Worker Action

RSS

Political action, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700 Endorses Bloomington Mayor Hamilton for Re-Election

Jan 17, 2019

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 700 announced the endorsement for Mayor John Hamilton’s re-election today.

UFCW Local 700 represents nearly 14,000 workers in supermarkets and food packing, processing, and manufacturing plants and is part of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

“UFCW Local 700 is proud to call Mayor John Hamilton a colleague and friend,” said President Chorpenning. “Our members work here in this community; we feel heard and valued by Mayor Hamilton and his support for local business. Mayor Hamilton stands with us in trying to create more opportunity for our members. We stand Mayor Hamilton and look forward to his continued leadership in Bloomington.”

“I am honored to have the support of the hardworking women and men of UFCW Local 700,” Hamilton said. “Bloomington is a strong community, and our unions have been and are a pillar of our success. I was proud to support the UFCW organizing efforts at Bloomingfoods and the unionization of the co-op makes me even more glad to be a member and frequent customer.  I look forward to continue working with the UFCW to promote strategic growth for Bloomington’s workforce.”

Mayor John Hamilton is the 26th mayor of Bloomington. During his time in office, Mayor Hamilton has dedicated himself to increasing the number of good jobs in Bloomington, promoting sustainability, increasing affordable housing, supporting public education, and making a high quality of life available to all our residents. Under Mayor Hamilton, Bloomington proudly became the first Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Friendly City, bringing in new investment for minority-owned businesses, community facilities, and affordable housing.

Mayor Hamilton is committed to ensuring that Bloomington’s future is bright. Throughout his first term, Mayor Hamilton made Bloomington’s children a priority by making $200,000 first-time investments in Pre-K, introducing Youth Participatory Budgeting, and standing up against “lunch shaming.”

Mayor Hamilton announced his candidacy for re-election in December of 2018.

Benefits, Worker Action

Congratulations to UFCW Local 700 Scholarship Winners

Jan 10, 2019

UFCW Local 700 proudly awards $22,000 per year in scholarships to members and your dependents.

Congratulations to our most recent winners:

Ricardo Carmargo 
Camilo Carmargo, Maple Leaf

Brynelle D’Rosa 
Genevieve D’Rosa, Kroger J973

Leah Heidema
Bloomingfoods

Anthony Lem
Kroger J339

Angel Hernandez
Carolina Medina de Hernandez, Tyson

Yoana Hernandez
Carolina Medina de Hernandez, Tyson

Derek Huffman
Kroger J974

Chrissa Johnson
Kroger J900

Jammie Kearns
Kroger J938

Craig Miner
Sherry Miner, Kroger J837

Michael Ogle
Terry Ogle, Kroger J970

Manuel Ramos
Ruth Ramos, Tyson

Shawn Smith
Kroger J928

Keyen Taulbee
Brandi Taulbee, Kroger J71

Samantha Tinney
Ron Tinney, Kroger J973

 

Benefits, Worker Action

DEADLINE EXTENDED! UFCW Local 700 Scholarship Program Open

Nov 12, 2018

UFCW Local 700 is proud to award $22,000 per year in scholarships to members or dependents.

Applicants must be UFCW Local 700 members in good standing, or their legal dependents; have graduated or will graduate from high school or are currently enrolled in college or trade school; must have completed the SAT or ACT; and must be accepted to an accredited institution OR met the requirements and enrolled in a two-year community college, technical, or trade school.

Twice a year, we award $11,000 in scholarships: Five at $1,000 each and twelve at $500 each.

Click here for details on scholarship program.

Applications available:

Applications must be postmarked no later than December 10, 2018.  DEADLINE EXTENDED to December 28, 2018.

 

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700 Members Vote to Approve New Contract for South Bend Kroger Stores

Nov 01, 2018

Your Union Bargaining Committee is proud to announce that members have voted to approve a new contract with Kroger for a new one-year contract covering about 800 workers in nine stores in the South Bend area.

The new contract helps create a more secure future for Kroger workers and your families through regular, guaranteed wage increases; investment in securing your pension; protection of quality, affordable health care; and contract language improvements.

The contract is effective upon approval; wage rates are effective November 11, 2018.

