UnionWize Jan-Feb 2013

from the president’s desk …

The Real Value of a Strong Union

The single most important func-tion of our union is to negotiate your contract and enforce it in your place of work. At a time when political and economic factors are working against the middle class, the true and lasting value of union membership becomes even more apparent.

A non-union employer can treat their employees according to their whim. Workers have no voice in how they will be treated. Wages, benefits and working conditions are only governed by weak laws that say you have to be paid at least so much, or offered health care you probably can’t afford after working at least so long, or worksite safety at least as effective as the threat of an inspection. Unfor-tunately, when companies write the rules, their employees always seem to get the least.

That’s why workers join together to make their concerns heard. The members of Local 1059 come together with the experience and organization of union staff to craft a fair deal for employees. Your contract is a legally binding agreement on the pay you can expect, the vacations you’ve earned, the health insurance you can rely on and the retirement you can plan for.

But now that your union negoti-ated contract gives you these rights, what is there to stop management from violating provisions of this collective agreement? Here again, union staff serve as police for keeping the work-place operating according to your con-tract, visiting regularly to inform new members of their rights, addressing management’s infractions and keeping an eye on employee safety.

One of the most important lan-guage pieces in any contract is the “just cause” provision. Despite the binding nature of your contract, employers will attempt to violate your rights at work. Through ignorance or expedience, some managers will want to discipline

ou are the Union. This union is more than the union representatives that service your worksite. It’s not just the organizers that build our strength by bringing a voice to new workers. UFCW Local 1059 is each one of us. And

it’s all of us—stronger than a single worker, a force for generations, a movement.

President Randy Quickel

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Notice of Nominations for Delegates and Alternates to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Convention can be found on page 7.

employees for any little reason—or none at all. Particularly if the manager has experience outside of a union shop, they may expect that level of power over workers. The law allows non-union employers to fire workers for how they dress, how they behave when not at work, even their reputa-tion, to name only a few factors.

The union shop—the union em-ployee—is held to a higher standard. “Just cause” is test for determining whether disciplinary action was taken in accordance with the worker’s union rights or whether those rights were violated. Take a look at the test on page 3 for an idea of how “just cause” is determined. The questions probably seem simple, which just emphasizes how few rights non-union workers possess.

Let’s say your employer infringes your rights. Even if the discipline violates your legal rights in addition to contractual rights your union has negotiated, how do you make sure the discipline is retracted? For a non-union worker, they would most likely

UFCW LOCAL 1059 JAnUAry / FebrUAry 2013 VOL. 35 nO. 1

continued on page 3…

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s officers’ reportsRandy Quickel, President ...........................................1 “The Real Value of a Strong Union”

Mark Fluharty, Secretary-Treasurer .............................4 “Serving Our Communities”

Mark Hertenstein, Service Director ............................5 “Schedule Your Vacations Early”

Paul Smithberger, Collective Bargaining Director .......6“Our Focus on Collective Bargaining”

Tina Morgan, Organizing Director ...........................10 “Knowing Both Sides of the American Red Cross”

Jason Kaseman, Political Director .............................11 “The Kasich Budget Shifts Tax Burden to Middle Class”

Rick Gregory, Education Director ............................13 “Good Communication Skills: The Key to a Successful Life”

featuresThe “Just Cause” Test ..................................................3

UFCW International Convention ...............................7

UFCW Local 1059 Scholarship Application ...............7

UFCW Local 1059 Member Attends Presidential Inauguration ..............................8

UFCW Ohio Lobby Day .............................................9

ABC Contest Winner ................................................11

Employer & Negotiations Updates ............................12

Discounted Movie Theater Tickets ............................13

UFCW Local 1059 Scholarships ...............................14

officers

UFCW Local 1059 UnionWize is published bi-monthly by UFCW Local 1059 at 4150 E. Main Street, Columbus OH 43213-2962.

Postmaster: Send address change to UFCW Local 1059, 4150 E. Main Street, Columbus 43213-2962.

Mark Hertenstein Paul Smithberger Service Director Collective Bargaining Director

Tina Morgan Jason KasemanOrganizing Director Political Director

Rick Gregory Education Director

Vice PresidentsSteve Allen John Angeloff Allison Appel J. R. BerroyerLouis Cruse Frank GermanJosh Greenlee Rhonda HelcherMark Hertenstein Cheryl HoffmanLonnie Newman Mike Nichols Brian Perkins Carol Prater Dave Renneckar Jim Ryder Gene Smith John Smith Juanita Smith Keith Smith Kim Smith Carlos Stiffler

Union RepresentativesAllison Appel J. R. BerroyerAnthony Bridges Sylvester CarothersMark Dersom Barbara FletcherTom Gartner Rhonda HelcherNeil Hertenstein John King Diana Marlette Mike Nichols Brian Perkins Mack Quesenberry John Smith Carlos Stiffler

Randy QuickelPresident/Editor

Mark FluhartySecretary-Treasurer

Barbara FletcherRecorder

Contact UFCW Local 1059 by calling 614.237.7671 or 800.282.6488 and entering your party’s extension:Mark Hertenstein ................................205Neil Hertenstein ..................................217Jason Kaseman ....................................240John King ............................................204Diana Marlette ....................................239Tina Morgan .......................................235Mike Nichols ......................................214Brian Perkins .......................................244

Mack Quesenberry ..............................209John Smith ..........................................203Paul Smithberger .................................250Carlos Stiffler ......................................218Administrative Office ..........................223Dues Office .........................................229Organizing Director ............................235Service Director ...................................205

Allison Appel .......................................216J. R. Berroyer ......................................206Anthony Bridges .................................242Sylvester Carothers ..............................236Mark Derson .......................................238Bobbie Fletcher ...................................215Tom Gartner .......................................237Rhonda Helcher ..................................211

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vol. 35 / no. 1 UNIONWIZE

UFCW Local 1059 | 4150 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43213 | www.ufcw1059.com

have to pay a lawyer to represent them. Union members get representation from knowledgeable union staff as a right of union membership.

