TThe presidential primary season is infull swing, and if the early primariesare any indication, we’re heading foran interesting ride.

At press time, the DemocraticParty’s race for president was wideopen. John Edwards dropped out, butHillary Clinton and Barack Obamaremained in serious contention forthe nomination as we approachedSuper Duper Tuesday on Feb. 5. Thatwas the day 24 states, includingCalifornia, were to hold caucuses orprimary elections.

The turnout in New Hampshire hita record for that state’s primary. I ampleased to note that more young peo-ple participated in the politicalprocess there and are participatingthroughout the country than at anyother time in recent history.

Young people are not only turningout to vote in record numbers, theyare also volunteering to work for the

candidates of their choice.This is encouraging for the future

of the American political process.Working men and women have

always been involved in this process.We volunteer in large numbers forcandidates who share our values onthe issues we care about. Thoseissues include health care, theEmployee Free Choice Act, work-place safety and the economy, amongothers.

All of these issues can directlyaffect our union’s strength and, ulti-mately, your bottom line.

Don’t fall into the trap that is setby political operatives who want toconfuse and divide our ranks. They

Return in 5 days to:United Food and Commercial WorkersUnion Local 1167P.O. Box 1167Bloomington, CA 92316

Address Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 2285

SAN BERNARDINO, CA

Official Publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers Union February 2008

UFCWPresident’s Report

Participatein the

politicalprocess

By Bill Lathrop

(Please see page 3)

While in town to attend the Food & Drug Council convention, Local 1167 Field Director Rick Bruer, left, and Local 1428 Union Representative Pete Zimmer participate in an

informational picket line in front of a Tesco Fresh & Easy store in Las Vegas. (See coverage of the convention on page 7.)

L ocal 1167 has won an arbitra-tion decision that will result inwage increases and retroactivewage adjustments for Rite Aid

members in the apprentice bracketswho make less than $9.35 per hour.

“This victory returns language tothe union contract that was inadver-tently eliminated,” said PresidentBill Lathrop.

The ruling requires Rite Aid toincrease any rate below the new stateor federal minimum wage to 20cents above that minimum. It alsoorders the company to increase everyprogression step thereafter to at least10 cents higher than the precedingstep.

In the decision, the arbitratoragreed with the union that the omis-sion was a clerical error and that thelanguage must be restored. The rul-ing requires the company to correct

the wages of all affected employeesretroactive to the first minimum-wage increase in January 2007, andthen again to the second increase inJanuary 2008.

“The UFCW was instrumental inpassing the state minimum wageincreases in 2007 and 2008,”Lathrop said. “We will continue tofight for higher wages for all work-ing people, both through the collec-tive bargaining process and throughstate and federal legislation.”

Lathrop said the union hasrequested all necessary informationfrom Rite Aid to be sure that thecompany makes the appropriateretroactive wage adjustments.

He urged all Rite Aide membersin the apprentice brackets who makeless than $9.35 per hour to checktheir pay stubs to ensure that theyare paid correctly.

Local 1167 wins arbitration decision for Rite Aid members

Taking Tesco to task

PAGE 2 DESERT EDGE FEBRUARY 2008

DESERT EDGEOfficial monthly publication of Local 1167, United

Food and Commercial Workers International Union,San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial Counties,

California.

855 West San Bernardino Ave.Bloomington, California

(Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.)(Closed Sat., Sun. and holidays)

P.O. Box 1167, Bloomington, CA 92316

Telephone Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Business Telephone:(909) 877-5000

Toll-Free Telephone:(800) 698-UFCW

Food and Meat Division Insurance:(909) 877-1110

Drug & General Sales Div. Insurance:(909) 877-2331

Bill LathropEditor

Publisher

JUST RETIREDJust two retirements to report this month — one final-

ized in November and the other in December.Daniel Coffey of Albertsons finally got his November

retirement completed. Daniel was in the industry for morethan 30 years. He started in September 1974 as a meatcutter with Fazio’s in Downey and stayed there untilAugust 1981. In September 1984, he went to LuckyStores and continued there through the buyout byAlbertsons, finishing last year in Apple Valley as the meatmanager.

