Organizing Director's Report

Thinking Out-Of-The-Box

I had the privilege to appear at the UFCW Local 1500s Shop Stewards at this years Seminar. I updated the Stewards on the many different projects that the Organizing Department was involved with and how their help would increase our chances of success. They were reminded that the modern union Organizing Department had to be creative and think out of the box if we were o achieve our goals.

The Organizing Department has only four simple goals that guide us on a daily basis:

1. Protect and preserve the jobs of our current members.

2. Strengthen our Union by adding new retail food members.

3. Level the economic playing field for our Employers.

4. Punish those who seek to reduce our quality of life.

The Local 1500 Organizing Department tries to achieve these goals in many ways. The following our some examples of projects we initiated throughout the past year to reach our objectives:

1. Organizing

- Conducted three elections at three separate BJs Wholesale Clubs.

- Pursued recognitions at Manhattan based Upscale Gourmet Stores.

- Expanded the membership of our new Limited Food Service project that organizes workers in stores smaller in size and service to our standard supermarkets.

- Continued the education of Whole Food workers

2. Planning, Zoning and Smart Community Growth Projects.

- Battled Stew Leonards plans for a store in Babylon, Long Island.

- Educated citizens, politicians and community activist on the threat of BJs Warehouse Club to small businesss.

- Continued to see that Manhattan remained Costco free.

3. Legislation to Level Playing Field

- Worked with NYC Jobs with Justice to introduce the Health Care Security Act. This law would require all employers to provide Health Insurance to its employees.

- Supported a law in Brookhaven Township Long Island that will require in depth review and a higher threshold for all big box stores seeking to build in that community.

- Introduced legislation in the New York City Council that will review the license of employers with poor labor records.

4. Community and Consumer Education

- Sponsored a coupon for residents to shop DAgostinos Supermarkets.

- Focused our efforts in the Union Square area of Manhattan to educate residents on the problem with non-union Upscale Gourmet Stores like Jefferson Markets.

- Expanded our efforts to expose the working conditions at Whole Foods Markets.

5. Wal-Mart

- Talked to Wal-Mart workers about their problems and the advantages of belonging to a Union.

- Educated politicians and community activist about the deplorable business practices of this company.

- Provided information to small businesses on the threat to their livelihoods if Wal-Mart comes to town.

As you can see, the Organizing Department has its hands filled as we continue to fight everyday to meet our daily goals. As I said to the Shop Stewards, we need all the help we can get.

Please contact me at joinus@ufcw1500.org or call me at 1-800-522-0456 ext 244 if you can help. You can also fill out the form on this page and send it in to me.

Together, there is no goal we cannot reach.