In fact, the law requires employ-ers to allow union representation for any worker brought in to a disciplin-ary meeting, as long as the member requests the representation. These We-ingarten Rights, as they are commonly called, are another benefit of union membership. If management conducts an interview with an employee that could lead to possible discipline, that union member has a right to request the advice and guidance of a union rep-resentative or a union steward. Some of our members have contractual language that even requires management to tell you that you have the right to union representation.

All of these rights, embodied in your respective union contracts, were not possible without the solidarity of the UFCW Local 1059 membership. Companies don’t just give away benefits or offer to pay higher wages or provide more comprehensive health care. These are all things workers must take for themselves. They must hold strong as one united voice and be willing to act in order to protect those convictions.

That strength serves union mem-bers away from the bargaining table as

well. It helps maintain an efficient staff of knowledgeable men and women who are able to visit your worksite regularly, train new members and ef-fectively enforce your rights. It allows the union to offer scholarships like those in this issue, providing help to our members and their children as they strive for higher education. It brings together the resources to offer mem-bership assistance to those in times of need, free car seats for our newborns, an opportunity to meet Santa Claus during the holidays or just to compete in a friendly game of softball with fel-low union members.

And that’s not to say anything of the discounts our large membership is able to negotiate for theme park admissions, movie tickets and numer-ous other services advertised in every issue of UnionWize and available to you in the Members Area of our web-site (www.ufcw1059.com). In tough economic times, these benefits outside the workplace can offer affordable op-portunities to have fun and be with our families.

Family is at the heart of the union movement. We demand fair pay be-cause our families depend on us. We stand with one another at the bargain-ing table because—no matter our gender, our age, our department—we

are brothers and sisters. Recently, our extended union

family came under attack in Michigan when politicians passed a law making it harder for workers to stand together for better pay and better benefits. The same corporate-funded campaigns are at work throughout the Midwest, trying to break the middle class and silence workers. Anti-worker groups may use the misleading term “Right to Work” to describe these political tac-tics, but we know what they truly are: No Rights at Work.

This is a real threat to our way of life. It is a threat to our families. If you need your wages, your health care, your retirement, your dignity at work—if you need these things, you know the value of this union. As more and more people join the workforce without knowing the power of standing togeth-er, we must be proud and vocal.

Workers have never achieved any lasting success without fighting for it together. Whether the next battle comes at the bargaining table or the ballot booth, I’m confident we can meet the challenge together, as a union.

from the president’s desk ……continued from page 1

the “Just cause” test flat “no” answer to one or more of the following questions indicates that the employer’s

action was arbitrary, capricious and/or discriminatory in one or more respects, signifying an abuse of managerial dis-cretion and allowing the arbitrator to substitute his judgment for that of the employer.

• Did management adequately warn the employee of the consequences of his/her conduct?

A • Was management’s rule or order reasonably related to efficient and safe operations?

• Did Management investigate what happened before administering the discipline?

• Was the investigation fair and objective?

• Did the investigation produce substantial evidence or proof of guilt?

• Were the rules, orders and penal-ties applied evenhandedly and without discrimination to all employees?

• Was the penalty reasonably related to the seriousness of the offense and the past record?

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UNIONWIZE january / february 2013


Serving Our Communitiesby Mark Fluharty, Secretary-Treasurer

s I was get-

ting ready to enjoy the Super Bowl, there was

an award presented in the pre-game that caught my attention. The Walter Payton Award. The annual award is presented by the Walter Payton family to an NFL player in recognition of his outstanding community service. This year’s award went to Jason Whitten of the Dallas Cowboys.

I was pleased to see that in all of the hype surrounding the big game, time was taken to honor someone, not just for his athletic skill and ability, but for being an important part of the community. This singular award was earned by helping to make our neigh-borhoods better places to live. I was humbled to see Jason accept the award, and I appreciate it as an accomplish-ment on par with winning the Super Bowl MVP trophy.

Now, as you know, you don’t have to be an NFL player to be commit-ted to community service. Many of us commit ourselves to selfless work each day with little or no recognition. We do it to help make our communities better and to help those in need.

That’s one reason I was so honored when my own, modest efforts were rec-ognized this year. On January 17, I was

sworn in as a board member for St. Ste-phens’s Commu-nity House, which has been serving Central Ohio since 1919. I had my first experience at St. Stephen’s back in 1991 when, as a new union representative, I participated in the Christmas Care/One New Toy program for the first time. I’ve come back to help every year since.