In December, Joseph Fernandez of Albertsons ended36 years in the industry, also pulling a November retire-ment. Joseph started with Bazaar Foods in 1972 andstayed until 1974. In 1976, he started with Smiths inCovina and remained through the Lucky takeover in 1984and, still later, the buyout by Albertsons in 2000. Sincethen he was produce manager in Riverside until Octoberof last year.

Congratulations, retirees! Enjoy yourselves!

JUST MARRIEDSheri Lynn Short of Great Smiles married RichardJoseph Stiebel on Aug. 18. They were married in LakeArrowhead and honeymooned in Lake Tahoe, Nev. ...

Melissa Dunlap of Stater Bros. mar-ried Nicholas Moreno on Oct. 6. ...Collette Sharp of Ralphs marriedWilliam Mauz on Nov. 4. They marriedin Newport Beach and honeymooned inLas Vegas. ... Cassandra Acevedo ofRite Aid married Anthony Spaise at theMonte Carlo in Las Vegas on Nov. 17.... Eddica Carbajal of Stater Bros mar-ried Raymond Robles on Nov. 29 inRedlands.

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

JUST BORNHector Bonilla of Albertsons tells usof the birth of his daughter Delila onAug. 11. ... Michelle Phelps of Vonsannounced the arrival on Nov. 7 ofTyler Dominic at 7 lbs., 12 oz. ...Stephanie Ojeda and Hector Rangel,

both of Stater Bros., announce the arrival of their newbaby boy, Nathan Andrew, on Dec. 2 at 7 lbs., 7 oz. ...On Dec. 6, Jessica Arvizu of Stater Bros. had a daugh-ter, Jaylynn Marie, weighing 8 lbs., 15 oz. ... EddicaCarbajal of Stater Bros. also delivered on Dec. 6.Dominic Julien weighed in at 8 lbs., 4 oz. ... TomasVallalobos of Albertsons tells us of the arrival of hisdaughter, Mia Anahi, on Dec. 7 at 8 lbs., 9 oz. ... RandyGonzalez of Albertsons had a daughter on Dec. 9.Amanda weighed 8.8 lbs. ... Jennifer Birdsong ofAlbertsons delivered a boy, Brian William Bato, Jr., onDec. 12. Brian weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz. ... Marcus Ruiz ofStater Bros. announced the arrival on Dec. 17 of AubreyMadison at 8 lbs., 4 oz. ... Refugio Diaz of Stater Bros.and his wife Arlene tell us of the arrival of Irene Jaedaat 5 lbs., 9 oz ... Jesus Ramirez of Vons tells us thatOrlando was born on Dec. 22. He weighed 8 lbs., 7 oz.Jesus tells us: “He’ll have a good time with his brother.”... Jamie Ortiz of Golden Triangle Dentistry gave birthto Gavin Nicholas on Dec. 28. He weighed 6 lbs., 5 oz.... Amanda Pena of Food 4 Less and her spouse Ronaldhad their first baby, Aidan Orion, on Jan. 9. He weighed9 lbs., 10 oz. ... Denice Paez of Stater Bros. tells us ofthe arrival of Ariel Jayleen on Jan. 11 at 8 lbs., 4 oz.

Congratulations to our new moms, dads and expandingfamilies!

What’s Happening

by Maureen McCabe

YOUR UNION

You AreInteresting!

Tell Us AboutYourself

You are the most

interesting thing about our

union! If there’s something

unusual or newsworthy

about your life, hobbies,

abilities or talents, call us at

the office and tell us about

it so that we may consider

doing a feature about you

in the Desert Edge. Just ask

for Kathleen Franks or

your Union Rep.

President Bill Lathrop

Convention delegates nomination meetings

T he official call for the Aug. 18-22, 2008,UFCW Convention has been received.Local 1167, by virtue of membership, isentitled to send 24 delegates. However,

the Executive Board has recommended that thelocal only send 13 delegates in an effort toreduce costs. The Executive Board also recom-mended that no more than two alternates benominated.

Eligibility requirements for delegates andalternates: Must be an active member of Local1167 who has been an active member of theUFCW International Union, or who had been amember of another organization merged with orchartered by the UFCW International Union ormerged into a Local Union of the UFCWInternational Union, for a continuous aggregatesince December 2007.

