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Benefits, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Spring Scholarship Program Open

Apr 16, 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 July 15, 2018.

 

UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Welcomes New Staff Member: Union Representative Justin Patterson

Mar 19, 2018

UFCW Local 700 Union Representative Justin Patterson

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 welcome Union Representative Justin Patterson to the UFCW Local 700 team. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, Justin has extensive experience in the retail industry. He started at Marsh as a bagger when he was a teenager, then went to work at Kroger in 2011. Over his career, Justin had a number of roles, but his favorite was as a Meat Manager at Kroger.

Justin said that moving from nonunion retail to a union shop was a transformative experience for him. He loves his new role with UFCW Local 700, “I feel like a superhero, like I’m a voice. The union is like the sword and shield that protects members when they’re at work.

Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with his family and children, and riding motorcycles.

Justin Patterson can be reached at JPatterson@ufcw700.org  or 317-435-2979. 

His territory includes Kroger (Former Marsh stores), Restaurant Depot, Lebanon, Crawfordsville, Zionsville, and Bloomington.

Political action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Applauds Passage of SB1

Feb 26, 2018

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 700 represents nearly 14,000 members in the supermarkets and packing and processing plants throughout Indiana. These hardworking men and women are professionals who serve our community every day by producing and selling items that end up on kitchen tables all around our state.

“We are pleased to see that SB1 was passed by the legislature and look forward to the governor signing it into law,” said UFCW Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning. “SB1 encourages Hoosiers to spend their hard-earned dollars within Indiana’s borders. Permitting the sale of carryout alcohol on Sundays in Indiana retailers means more hours on the schedule for workers in our state. This leads to higher paychecks and more opportunity for workers and their families; it means more money in our local economy and a stronger state for all of us.”

Benefits

UFCW International Charity Foundation Scholarship Program Opens

Feb 15, 2018

Every year the UFCW Scholarship Program offers scholarships to UFCW members or their immediate family members who want to further their education and demonstrate a commitment to their communities and to UFCW values.  Since 1958, the fund has distributed more than $2 million in scholarships.*

Past winners have gone on to make significant contributions to society and to the UFCW – entering a range of fields including public service, medicine, law, business and teaching.  Many have returned to the UFCW as staffers, organizers, and community activists who contribute to our mission.

*UFCW-employed officers and staff, and their immediate families are not eligible for this program.

For more information and to complete the application, visit http://ufcwcharityfoundation.org/scholarship/.

Bargaining, Benefits, Worker Action

Tyson Workers to Receive Bonus Pay

Feb 08, 2018

Last year, your Union Bargaining Committee worked tirelessly to reach a new contract that improved wages, protected benefits, and improved safety on the job. Through ongoing effort and collaboration
between the Union and Company, we are pleased to announce that Tyson workers shall also receive a one-time bonus.

Full-time workers will receive $1,000; part-time workers will receive $500. Bonus checks will be paid in about three weeks; taxes will be appropriately deducted. To be eligible for a bonus, an employee must have completed his or her probationary period as of February 7, 2018.

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

Press releases

UFCW Statement on USDA Decision to Eliminate Line Speed Limits at Pork Plants

Jan 20, 2018

Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to eliminate line speed limits at pork plants.

“This desire to increase line speeds is being driven entirely by corporate greed and defies common sense.

“Jobs inside pork plants are some of the most dangerous and difficult in America. We’re only putting workers at greater risk of injury and consumers at greater risk of consuming unsafe meat by asking everyone who labors inside one to work faster.

“For the sake of keeping millions of hard-working families safe, this decision deserves immediate reconsideration.”

See original post here.

BACKGROUND

  • The UFCW union family represents hard-working men and women in pork plants that have already had their line speed limits eliminated as part of a trial program, as well as people who are in plants that run profitably with line speed limits in place.
  • According to a 2013 report from the USDA OIG, the existing trial program did not result in better food safety.
  • Injury rates in the meatpacking industry are already twice as high as the national average and workplace illness rates are 20 times as high.
  • This latest announcement follows the recent regulatory effort to remove line speed limits for the poultry industry.

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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries.

Our members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.  Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org.

Benefits

DEADLINE EXTENDED! Apply Today for UFCW700 Spring Scholarship Contest

Nov 27, 2017

UFCW Local 700 is pleased to award a total of $11,000 in scholarships each spring and fall to
UFCW Local 700 members or their dependents who have graduated or will graduate from high school, or are currently enrolled in college or trade school. Awards are as follows: Five @ $1,000, Twelve @ $500.

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

Applications must be postmarked no later than JANUARY 3, 2018*
*PLEASE NOTE EXTENDED DEADLINE!

UFCW700 Two-Year College Scholarship Application

UFCW700 Four-Year College Scholarship Application

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

Press releases

UFCW Local 700 Statement on Shooting at South-Side Kroger

Oct 21, 2017

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 700 represents workers in the south-side Indianapolis Kroger store where a shooting last evening resulted in loss of life of a customer.

“Our members serve the public every day; we remain committed to ensuring that they are safe on the job. While we do not yet know the full circumstances of what took place, the well-being of our members will continue to be our priority,” said UFCW Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning.

UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Welcomes Membership Rep

Sep 12, 2017

UFCW Local 700 Membership Rep Samantha Mansfield

UFCW Local 700 is proud to announce the addition of Samantha Mansfield as a Membership Representative. In this role, Samantha will primarily be responsible for leading the Union’s portion of New Member Orientation programs.

Growing up in Kokomo, Indiana, Samantha was familiar with the United Auto Workers (UAW). When Samantha moved to Ft. Wayne and got a job in the Dairy Department at Kroger, she had the opportunity to become a union member herself, and chose to join UFCW Local 700. Being part of the union is important to Samantha because “we get to better our jobs together.”

In her spare time, Samantha and her daughter like to spend time outdoors.

You can reach Samantha at SMansfield@ufcw700.org.

Bargaining

Bay Valley Foods Announces Plant Closure; Union to Bargain Over Effects

Aug 03, 2017

Bay Valley Foods recently announced it would close the operation in Plymouth, Indiana at the end of 2017; about one hundred members of UFCW Local 700 make pickles at the plant. During contract negotiations earlier this year, the company did not indicate an intention to close the plant and agreed to contract improvements, not concessions, that were approved by members.

UFCW Local 700 will negotiate with the company over the effects of the plant closure and possible opportunities for employees to transfer to other Bay Valley facilities. We expect the process to begin later this summer.

In addition, we are committed to working with local agencies to help employees find the resources you need during this time of transition.

Should you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative, Karen Salzer or Juan Garcia, at (800) 334-3619.