This year—in partnership with the Central Ohio Labor Council and several other organizations includ-ing Kroger, Meijer, General Mills and Bellisio Foods—we were able to help provide food and toys to over 3,600 families. That’s thousands of indi-viduals affected by the efforts of St. Stephen’s. None of that would have been possible without the hard work of hundreds of volunteers, many of whom were members of UFCW Local 1059. Our union has always been committed, not only to serving our membership, but also to enriching the communities in which our members live and work.

This year—like every year—will have its challenges. We have many con-tract negotiations coming up in 2013

as well as numerous events that might interest you. In particular, I’d like to note the many community service op-portunities we have scheduled this year:

Mid-Ohio FoodbankApril 17, 5:30-8:30 pm

YWCA Family CenterJuly 29, 5:00–8:00 pm

October 30, 5:00–8:00 pm

One New ToyDecember 19-22

I would like to thank all of our members for their help over the years. Your outpouring of support and com-mitment to helping one another has made this union great.

A

St. Stephen’s Community House Board of Directors

Thank You to All of Our 2012 Volunteers

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them for you. Most of our contracts spell out the procedure for vacation requests, and they vary from contract to contract. For some members, they’ll have to submit requests by the end of January or mid-February.

Plan your vacation. Then get your request on the schedule as soon as you can. Once it is approved, you won’t have to stress about the time off—just enjoy it. The best vacation slots are granted in most contracts by senior-ity, but some of our contracts grant them by who gets the request in first. You might not get your first choice, so always have a backup plan ready, just in case.

Whatever the terms of your specific contract— vacations, paid days off or paid times off—it is your union-

by Mark Hertenstein, Service Director

negotiated benefit. It’s an opportunity to travel, to spend time with those im-portant to you and, most importantly, to recharge your batteries.

With a little planning, I hope 2013 allows everyone to enjoy the paid vaca-tions their hard work and solidarity have earned them.

Begin-ning the

New Year, many of us look back and reflect

on the lessons we have learned over the last year. One of those regrets might be that you weren’t able to schedule your vacations when you wanted and had to take what was left over instead. This can be prevented so you don’t have a repeat in 2013.

With snow and ice outside, what better time to turn your thoughts to the vacations that get us away from it all. It is important to start prepar-ing now and schedule your vacations early, before your employer schedules

Schedule Your Vacations Early

Grievance report2012 Totals

Grievance Success Rate ......... 82%Grievances Settled .............. 1,025Monetary Awards .... $177,067.15

Free TAx PrePArATiOn Call 2.1.1 • Fast ReFund

Prepareyourowntaxreturnsatwww.myfreetaxes.com/taxtime•Call2.1.1or800.648.1176tofindfreetaxprepsitesnearyou

household inComes up to $60,000 in 2012 Are eLigibLe FOr Free TAx PrePArATiOn!More and more, hardworking people are finding it difficult to keep-up financially. If individuals and families are to realize long-term financial independence, they must have access to tools and resources to maximize their income and help them begin to build assets. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps bridge the gap between what people earn and what is needed to survive. Claimed on a person’s tax return, it is designed to supplement wages and reward work.

do You Qualify for the earned income tax Credit?Number of children Max income if single Max income if married Max credit for you

No children ................................... $13,980 $19,190 $475One child ...................................... $36,920 $42,130 $3,169Two children ................................. $41,952 $47,162 $5,236Three or more children .................. $45,060 $50,270 $5,891

What to bring with you: Photo ID; Social Security Cards for yourself, spouse and dependents; W-2 forms; all 1098 and 1099 forms; childcare provider’s name, address and tax ID; copy of last year’s tax returns; and your checking or savings account information to arrange for direct deposit of your return.

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Our Focus on Collective Bargainingby Paul Smithberger, Collective Bargaining Director

am very excited

to be UFCW Local 1059’s new Collective Bargaining Director and to have the opportunity to focus on negotiations for the union. This is a difficult time for workers and now, more than ever, employees need assistance in getting their fair share. I pledge to help Presi-dent Quickel and Secretary-Treasurer Fluharty in accomplishing their goal of protecting Local 1059 members and moving workers forward.

I have been directly involved with most major negotiations including Kroger, Meijer and General Mills since the 1990s. Healthcare and pen-sions are areas about which I have a special passion, and I will continue to work to provide quality healthcare at affordable prices and protect workers when they reach retirement age.

In 2013, we are negotiating multiple contracts including Meijer,

General Mills, Sugar Creek and U.S. Corrugated. We have also been in extended negotiations to get a first contract with American Red Cross. These are workers that desperately needed union representation and, at some point, we may be asking for membership help to show support for these workers (for more on that, see Organizing Director Tina Morgan’s article on page 10).

For future bargaining this year, we will be sending out surveys that you can return in postage paid envelopes. Please take the time to answer the questions and, just as importantly, use the comments section to inform us of anything else that we need to know about your concerns.

We are in the process of develop-ing those surveys, reviewing contract language, categorizing and evaluating grievances as well as talking to union representatives who service these particular stores or plants.