In accordance with the Constitution andBylaws of the UFCW, the nomination meetingsfor delegates from UFCW Local 1167 are sched-uled as follows:

BLYTHE March 24, 2008, at 7 p.m

Comfort Inn & Suites545 E. Hobson WayBlythe, CA 92225

MENIFEE March 27, 2008, at 7 p.m.

Menifee Lakes Country Club29875 Menifee Lakes Drive,

Menifee, CA 92584

VICTORVILLE March 28, 2008, at 7 p.m.

Mirage RoomHilton Garden Inn

12603 Mariposa RoadVictorville CA 92395

NEEDLESMarch 31, 2008, at 7 p.m.Travelers Inn, 1195 3rd St.

Needles CA 92363

PALM DESERTApril 1, 2008, at 7 p.m.

Palm Desert Embassy Suites74700 US Highway 111Palm Desert, CA 92260

BLOOMINGTONApril 2, 2008, at 7 p.m.Local 1167 Auditorium

EL CENTRO April 3, 2008, at 7 p.m.

Eagle’s Lodge661 State St.

El Centro, CA 92243

FEBRUARY 2008 DESERT EDGE PAGE 3

By Bill Collard

Whois theunion?

UNION REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT

YYoouurr UUnniioonn RReepprreesseennttaattiivvee iiss jjuusstt aa pphhoonnee ccaallll aawwaayy......

((990099)) 887777--55000000 // ((880000)) 669988--UUFFCCWW

BBIINNGGOO!!Everyone’s invited!

Play is open to the public! Come have fun and win money!

Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.Thursdays, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Activities at the Local 1167 Auditorium, 855 W. San Bernardino Ave.

UFCW Local 1167 Retirees ClubMonthly Meeting and Potluck!Wednesday, Feb. 20

want you to get agitated overhot-button issues like guncontrol, gay rights, abortionand church-state issues —anything but the economicand health-related issues thatmatter. Devote your time andenergy to the ones that affectyou, your family and yourunion.

While we have not yetchosen a candidate to supportin the presidential election,we will do so in the future.When we do, we will ask foryour help so that we can electsomeone who works for our

interests in the presidency.It is important that every

union member participates inthe political process, even ifit is simply writing to yoursenator, representative, statelegislator, city councilmem-ber or county supervisor (seepage 5 for addresses). Itmakes a real difference whentheir constituents take thetime to make their viewsknown.

Whether or not you volun-teer in the coming cam-paigns, please register andvote. Make yourself heard!

Who is the union? Theunion is you!

Your union is alsoyour bagger, your

checker, your meat cutter, your pro-duce clerk, your stocker, your phar-macist and everyone else who hasthe privilege of membership inUFCW Local 1167.

As a union representative, I rep-resent you!

So, the next time you’re askedthe question, “Who is the union?”you can answer with pride, “Myunion is me!”

How strong is your union? Yourunion is as strong as you are!

When we remember this andunite to work together, we canmove mountains.

This year our union’s strengthwas tested by difficult negotiations.Through solidarity we were able toachieve our goals and ratify greatcontracts.

You stood strong even when you

were called upon to authorize apossible strike.

Remember, if it’s worth having,it’s worth standing up and fightingfor!

When I was a young boy, Iaccompanied my father to unionmeetings. At one meeting, a manstood up and said the union wasweak. My father and others stoodup and challenged him.

My father asked, “Do you thinkI’m weak?” The man said no.

My father replied: “When yousay my union is weak, you’re say-ing that you and I are both weak.”

That event made a big impact onme.

It showed me who and what theunion was.

I am proud to represent myunion and all of you. When westand together, we can do anything.

Get involved in your union andvolunteer your time.

Remember: Your union is YOU!

President’s Report

Participate in the political process

(Continued from front page)

Retirees Club Officers InstalledUFCW Local 1167 President Bill Lathrop, at right, administers the oath of office to the

officers of the Retirees Club. From left: President Mary Lou Hogue, TreasurerSelina Nacsin, Vice President Salvatore Lograsso and Secretary Richard Garcia.

AttendYour

UnionMeetings

See page 8 for dates!

