Celebrating Women’s History Month
Last Month, we spotlighted our members for Women’s History Month. Go check out the gallery of our membership here. Watch our members speak on why they feel appreciated for Women’s History Month here.
March 2026 Blood Drive
On March 17th we had our Spring Blood Drive. We were able to acquire 93 pints of blood, thanks to your help. That’s approximately 279 lives able to be saved. Remember donating blood, help saves lives! Thank you to everyone who attended!
UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS LOCAL 1500 WELFARE FUND NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
We are providing this Notice from the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 Welfare Fund (referred to in this Notice as the “Fund”) in order to inform you about the way that your health information may be used and disclosed by the Fund and how you can get access to this information.
A federal law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), provides your health information with important protections. HIPAA requires that the Fund maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI). PHI is information the Fund has or receives that can identify an individual and that relates to any medical, prescription, dental, vision and/or Members Assistance Program benefits that you receive from the Fund, regardless of the form in which it is provided.
Click the link below to download!
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 Welfare Fund Notice of Privacy Practices
Lobby Day 2026
On February 11th UFCW Local 1500 members ventured to Albany to let our legislators know say no to “Surveillance Pricing” and “Electronic Shelf Labeling” technology being introduced to your stores. This affects customers and members alike. Using personalized algorithmic pricing to change prices for individual shoppers. Senate Bill S8623 prohibits the use of algorithmically set prices and requires the disclosure of automated pricing systems. This bill has been sponsored by Rachel May (D, WF) 48th Senate District, and cosponsored by Michael Gianaris (D, WF) 12th Senate District.
UFCW Local 1500 member, Daniel Gleason had this to say, “It’s very important to keep electronic shelf tags, out of the stores. They could easily change the prices. By the time you pick something up on the shelf, and by the time you get up front the price could change. Honesty is the best policy, and also surveillance pricing. People shouldn’t be punished because they are loyal customers. These people shop in these stores, and shouldn’t be taken advantage of. We gotta be against surveillance pricing and the electronic shelf tags.”
UFCW Local 1500 former Assistant Field Director, Jay Scorzelli believes that electronic price tags will take jobs away. In addition he believes that surveillance pricing violates shoppers boundaries. “I think it’s an invasion of your privacy, and it’s not right that they’ll raise the price while you’re in the building, because they know you’re more likely to buy it.
UFCW Local 1500 member, Lilyan Ruiz does not support surveillance pricing. “It targets low income families, so there is a discriminatory factor there.” She also points out that surveillance pricing is based on algorithms. “It also creates profiles for the shoppers, where you will not be paying the same price as you paid last week or even yesterday.”
UFCW Local 1500 2026 Blood Drive
Be sure to attend our Annual Blood Drive in person at Frank Meehan Hall (425 Merrick, Avenue Westbury NY) on March 17th 2026 please RSVP by clicking here.
#BloodDrive
March General Membership Meeting 2026
*Attention* Our General Membership Meeting will be held on Wednesday March 11th, 2026 @ 7.P.M in person. The General Membership Meeting will be streamed on YouTube, at approximately 7:30 P.M. We will see you soon and remember to stay safe and healthy!
UFCW Child Care Grant 2026
🌟 Exciting Opportunity for UFCW Members! 🌟
We’re thrilled to announce the UFCW Childcare Grant, supporting our hardworking members with their childcare needs. 🤝💼
To qualify, applicants must:
✔️ Be a member of UFCW or RWDSU in good standing for at least one year
✔️ Have a dependent child in need of childcare
✔️ Work outside the home
✔️ Use a licensed or IRS-listed childcare provider
Deadline is September 30th, 2026
Click Here to go to the Application
Please note: Previous grant winners from the prior year are not eligible for the consecutive year, but can reapply in future years!
Food Bazaar Wall-to-Wall Contract Ratified
On Thursday January 8th 2026, the Food Bazaar Wall-to-Wall contract was overwhelmingly ratified!
A huge thank you to our bargaining committee and thank you to all of our members who came out to vote and make your voices heard.”
Member Spotlight: Bryan Palefsky
Bryan Palefsky has been in the supermarket industry since 1994. Today, he serves as the Dairy Frozen Food Manager at Scatturo’s and is a proud member of UFCW Local 1500, which he joined in 2014.
Reflecting on his career, Bryan notes significant changes in the grocery industry. “When I started, the landscape was different,” he recalls. “There weren’t many large chains like General, Costco, BJ’s, Walmart, and Amazon. It was mostly regular supermarkets, with a lot of them being Waldbaum’s and Pathmark. Now, those chains are gone, replaced by smaller stores and some large chains like ShopRite and Stop & Shop.”
Bryan has witnessed the advent of self-checkout technology, a development he sees as a double-edged sword. “Self-checkout is something brand new,” he says. “We never had that back in the day. It’s taken away jobs from people.”
Having worked in both union and non-union stores, Bryan is an advocate for union membership. “I’ve been a member of UFCW Local 1500 for over ten years and was previously with Local 338 for more than eleven years. The difference is stark. Non-union stores are awful. I don’t recommend it to anybody. If you’re part-time and in the union, be grateful. Work in union stores only. In non-union stores, you could work today and not have a job tomorrow.”
Outside of work, Bryan’s interests are simple and heartfelt. “I take care of my cats, spend time with my dad, and we enjoy going to the movies, eating out, and visiting the casino.”
When asked about the most valuable benefit of union membership, Bryan emphasizes healthcare. “The best benefit I use is my medical. It’s the most important thing besides the pension…”
Bryan credits all the union delegates he’s met over the past ten years with inspiring him. “It’s not just one person. All the union delegates I’ve met from Local 1500 have inspired me to do the right thing.”
Reflecting on his journey, Bryan expresses gratitude for his job and the stability it has provided. “When I joined the union, people told me I was lucky to have a job as a young kid and that getting full-time work was impossible. But I’ve been full-time for ten years now, and I’m very grateful for the benefits the union provides.”
His advice to the younger generation is clear: “Don’t take the union for granted. They’ve got your back, no matter what. Always work union, not non-union.” Bryan Palefsky’s story is a testament to the value of union membership and the importance of solidarity in the workplace. As he continues his journey with UFCW Local 1500, he remains committed to the principles that have guided him throughout his career.
We Make The Holidays Happen
We Make the Holidays Happen
Meet the members behind the scenes keeping our communities running this holiday season — and hear why having union support matters most when work is at its busiest.
Together, we make it work.