I mentioned at the beginning that

I am excited about the opportunity to focus on collective bargaining. UFCW Local 1059 has done an exceptional job of negotiating con-tracts over the years. The negotiating wheel is not broken. In fact, Presi-dent Quickel and Secretary-Treasurer Fluharty demonstrated again and again how to have effective negotia-tions. But I would be remiss not to mention former President Becky Ber-royer and former Executive Assistant Greg Behnke who saw potential in me as a negotiator and allowed me to be involved in negotiations, sent me for training and taught me so much about fighting for the very best union contract.

In collective bargaining, the union always has a collective interest since the negotiations are for the benefit of employees. What higher calling, as a worker, could I aspire to than being directly involved in improving the lives of the workers UFCW Local 1059 represents?

I

Update Your Death Benefit Beneficiary Info

UFCW Local 1059 members are eligible for a $500 death benefit after one year of active membership. In order to col-lect this benefit, it is important to keep your beneficiary information current with the UFCW Local 1059 office.

Keeping your beneficiary information updated is easy:

1. Call our office at 614.237.7671 or 800.282.6488 and request a form be mailed to you

2. Print and mail the “Death Benefit Beneficiary” form in the Members Area at www.ufcw1059.com

Submitting this information will NOT result in any insurance company solicitations. Changes to your beneficiary can be made at any time.

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UFCW International Conventionoseph T. Hansen, United Food and Commercial Workers Inter-national President, announced

the 7th Regular Convention of the UFCW International Union will con-vene at 9:30 am on Monday, August 12, 2013. The convention will remain in session through Friday, August 16, 2013 or until all business is completed and the convention adjourned.

The purposes of the convention are to elect officers of the International Union and to transact such other busi-ness as may come before the delegates, including discussing and determin-ing the UFCW’s goals and policies as well as reviewing and amending the International Constitution. The In-ternational Convention is the highest authority of the International Union. The responsibility of the delegates is enormous and the future of the Union greatly depends upon their wisely fulfilling this responsibility. Members may attend whatever meetings are clos-est to them.

2013 Nomination Meetings

Meetings will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm for the purpose of nominating delegates and alternates to the Interna-tional Convention. Members may run for either Delegate or Alternate, but not both. To be nominated: 22 Del-egates and 10 Alternates.

Eligibility requirements for Del-egates and Alternates are as follows: Must be an active member of UFCW Local 1059 who has been an active member of the UFCW, or who has been a member of another organiza-tion merged with or charted by the UFCW or merged into a UFCW local union, for a continuous aggregate since December 2011.

2013 Election Meetings

Meetings will be held on Wednes-day, April 3, 2013 at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm for the purpose of electing Delegates and Alternates to the Inter-

J

Mail completed application together with a letter of recommendation on school letterhead, transcripts and college acceptance to:

UFCW Local 1059 Awards Nine ScholarshipsThis application must be received no later than April 12, 2013

I wish to apply for a Fall 2013 UFCW Local 1059 Scholarship. I am an eligible member or the child of an eligible member of UFCW Local 1059 and have been accepted by an accredited college or university, having indicated my intent to enroll as a full-time student by September 2013.

Please type or print legibly (Mandatory)

Applicant’s full name: _____________________________________________________________Phone: _________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________

Home address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________________________________ State: _______________ Zip: ____________________

Last 4 digits of member’s Social Security: _________________________ Employer: ____________________________________________

I am: _____ a Local 1059 member (fill out Section 1 only) OR _____ the child of a Local 1059 member (fill out Sections 1 and 2)

SECTION 1—APPLICATION INFORMATION

Date you graduated from high school: _________________________________________________________________________________

If you are a college student, indicate highest academic level you will complete prior to September 2013: ________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 2—MEMBER INFORMATION (if different from applicant)

Member’s full name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Relationship to applicant: ____________________________________ Employer (company and store number): ______________________ UFCW Local 1059Attn: Scholarship Department4150 East Main StreetColumbus, Ohio 43213

national Convention. IMPORTANT: Members must bring a driver’s license or other generally accepted form of photo identification in order to vote.

Meeting Locations

Columbus Meetings UFCW Local 1059 Union Hall, 4150 E. Main Street

Defiance Meetings Hampton Inn, 1037 Hotel Drive

Findlay Meetings Comfort Suites, 3700 Speedway Drive

Fremont Meetings Comfort Suites, 840 Sean Drive

Logan Meetings Baymont Inn & Suites, 12819 State Route 664 S.

Galion Meetings AmVets Post 87, 7825 State Route 61

Waverly Meetings AmeriStay Hotel, 800 W. Emmitt Avenue

Zanesville Meetings Baymont Inn & Suites, 230 Scenic Crest Drive

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UFCW Local 1059 Member Attends Presidential Inauguration

n January 21, more than a million people crowded the National Mall in Washing-

ton, DC to glimpse the ceremony for President Barack Obama’s second inauguration. UFCW Local 1059 member Cherika Carter (Kroger 299) was among the President’s many sup-porters watching the 57th Presidential Inauguration that chilly Monday af-ternoon. She had driven over six hours to be in front of the Capitol for that historic day.

Cherika was a Member Political Organizer (MPO) during the 2012 election, helping UFCW Local 1059 talk to members and the general public about the issues important to Ohio’s workers. She and eight other Local 1059 MPOs knocked on doors, visited worksites and made phone calls to turn out the pro-worker vote. While she watched various public officials take their seats before the cer-emony, Cherika was struck by memo-ries of “those door conversations and even the countless phone calls” that did so much to help the President win Ohio last November.