PAGE 4 DESERT EDGE FEBRUARY 2008

Application deadline: Feb. 29

T he Scholarship AwardProgram jointly spon-sored by the Employerand Union Trustees of

the UFCW and FoodEmployers Benefit Fund isone of the best offered tounion members anywhere. TheScholarship Award Programcan help you or your childearn a degree, certificationor license and find newopportunities for prosperityand success.

Members are eligible toapply for an award if theyhave completed a year ofservices as of October 2007and are still activelyemployed in the SouthernCalifornia Retail FoodIndustry when the Awardsare determined. Dependentchildren are eligible to applyif the member has at leastthree years of service and isunmarried, less than 24years of age, and met otherFund qualifications, includ-ing the requirement that themember be employed in the

Industry when the awards aredetermined. The deadline forScholarship AwardApplications is Feb. 29,2008. All members shouldreceive an application in themail. If you did not receiveone, please call your union orthe Trust Fund office at 714-220-2297 or 562-408-2715.

In addition to scholarships, the UFCW and Food Employers

Benefit Fund offers tuition assistance.

The fund will pay up to $1,000 ifa member is enrolled in a pre-

approved Industry AdvancementCourse at an accredited university

that is focused on improving a mem-ber’s ability to do his or her job.To apply, members should contact

the Trust Fund or Local 1428 and askfor a Tuition Assistance Application.

Trust Fund Scholarship Programnow accepting applications

Tuition assistance available!

‘Freedom is never given; it is won.’ — A. Philip Randolph

FFebruary is Black History Month, chosenbecause it includes the birthdays of bothFrederick Douglass and PresidentAbraham Lincoln.

Also called African-American HistoryMonth or African Heritage Month, BlackHistory Month was established in 1976 by theAfro-Americans for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. It is an expansionof Negro History Week, founded in 1926 byCarter G. Woodson to celebrate the memory ofDouglass, the great African-American aboli-

tionists of the 19th century.Until recently, American history books only

briefly mentioned African-American leaderssuch as George Washington Carver and MartinLuther King. That situation has been changingas more school systems incorporate obser-vances of Black History Month into their cur-riculum.

“Please join your union brothers and sistersthis month in celebration of African-Americanhistory and heritage during Black HistoryMonth,” President Bill Lathrop said.

“With a union, workerscan approach theiremployers as proudand upright equals,not as trembling andbowing slaves. Indeed,a solid union contractis, in a very real sense,another EmancipationProclamation.”

— A. Philip Randolph

Nation observes Black History Month

UFCW INTERNATIONAL UNION FOOD TRUST MEMBERS ONLY

FEBRUARY 2008 DESERT EDGE PAGE 5

W hen front office staff memberJennifer Padilla heard from herfriend that there was an opening onthe staff of Local 1167, she jumped

at the opportunity to apply.“I am a strong supporter of the union and

couldn’t think of a better organization to workfor,” she said.

Padilla has been working in the front officesince last May.

Padilla worked at Stater Bros. 89 in Redlandsand has been a Stater Bros. member for 11 years.Prior to that she worked as a receptionist and as amedical assistant.

She particularly likes helping members under-stand more about the union.

“We help them with questions about member-ship, dues and discounts,” Padilla said. “But I alsotry to let callers know how important the union isfor its members. You can’t get the pay, benefitsand protections we have without a union.”

She said her experiences in the stores for somany years will help her ability to help memberswho call the union.

“The experience I gained in talking to myunion representatives and union staff while I wasin the store is invaluable,” she said.

Padilla and her husband, Tobias, live inMentone with their two daughters, Victoria, 8, andVanessa, 4.

In her spare time she enjoys being with herfamily, making beaded bracelets and designingcollages using stickers and stencils.

Ready for a change? Write your congressperson!