Should you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative.

Negotiations, Press releases, UFCW700 Updates, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Reach Tentative Agreement for South Bend Contract

Oct 25, 2018

Your Union Bargaining Committee is proud to announce that we’ve reached a tentative agreement with Kroger for a new one-year contract covering South Bend stores.

THE UNION OFFICERS, STAFF, AND UNION BARGAINING COMMITTEE RECOMMEND A YES VOTE TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CONTRACT.

The proposed agreement helps create a more secure future for Kroger workers and our families through regular, guaranteed wage increases; protection of affordable, quality health care; investment in securing your pension; and contract language improvements.

Union Representatives and Bargaining Committee Members will be in stores on Tuesday, October 30, and Wednesday, October 31, to discuss details of the proposed contract and answer questions. Voting will take place on Thursday, November 1; locations and times are listed below.

Negotiations, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Hold First Meeting for South Bend Contract

Oct 12, 2018

Your UFCW Local 700 Bargaining Committee met yesterday with representatives from the Kroger Co. We provided them with a comprehensive proposal modeled after the agreement members recently approved in Ft. Wayne; that contract includes guaranteed wage increases over the life of the contract and secures 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.

The company gave our bargaining committee an overview including market share. Company representatives indicated they would spend time analyzing, costing, and considering our proposal in order to respond when we reconvene on October 25.

The contract between UFCW Local 700 and Kroger South Bend expires on October 27, 2018. The agreement covers about 800 workers in nine stores in the South Bend area.

If you’d like bargaining updates, follow us on Twitter or Facebook, or email bkelly@ufcw700.org with subject Ft. Wayne Kroger.

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

Negotiations, Worker Action

Union Prepares for Upcoming Contract Negotiations with Kroger in South Bend

Oct 03, 2018

The contract between UFCW Local 700 and Kroger South Bend expires on October 27, 2018. The agreement covers about 800 workers in nine stores in the South Bend area.

Our UFCW Local 700 Union Bargaining Committee is comprised of Union leaders and representatives, members who work in South Bend Kroger stores, and UFCW International staff. We met recently to review contract proposals.

During bargaining, we will 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 are scheduled to meet with the company on October 11, October 25, and October 26; our preference was to begin negotiations earlier, however, these dates were the earliest available. We are committed to reaching an agreement that raises wages, increases opportunity, and keeps members safe at work.

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

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

Worker Action

Effective, Professional Union Reps Win for Members

Sep 12, 2018

Union Representative Justin Patterson

UFCW Local 700 is proud to provide outstanding service and representation through professional Union Representatives. And we’re always proud when our members recognize the great work of our staff:

“I am a member of local 700 and would like to give a wonderful shout out or comment about Justin who just helped me tremendously.  I would love to brag about his compassion and kindness and understanding with my ordeal recently; he is an awesome Union Rep. He is proud to represent us without hesitation, he fixed matters within hours, and stood up for me. Justin made the company understand we are union strong and that united we are together. In 4 years, I’ve never had to use the union for a situation, but now I completely get why they say we are union strong.”

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700 Members Vote to Approve New Contract for Ft. Wayne Kroger Stores

Aug 09, 2018

Your Union Bargaining Committee is proud to announce that members have voted to approve a new contract with Kroger for a new one-year contract covering about 3,000 workers in 24 stores in the Ft. Wayne area.

The new contract helps create a more secure future for Kroger workers and your families through regular, guaranteed wage increases; investment in securing your pension; and contract language improvements.

The contract is effective upon approval; wage rates are retroactive to August 5, 2018.

Should you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative.

Negotiations, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Continue Bargaining for Ft. Wayne Contract

Jul 20, 2018

This week, your Union Bargaining Committee met with representatives from the Kroger Co. to continue negotiations for the Ft. Wayne Kroger contract. The union provided the company with a comprehensive proposal including language improvements and regular, guaranteed wage increases over the life of the agreement. Most of our discussion centered around language regarding work rules.

Our next negotiations are scheduled for July 31 and August 1.

If you’d like bargaining updates, follow us on Twitter or Facebook, or email bkelly@ufcw700.org with subject Ft. Wayne Kroger.

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