By a coincidence of the calendar, the inauguration ceremony took place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. To honor the memory of the great civil rights leader, the oath of office was

given on two Bibles—one used by Abraham Lincoln and the other by Dr. King himself. The day was also marked as a national day of service.

The President’s address touched on these important themes of joining together to accomplish great things. President Obama insisted that “we Americans are made for this moment, and we will seize it as long as we seize it together.” Those words had personal significance for Cherika: “Nearing col-lege graduation, I’ve been waiting on this moment and I am ready to own it!”

As she completes her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, a recover-ing economy looms ahead. The Presi-dent stressed that the rebounding job market should be an opportunity for all Americans, calling for economic fairness because “the wages of an hon-est labor liberate families from the brink of hardship.” Recalling the ideals of our pioneer forebears, he insisted “our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts.”

What do these words mean to young workers?

Cherika reflected on the inter-connected lives of her generation, “a generation that became adults with the emergence of Facebook. I belong to

Cherika Carter (Kroger 299) at Presi-dent Obama’s second inauguration

O

a generation that Googles everything and uses technology as a tool to affect change.” It is that kind of instant, social connectedness that Cherika believes can make young workers ap-preciate the power of people joining together. As a woman, as a student and as a union member, Cherika says that while “times are still hard for some Americans, I am thankful and proud of the UFCW for the voice and opportunities it provides workers.”

Eggs Pawsand ClawsFriday, march 29, 2013 from 5:00–8:00 pmsaturday, march 30, 2013 from 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Join uFCW local 1059 at the Columbus Zoo & aquarium

Each year, “Eggs, Paws and Claws” celebrates the start of spring at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium by offering treat stations, kid-friendly entertainment

and seasonally-themed animal enrichment activities.

UFCW Local 1059 will be sponsoring a treat station at this year’s event. Come say hello and join the fun!

(free with cost of admission)

9



UFCW Ohio Lobby DayFCW members from across Ohio came to Columbus on Wednesday, February 20

to lobby their legislators about the disastrous repercussions of anti-worker No Rights at Work laws. The threat of these No Rights at Work laws has been revived after its surprising and unpopular passage by the Michigan legislature. No Rights laws have had dangerous results in other states, driving wages down approximately $1,500/year and increasing workplace death rates by an astonishing 36%.

When workers are negatively im-pacted by No Rights at Work laws, the effect extends far beyond only union members. Union jobs often force non-union employers to raise their own standards for benefits and wages to attract workers. So, when union mem-

bers feel the impact of laws that weaken their rights, non-union workers suf-fer, too. The result is low paying jobs that drain millions from the state’s economy. That message resonates with legislators as Ohio’s economy slowly improves.

About 50 UFCW members—in-cluding workers from UFCW Locals 1059 and 75 as well as those from the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)—turned out to talk with their state legislators about this very important issue. Meeting with members of both political par-

ties, it was important to use our personal stories about the ben-efits of strong unions to educate legislators on why they should not support No Rights at Work efforts. For those public officials who have a long record support-ing workers’ rights, lobby visits also allow a chance to thank them for their support and sug-gest ways they might persuade their undecided colleagues.

U

UFCW Local 1059 thanks all of our Lobby Day volunteers:

Cherika Carter (Kroger 299)Adam Chilenski (Kroger 897)

Jeremy Clark (Kroger 350)Mark Farmer (Kroger 299)Judge Harris (Kroger 819)

Hollie Houssein (Kroger 216)Tom Jones (Kroger 569)

Jennifer Lewis (Kroger 569)Travis Long (Kroger 898)Terrie Payne (Kroger 569)Nikki Rigano (Kroger 881)Keith Smith (Kroger 299)

Political Director Jason Kaseman, Nikki Riga-no (Kroger 881), State House Representative Heather Bishoff, Keith Smith (Kroger 299)

UFCW Local 1059 members at the Statehouse

WednesdayApril 17, 20135:30-8:30 pm

Volunteers needed at the Mid-ohio FoodbankThe Mid-Ohio Foodbank collects and distributes emergency food and groceries to hungry people throughout central and eastern Ohio. Every year, UFCW Local 1059 helps the Mid-Ohio Foodbank process those many generous donations on their way to needy families. If you are interested in joining us for our volunteer evening in April, please contact Diana Marlette at 614.237.7671 or 800.282.6488, extension 239.

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank is located at:

Mid-Ohio Foodbank3960 Brookham Drive

Grove City, Ohio 43123

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ost of us

think about the Ameri-

can Red Cross and picture cities dev-astated by storms or earthquakes. We imagine the doctors and relief person-nel that descend upon disaster areas to help those who have survived. But the American Red Cross (ARC) has two sides, one disaster relief division and another division for the collection/dis-tribution of blood products.

The Disaster Relief Side

This is the part of ARC that provides help, security, counseling and shelter to those in need. It’s the hu-manitarian organization that the public sees on the news and reads about in the newspaper. The American Red Cross is one of the world’s premier relief organizations, working on the scenes of disaster sites to provide aid to those devastated by circumstances they have no control over.

The Blood Collections Side

This is the side that is not as familiar to much of the public. It’s the business side.

