to urge representatives to pass policies and programs that empower black and under-served families, especially single mothers and the working poor. Issues the women addressed as they visited the offi ces of their congressional leaders included: public education, gun violence, and the creation of jobs with livable wages.

Members from OUR Walmart were honored along with other national leaders during the “Labor, Education, and Social Justice” roundtable for their hard work in rallying for workers’ rights at the big box retailer. Melanie Campbell, Retail Justice Alliance supporter and chair of the Black Women’s Round-table, was the key speaker at the roundtable and honored the female Walmart workers for their leadership. OP

2013 Diversity SurveyThe 2013 Diversity Survey is available online for local lead-ers to complete. The survey will provide the UFCW with the necessary information to continue the commitment to grow the UFCW by building and sustaining an inclusive and diverse or-ganizing culture at all levels. All locals are asked to complete the survey by May 17, 2013.

The 2013 Diversity Survey can be found at: https://www.research.net/s/2013UFCWDiversitySurvey

Florida Walmart Workers Lobby for Affordable Healthcare

Members of OUR Walmart from South Florida united to lobby their Florida Senators and Representatives on Medicaid expan-sion in their state in March. Around a dozen Walmart workers made the eight hour drive the length of the state to stand up for an important provision in the Affordable Care Act that will allow low-wage workers to get healthcare through Medicaid.

OUR Walmart member Quanesha Jones, who works at Walmart in Miami Gardens, said that she lobbied for Medicaid expansion because Walmart has left her with no other choice. “It’s unacceptable that Walmart makes $25 billion a year but refuses to provide affordable health coverage for all of us,” said Jones.

Four of the OUR Walmart members testifi ed before a Senate hear-ing about the diffi culty obtaining healthcare for Walmart workers.

“The expansion of Medicaid would be the only way I could get affordable health care, because Walmart will never give it to me,” said Jones. OP

UFCW 2013 Scholarship Program The 2013 UFCW Scholarship Program has launched and the application will be available online from March 31 - June 15, 2013. A fl yer is attached with more information on the Schol-arship Program and how to apply.

OUR Walmart members Quaneisha Jones, Saint-Gerard Dorilus, Andrelie Prevot, Toussaint Charpentier, and Mylena Alvarez meet with Rep. Daphne Campbell during their lobbying for affordable healthcare.

The Black Women’s Roundtable honored OUR Walmart members for their leadership and hard work to improve jobs in the retail industry.