May, 2018

Political action, Press releases, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Announces Endorsement of Karen Salzer for State Rep

May 24, 2018

Candidate for Indiana House of Representatives (HD-20) and UFCW Local 700 Union Representative Karen Salzer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN —Today, UFCW International Vice President and Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning announced the endorsement of Karen Salzer for Indiana State Representative (HD-20). Salzer, a Union Representative at UFCW Local 700, has dedicated her career to creating more opportunity for people in Northwest Indiana. Prior to her current position at Local 700, Salzer was a leader in the grocery store where she worked and a staple in the community.

UFCW Local 700 supports candidates who will stand up for the issues most important to our members at the Indiana Statehouse. Continued inaction by Statehouse leadership on issues like living wages, paid sick leave, and other policies important to the economic health of our state have left Hoosier workers behind. These issues will be at the forefront of both Karen’s candidacy and her legislative agenda once elected.

“Karen fights for better lives for our members every day in her professional life; we know she will be a champion for all hardworking Hoosiers as State Representative. We need an advocate like Karen at the Statehouse in Indianapolis,” said Chorpenning. “We look forward to supporting Karen’s candidacy thoughout the election cycle as the most qualified candidate in House District 20.”

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

Union Prepares for Upcoming Contract Negotiations with Kroger in Ft. Wayne

May 18, 2018

The contract between UFCW Local 700 and Kroger Ft. Wayne expires on August 4, 2018. The agreement covers almost 2500 workers in 24 stores in the Ft. Wayne area.

UFCW Local 700 recently formed our Union Bargaining Committee, comprised of Union leaders and representatives, ten members who work in Ft. Wayne Kroger stores, and UFCW International staff. A Federal Mediator conducted training for the Committee.

During bargaining, we will only be negotiating wages, language, and the meat pension; health care coverage and retirement benefits for clerks are negotiated as part of the Indianapolis Kroger agreement that expires in May of 2019. We have requested to reopen the Ft. Wayne contract several times since members in Indianapolis approved a higher wage scale in November 2015; we are committed to reaching an agreement that raises wages, increases opportunity, and keeps members safe at work.

The Union Bargaining Committee will reconvene later this month to review contract proposals. Our first negotiation session is scheduled for June 28.

If you’d like to receive bargaining updates, please email bkelly@ufcw700.org with subject Ft. Wayne Kroger.

Should you have any questions or want further information, please contact your Union Representative.

UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Welcomes Union Rep Billy Brown

May 13, 2018

Union Representative Billy Brown

The members and staff of UFCW Local 700 build a strong union and help create more opportunity for all workers in our community. We are proud to provide our members with professional member services and representation.

We’re glad to welcomeUnion Representative Billy Brown to the UFCW Local 700 team. With over thirty years of experience in union work, Billy brings a wealth of leadership and knowledge to this role. He started with Kroger in 1984 and became a member, Steward and Executive Board Member at UFCW Local 1000; he worked his way up from a bagger to a Produce Manager. After that, he worked for UFCW Local Unions throughout the Midwest, and as a Regional Director for AFSCME, a union representing public sector workers.

“I wake up every morning with the goal of making someone’s life better,” Billy says.

Outside of work, Billy enjoys sports – especially the Dallas Cowboys – and playing golf.

Billy’s territory includes Bloomington, Columbus, Morrisville, Martinsville, and Southern Illinois. He can be reached at bbrown@ufcw700.org or (317) 316-1448.

Community Action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Proudly Partners to Stamp Out Hunger

May 10, 2018

UFCW is America’s food union. Our hard-working members make and sell the things that American families eat every day, and our role in creating a better life continues beyond the factory and the store. That’s why every year, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) has supported the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) in their “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive to combat hunger across our nation.

On Saturday, May 12, letter carriers will collect bags of food from homes and donation drop off sites across the country.  Will you join us in helping to feed our local communities?

How you can participate:

  1. Fill up your Stamp Out Hunger bag with non-perishable food items. See our list of suggested, union-made items below for ideas:

Fill your Stamp Out Hunger bag with:

  • Cereal
  • Pasta
  • Pasta or spaghetti sauce
  • Rice
  • Canned fruits and veggies
  • Canned meals (soup, chili, pasta)
  • 100% juice
  • Peanut butter
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Canned protein (chicken, tuna, turkey)
  • Beans
  • Oatmeal

DO NOT put in frozen food, homemade food, expired food, or home canned items – or anything in glass containers.

  1. Snap a pic of yourself with your filled bag and Tweet it out or put it on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtags #UFCW and #StampOutHunger.
  2. On May 12th, put your bag out before your letter carrier’s normal pick-up time. The earlier, the better!
  3. Feel GREAT – knowing your donated food stays in your local community and will feed families in need where you live.