The Blood Collections workers on this side often tell us they go without breaks, too little rest between shifts, drive vehicles that aren’t always in safe working condition, and, at times, they use damaged or broken equipment. Many who are injured on the job are simply terminated. Now, it’s the Blood Collections workers who need some relief!

These workers play an important role in life-saving measures. Yet, these employees struggle every day and are not treated with the dignity or respect all employees deserve. Management forces them to work past their safe point. But when workers are pushed past their safe zone, it’s not just the blood product that is affected—it’s you, the blood donor, as well. In so many ways, their safety ensures our safety.

Red Cross workers voted for union representation with UFCW Local 1059 in an effort to improve their working conditions and improve the safety of everyone involved in the blood donation process. Unfortunately, the American Red Cross is now doing all they can to slow down the collective bargaining process. They have imple-mented stall tactics, tried to intimidate employees with terminations and engaged in fundamentally unjust disci-plinary actions.

From a tough organizing campaign through the current dirty bargain-ing maneuvers, the Blood Collections workers have stood strong in solidar-ity. As they fight to get a first con-tract, they need your encouragement, support and help. Tell the Red Cross to stop dragging out the process and bargain in good faith. The pledge card you see below is available at our office and from your union representative. Sign it. Send it to us. Get others to join the fight.

Pledge your support today!

Knowing Both Sides of the American Red Crossby Tina Morgan, Organizing Director

M

BECAUSE EVERY DROP COUNTS!!!I, __________________, pledge to stand in SOLIDARITY with the American Red Cross Blood Collections Staff of Central Ohio by whatever means become necessary to assist in their efforts to secure a Union contract with UFCW Local 1059. I request that the American Red Cross be not only a good, but a responsible employer in this community. I further promise to educate my family, friends and general public about the differences between The American Red Cross Blood Collections and the Disaster Relief side of the organization! Please contact me at _____________________ as to when I can be of further assistance to secure fairness on the job for The American Red Cross Blood Collections Staff.

11



“Master of the House,” the innkeeper lists all the ways he bilks his lodgers:

Charge them for the liceExtra for the miceTwo percent for looking in the

mirror twiceHere a little sliceThere a little cutThree percent for sleeping with the

window shut

And that, in a nutshell, is the strate-gy behind the Kasich Budget. The Gov-ernor is attempting to make headlines by proposing a 20% income tax cut, but the revenue lost by the income tax

reduction is made up by expanding the sales tax. That means rich Ohio-ans are saving the most, and middle class Ohioans will be paying more to make up the dif-ference with sales taxes.

Here again, Governor Kasich has attempted to

hide the true costs of his budget by

pointing out a sales tax change, from 5.5% to 5.0%. But the damage is done by the many additional taxes Ohioans have not had to pay in the past.

Here is a short list of new sales taxes in the Kasich Budget:

• movie admissions• cable TV service• admission to pro sports events• admission to college sports events• admission to school sports events• downloadable music• amusement park admissions• coin operated laundries• bowling alleys• arcade games• magazine subscriptions• legal services• tax return preparation

The list goes on and on. As a result of these changes to income and sales taxes, the richest Ohioans will see a net tax cut while Ohio’s middle class will see a net tax increase.

Just like the shady innkeepers from the movie, it’s the fine print of this budget that really matters. It’s not so much a tax cut as it is a tax shift, shift-ing the burden from the wealthy and onto the shoulders of Ohio’s workers.

The Kasich Budget Shifts Tax Burden to Middle Classby Jason Kaseman, Political Director

he day Gov-ernor

Kasich released his state budget for Ohio, I happened to go see a movie that, coin-cidentally, does a good job of explain-ing the Governor’s priorities. The film was Les Misérables, a movie based on the popular stage musical.

At times, it’s a relentlessly sad film, but there are two comical villains who lighten the mood whenever they’re on screen. A devious innkeeper and his wife offer up laughs as they steal from their guests and crank up costs by charging hidden taxes. In the song

T

ABC Contest WinnerPresident Randy Quickel, ABC contest winner Nicholas Stypinski (Kroger 591), Union Representative Rhonda Helcher, Secretary-Treasurer Mark Fluharty. Nicholas is an Active Ballot Club donor who won a $500 gift card when his name was drawn for the 2012 UFCW Interna-tional ABC contest.

Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen star as conniving innkeepers in the movie Les Misérables

12



Employer & Negotiation Updates

• NLRB Appointments. President Obama’s appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in early 2012 have been ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court. In January 2012, the NLRB was on the verge of being shut down as members’ terms expired and Senate Republicans blocked the president’s nominees from an up-or-down vote. To keep the Board functioning, President Obama utilized his ability to make recess appointments to put 2 Democratic nominees and 1 Republican nominee in the vacant positions. The court ruled this move was unconstitutional because the Senate’s recess took place during a session and not between sessions, potentially invalidating nearly 150 years of recess appointments made by administrations of both political parties. The White House will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of the United States, where it will likely be heard.

• Nashville. Members of UFCW Local 1995 in Tennessee and Kentucky ratified a new contract with the Kroger Company in late December. The 10,500 employees affected had been on a contract extension for 7 months. It is a 3-year agreement.

Contract Extensions

• Indianapolis. The UFCW Local 700 contract expired on May 12, 2012. The local’s Kroger members are working under a contract extension as negotiations continue.