The beauty of America’s democracy is that the government represents the people. If you feel that Congress needs to act a certain way on a certain issue,you have the freedom to call your representatives and let them know (and if they don’t vote accordingly, you have the power to boot them out of office

in the next election). As a union member, let your representatives know that it is their responsibility to vote for pro-labor issues on your behalf.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer(Sacramento)501 I St., Suite 7-600Sacramento, CA 95814(916) 448-2787(916) 448-2563 (fax)www.boxer.senate.gov

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Los Angeles)11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915Los Angeles, CA 90025(310) 914-7300(310) 914-7318 (fax)www.feinstein.senate.gov

U.S. Rep. Jerry Lewis1150 Brookside Ave., Suite J-5Redlands, CA 92373(909) 862-6030(800) 233-1700 (toll-free within Calif.)www.house.gov/jerrylewis

U.S. Rep. Bob Filner2428 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-8045(202) 225-9073 (fax)www.house.gov/filner

U.S. Rep. Mary Bono104 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-5330(202) 225-2961 (fax)www.bono.house.gov

U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter2265 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-5672(202) 225-0235 (fax)www.house.gov/hunter

U.S. Rep. Joe Baca1527 Longworth House OfficeBuildingWashington, DC 20515-0542(202) 225-6161(202) 225-8671 (fax)www.house.gov/baca

Meet Jennifer Padilla in the office

Wal-Mart plans to open a new,smaller size of grocery storein the Phoenix area after itsBritish rival Tesco moved

into the region with its Fresh & Easystores.

Wal-Mart said it will test four newstores about half the size of its existingNeighborhood Market grocery stores,which are themselves much smaller thanWal-Mart Supercenters.

The move comes after Tesco openedits first U.S. stores last fall in the LosAngeles area. Tesco’s Fresh & Easy mar-kets are small stores aimed at shopperswho find big stores inconvenient.

Wal-Mart reacts toFresh & Easy storesSet to test smaller grocery stores

Jennifer Padilla

PAGE 6 DESERT EDGE FEBRUARY 2008

In MemoriamMarshall Avila, a retired meat cutter formerly employed by Smith Packing,Sieck’s Packing, Inland Empire Meat Co. and Olsen Meat, died Dec. 15, 2007 atthe age of 90. He had been a member since August 1947.

Larry Christ, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Stater Bros. Markets,died Jan. 13, 2008 at the age of 62. He had been a member since July 1967.

Freda Kalian-Arnold, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Safewayand Albertsons, died Oct. 1, 2007, at the age of 78. She had been a continuousmember since April 1967.

Donna Menkveld, a retired drug clerk formerly employed by Thrifty Drug,died Aug. 15, 2007 at the age of 80. She had been a member since November1966.

Jessica Moreno, a food clerk employed by Stater Bros. Markets, died Dec.25, 2007, at the age of 47. She had been a member since September 1993.

William Spears, a retired meat cutter formerly employed by McCoys andMarket Basket, died Jan. 5, 2008, at the age of 84. He was a former ExecutiveBoard member of Meat Cutters Local 439 and had been a union member sinceJune 1948.

Our condolences to the families of these deceased members.

If you are one of the few members of the local who are not yet signed up for dues checkoff:

FEBRUARY DUES ARE NOW DUE AND PAYABLE. IF NOT PAID ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1, 2008,YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY SUSPEND YOURSELF.

With dues checkoff, all future dues can be deducted automatically from your paycheck. If youdo not have an authorization form, call the local and one will be sent to you immediately.

Non-payment or payment of the incorrect amount will automatically suspend you—a costlyand inconvenient mistake. Although not required, the local as a courtesy normally sendsbilling notices by first-class mail to those not on dues checkoff. It is the member’s obligationto pay dues in a timely manner. Not receiving a notice is not an excuse for failure to pay dueson time.

Avoid Suspension.Authorize Dues Checkoff Today!

YYoouurr DDuueess NNooww PPaayyaabbllee!!Sign Up for Dues Checkoff

Bill restores respect forbreast cancer patients

A 12-year-old bill thatwould protect breastcancer patients whohave mastectomies is

finally gaining significantmomentum in Congress.

The bill, called the BreastCancer Patient Protection Act,would require insurance com-panies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay after apatient has undergone a mas-tectomy to stop cancerousgrowth.

The bill, originally intro-duced by U.S. Rep. RosaDeLauro (D-Conn.), is nowcalled HR 119 and was referredto the House Subcommittee onHealth in February 2007. It isdesigned to eliminate the insur-ance practice of “outpatient” or“drive-through” mastectomiesthat force patients to go homesometimes hours after the pro-cedure, with drainage tubes stillattached.