Current Negotiations

• Toledo. UFCW Local 75, which represents Kroger employees in the Greater Toledo area, continues to negotiate. The contract, which covers approximately 4,000 members, expires on March 31.

• Detroit. Kroger members of UFCW Local 876 are currently preparing for negotiations. Their contract expires on June 15.

• Cincinnati. UFCW Local 75 also represents Kroger workers in Cincinnati and surrounding locations. Their contract covers roughly 11,000 members and expires in October of this year.

• New Company President. Former chief operating officer (COO) JK Symancyk has been promoted to President of Meijer Inc. Symancyk took the new position on February 3, 2013. Previous president Mark Murray will continue to serve as co-chief executive officer along with Hank Meijer. Prior to his service as COO, JK Symancyk was Meijer’s vice president of perishables and executive vice president of merchandising and marketing.

• California. Warehouse workers that process merchandise for Walmart in Southern California have been awarded back wages by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. The warehouse, which tags and packs apparel for retailers such as Walmart and Levi’s, has been found guilty of not paying overtime, missed lunches and hours lost due to faulty time clocks. The employer is to pay 865 workers more than $1.1 million in stolen wages plus $200,000 in penalties.

• Cambodia. Following numerous incidents of worker endangerment from Walmart suppliers across the globe in 2012, there are new reports of another Walmart supplier cheating and mistreating workers abroad. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, garment workers who supply retailers such as Walmart and H&M came to work one morning to find their factory deserted. The managers fled without paying the workers hundreds of thousands of dollars owed in unpaid wages and benefits. This is a common ploy for companies in the developing world to wait out long-time employees, re-opening the factory months later with new employees that do not receive the higher benefits earned by the replaced, more senior workers.

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Very few things are more impor-tant to a successful life than good com-munication skills. Most of us spend much of our lives trying to get other people to do what we want them to do. We need to sustain relationships with others in order to get what we think we need and want from life.

Even though good communica-tion skills are a key to our relationships and success in life, many of us are poor

communicators. We often say and act in ways that hurt relationships and stop us from getting what we want. It’s as if you are in Ohio on In-terstate 75 trying to get to Michi-gan, but you are headed south toward Kentucky. No matter how long you drive,

you won’t get to Michigan. You have to turn around and head in the right direction.

Over the next year, I will use my articles to help members head in the right direction as we strive to im-prove how we talk and relate to each other. This could include our families, neighbors, friends, management, other union members in our worksites or countless other people.

The next five articles will focus on these communication issues:

• Speakerresponsibilities• Clearvs.confusinguseoflanguage• Listeningskills• Bodylanguageandhowwecom-

municate without words• Arecapontheimportanceofhow

we talk to each other

I hope that many of my UFCW Local 1059 brothers and sisters will use these skills to support the union move-ment in Ohio.

Good Communication Skills:The Key to a Successful Lifeby Rick Gregory, Education Director

Over the last

few years, I have devoted my UnionWize articles to historical subjects: labor history, biographies of labor leaders, women in unions, Ohio labor history and other related topics. This year, my articles will focus on a different point of edu-cation: communication skills.

AMC TheatresLocations include:- Dublin Village 18- Easton Town Center 30- Grove City 14- Lennox Town Center 24www.amctheatres.com

Tickets may be used towards admis-sion to any movie without restric-tion. All tickets through Local 1059 are $6.50 (reg. $6.50–$9.50). 3D movies require additional charges paid at the theater.

Marcus TheatresLocations include:- Columbus- Pickeringtonwww.marcustheatres.com

Tickets may be used towards admission to any movie without restriction. All tickets through Local 1059 are $6.50 (reg. $7.50–$10.50). Tickets void for any feature listed as Special Engage-ment (∆), including Sony Pictures new releases and VIP/reserved seat-ing. 3D movies require additional charges paid at the theater.

Rave Motion PicturesNotice: Many Rave Motion Pictures locations have been sold to Cinemark Theatres pending anti-trust approval. Until this transition is final, UFCW Local 1059 will not have discounted tickets available.

Tri City Theatre972 East Main Street, Jackson, OHwww.tricitytheatre.com

All tickets through Local 1059 are $4.00 (reg. $6.50). 3D tickets will cost an additional $2.00 at the ticket booth when accompanied by the UFCW $4.00 ticket.

discounted movie theater tickets

MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted for online purchases in the Members Area of www.ufcw1059.com and for phone orders called in to 614.237.7671 or 800.282.6488. Cash or credit card purchases can also be made at the UFCW Local 1059 office between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

President Randy Quickel discussing the Kroger contract

14



UFCW Local 1059 ScholarshipsScholarship Application on page 7 of this UnionWize

ine scholarships will be award-ed for the 2013-2014 academ-ic year. Each scholarship is

worth $1,500 in the pursuit of higher education. Eight of the scholarships are funded by the UFCW Execu-tive Board, and one is provided by American Income Life. The program is open to all UFCW Local 1059 members and their children.

Becky Berroyer Scholarship

One of our scholarships is desig-nated as the Becky Berroyer Scholar-ship in honor of former UFCW Local 1059 President, Rebecca Berroyer. This special schol-arship is awarded to one of the nine scholarship re-cipients who best personifies aca-demic excellence, participation in extra curricular activities and dedication to helping others.

Scholarship Rules & Procedures

In order to be eligible for a UFCW Local 1059 scholarship, you must be a member (or child of a member) in continuous good stand-ing for at least 12 months immedi-ately preceding April 1, 2013.

Eligible applicants must also meet the following additional provisions:

1. Applicants must be high school students graduating in 2013 or currently enrolled as a full-time college or post-graduate student at an accredited university.

2. Applicants must have a cumula-tive 2.50 or better grade point average and must submit most recent official transcripts of either high school or college work.

3. Applicants must submit official documentation of their acceptance by an accredited college or univer-sity as a full-time student for the 2013 fall semester/quarter.

4. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher, principal or professor on school letterhead.

5. Applicants must submit a photo-graph of themselves to be pub-lished in a future issue of Union-Wize should they win.

6. Applicants may not receive more than two UFCW scholarship awards during their academic career.

Scholarship winners will be an-nounced on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at the Central Area Quarterly Union Meeting in Columbus.

Each scholarship is payable in two installments. The first install-ment will be paid at one of the May 2013 Quarterly Union Meetings. The second installment will be made upon completion of the initial semester/quarter in which full-time status and a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better is maintained.

All documentation must be sub-mitted with your application in order to qualify. Scholarships are awarded by a random drawing of all qualifying applicants conducted by the Scholar-ship Committee.

N

Former UFCW Local 1059 President Becky Berroyer

UFCW International Union Scholarship Program

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION TO BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY MARCH 2013

Every year, the UFCW International Union offers scholarships to union members or their immediate family who want to further their education and demonstrate a commitment to their communities and to UFCW values. This year’s application information will be available in early March 2013 at the following website:

www.ufcw.org/scholarship

15



Quarterly union meetingsAll Quarterly Union Meetings start at 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted.

Central Area—Tuesday, May 7, 2013 UFCW Local 1059 Union Hall, Columbus 4150 E. Main Street

Eastern Area—Wednesday, May 8, 2013 Holiday Inn Express, Zanesville 1101 Spring Street

Southern Area—Thursday, May 9, 2013 Meeting times: 10:00 am & 7:00 pm Comfort Inn, Piketon 7525 U.S. Route 23

Southeastern Area—Tuesday, May 14, 2013 The Olde Dutch Restaurant, Logan 12791 State Route 664 S.

Central Area—Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Meeting time: 10:00 am UFCW Local 1059 Union Hall, Columbus 4150 E. Main Street

Northern Area—Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Quality Inn & Suites, Mansfield 500 N. Trimble Road

Northwestern Area—Thursday, May 16, 2013 Holiday Inn Express, Bowling Green 2150 E. Wooster Street.

upcoming eventsEggs, Paws & Claws—March 29 & 30, 2013Local 1059 Scholarship Deadline—Friday, April 12, 2013Mid-Ohio Foodbank—Wednesday, April 17, 2013Washington, DC/Gettysburg Trip—April 18–21, 2013

contact informationLocal 1059 Office614.237.7671 or toll-free 800.282.6488

Health & Welfare Office614.237.7618 or toll-free 800.282.6483

Pension Office614.237.7423 or toll-free 800.282.6483

membership orientationsAll Membership Orientations start at 5:30 pm unless otherwise noted.

Columbus—Monday, March 4 2013 Meeting times: 10:00 am & 5:30 pm UFCW Local 1059 Union Hall, Columbus 4150 E. Main Street

Lima—Tuesday, March 5, 2013 Holiday Inn & Suites 803 S. Leonard Avenue

Newark—Tuesday, March 5, 2013 Cherry Valley Lodge 2299 Cherry Valley Road

Sandusky—Wednesday, March 6, 2013 Fairfield Inn & Suites 6220 Milan Road

Athens—Wednesday, March 6, 2013 Holiday Inn Express 555 E. State Street

Marion—Thursday, March 7, 2013 Tri-Rivers Career Center 2222 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road

Piketon—Thursday, March 7, 2013 Comfort Inn 7525 U.S. Route 23

Perrysburg—Monday, March 11, 2013 Holiday Inn Express 10621 Fremont Pike

Defiance—Tuesday, March 12, 2013 UAW Local 211 Union Hall 2120 Baltimore Street

Zanesville—Tuesday, March 12, 2013 Holiday Inn Express 1101 Spring Street

Lancaster—Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Hampton Inn 2041 Schorrway Drive

Mansfield—Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Quality Inn & Suites 500 N. Trimble Road

Findlay—Thursday, March 14, 2013 Comfort Suites 3700 Speedway Drive

Circleville—Thursday, March 14, 2013 Holiday Inn Express 23911 U.S. Route 23 S.

United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, CLC4150 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43213

periodical postage paid at Columbus, OH

Visit www.unionplus.org for details!

UFCW Members Can Take Advantage of These Great Benefits:

• Affordable Mortgages• Discounted Legal Advice

• Cheap Flower Delivery• Savings on AT&T

Wireless Service• Goodyear Tire &

Service Discount• Budget-Friendly

Pet Insurance & Vet Services

• UnionPlus Travel Offers• Car Rental

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Many More!

Documents

UnionWize Jan-Feb 2013