The Lifetime television net-work has sponsored an onlinepetition campaign to get the billto the House floor for the firsttime since its introduction in1996.

David Emery of About.comwrote: “The bill would requirehealth plans to ‘provide cover-age for a minimum hospitalstay for mastectomies, lumpec-tomies and lymph node dissec-tion for the treatment of breastcancer and coverage for sec-ondary consultations.’ Its spon-sors say the legislation neithermandates a 48-hour hospitalstay nor sets 48 hours as themaximum. It is meant toensure that the decision will bemade by the patient and herdoctor, not the insurance com-pany.”

To sign your support for thebill, visit www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpeti-tion.php.

Wal-Mart CEO Scott shares company health plan with part-time employees

(Why not? He can afford it!)

O n a day when Wal-MartCEO Lee Scott received a$4.28-million bonus, Wal-Mart held a conference

call to discuss a survey it conduct-ed on its health care plan.

On the call, it was announcedthat Scott has the same healthcareplan as a part-time Wal-Martcashier.

“It’s no surprise Lee Scott is onthe Wal-Mart health care plan —it’s a plan only a well-compensatedCEO could love,” said MeghanScott, spokesperson for Wake-

UpWalMart.com. “With a new $5 million bonus,

Lee Scott doesn’t have to worryabout the high deductibles or premi-ums that come along with so manyof the retail giant’s health careplans. But average workers do.

“The fact is that nearly 20 per-cent of Wal-Mart workers have nocoverage at all or rely on state fund-ed programs for their care. Thatmeans taxpayers across the countrycontinue to pay a high price forWal-Mart’s refusal to put forth aplan all of its workers can afford.”

Some mail has been returned to us by the United States Post Office because of anincorrect address. Please fill out this card and return it to us with your correct address.This matter must be taken care of immediately or we will not be held responsible for

any future mail returned to this office.

CORRECT ADDRESS ANDPHONE NUMBER A MUST

You lose out if there is no correct address and telephone number on file for you. We know the prob-lem: people move frequently. But it only takes a phone call, a minute with the union rep or a letter

to our office. It could avoid a big problem with a hospital, medical claim or pension inquiry.

NAME___________________________________________________________

ADDRESS________________________________________________________

CITY_________________________________________ZIP_________________

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER_________________________________________

STORE_____________________________________#_____________________

HOME PHONE ______________________________AREA CODE___________

Thank you, United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1167

FEBRUARY 2008 DESERT EDGE PAGE 7

Labor leaders and membersfrom 26 affiliates in theUFCW, the Teamsters, theLongshore & Warehouse

Union and the Operating Engineersmet in Las Vegas late in 2007 toshare ideas and develop a unitedresponse to the Tesco’s non-unionFresh & Easy stores.

The convention was the next stepin a series of joint ventures under thebanner of the Food & Drug Council,a coalition of unions in the retail

food and drug industries. “All of the labor organizations in

the FDC share common goals thatprotect their members’ living stan-dards,” said President Bill Lathrop.“We can meet these goals best whenwe work together in the spirit ofunion solidarity.”

Delegates from across Californiamet to discuss health care, politics,contract negotiations and organiza-tion strategies. They also joined localunion members at a rally outside one

of the new Fresh & Easy markets inLas Vegas.

Tesco said that it hopes to captureone-sixth of the American grocerymarket with its small-scale, non-union stores. While the company isunionized in the United Kingdom, ithas refused to speak with representa-tives of the American Labor Move-ment about unionizing its operationsin the United States.

“Tesco has been called the ‘Wal-Mart of the U.K.’ because of its rapid

expansion policies and its poor treat-ment of workers in other parts of theworld,” Lathrop said. “We will dowhatever it takes to protect the rightsand dignity of working people herein America from the likes of Tesco.”

The Food and Drug Council coor-dinates the efforts of its affiliates,which are the largest unions in theretail food and drug industries inCalifornia to educate the publicabout the benefits of working andbuying union.

Food & Drug Council meets to develop response to Fresh & Easy

Union Representatives Matt Bruno, Christina Pugsley and Rick Bruer stand with Secretary-Treasurer Brent Denkers in front of the the FDC’s big-rig truck.

PAGE 8 DESERT EDGE FEBRUARY 2008

January 2008 2008 TotalBack pay and benefits $376.93 $376.93restored to members

Members reinstated 33 33

Grievances settled 72 72

IT PAYS TO BE UNION!

2008 Membership MeetingsMarch 26 June 25

September 24 December 17Meetings start at 7 p.m., UFCW Auditorium, Bloomington

Greg Tatum believes in supporting his union

G reg Tatum has seen a lot ofchanges in the 33 years hehas been in the industry.

Tatum, who is the stewardat Vons 1767 in Brawley, has alwaysbelieved in supporting his union andwas active in union affairs evenbefore the stewards program wasimplemented two years ago.

“I attended meetings to stayinformed,” Tatum said. “I made surethat my union representatives knewthat they could count on me for any-thing they needed.”

Tatum said the industry haschanged since he began in 1974.

“The companies don’t treat peoplethey way they did when I started,” hesaid. “They don’t seem to value their

employees as much. Managers arealways looking to get people in trou-ble. That makes the union more nec-essary than ever.”

Tatum cited the case of a memberat his store who was falsely accused

of stealing.“They tried to fire him,” Tatum

recalled. “He was suspended for ayear while the union went to bat forhim. The case went all the way toarbitration and we got his job back forhim with full back pay.”

Tatum said that without the union,the employers would be paying inferi-or Wal-Mart wages and benefits.

“I guarantee you that we wouldn’thave the health benefits we have,” hesaid. “We wouldn’t have the overtimepay we have, or Sunday pay andtime-and-a-half. And we certainlywouldn’t have the Golden-85.”

Golden-85 is especially near anddear to Tatum, since he plans to retirein February.

“I’m only 52,” Tatum said. “Whereelse can you retire with a full pensionat that age? That’s what our union hasdone for us. That’s why I tell all ofthe younger workers at my store toattend meetings and volunteer forunion activities. That’s the best wayto keep our union strong and vital.”

Tatum and his wife, Sylvia, havethree adult children and one grand-child. He said that he might look for ajob after he retires to stay active.

He also plans to play golf morethan the two times a week he doesnow and spend more time with hisseven month old grandson.

“I’ve had a great career,” Tatumsaid. “I thank our union for making itall possible.”

Presidents’ Day is Feb. 18.

Sixth Annual Joe F. Barragan Memorial Foundation

Golf TournamentMonday, April 28, 2008Sierra Lakes Golf Club

16600 Clubhouse Drive, Fontana, CA 92336Sponsored by UFCW 1167 and 1428

Proceeds to benefit the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and the UFCW 1167 and 1428 scholarship Programs

Reservations limited to the first 144 playersIndividual Golfer: $250 each

UFCW 1167 or 1428 Member Golfer: $60For details, contact Diane Sedor @ (909) 626-3333 or Rick Bruer @ (909) 877-5000Join us for a day of golf, prizes and fun for a worthy cause!

I n your mailbox youwill find an importanttool that can help youimprove your quality

of life — and get paid for it!It’s called the HealthRisk Questionnaire.With the HRQ, you can makea comprehensive assessmentof your overall health and, inthe process, identify anyhealth risks that you shouldaddress.

After you have completedthe HRQ and sent it in, youwill receive a personalized wellnessplan, as well as information tailoredto your situation that will guide youin making healthy changes for life.

The HRQ is voluntary, confidentialand — as part of the New IndemnityMedical Plan — there is no cost toyou. In fact, you will receive an extracontribution to your HealthReimbursement Account if you com-plete and return your questionnaireby March 1, 2008.

“The Health Risk Questionnaire is

a great benefit,” said President BillLathrop. “Be sure to fill it out rightaway and return it to the Local imme-diately!”

Look for the HRQ in the mail (seephoto) and return it by March 1,2008, in order to qualify for the addi-tional contribution to your HRA.

If you need help filling out yourquestionnaire, have questions of yourown, or haven’t received a question-naire in the mail, please call theAssistance Line, (800) 461-9179.

Look for your HRQ:Fill it out and send it in!

For members enrolled in the new indemnity medical plan

Greg Tatum