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Bargaining, UFCW700 Updates, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Reach Tentative Agreement for Ft. Wayne Contract

Aug 01, 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 Ft. Wayne 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; investment in securing your pension; and contract language improvements.

Union Representatives and Bargaining Committee Members will be in stores on Monday, August 6, and Tuesday, August 7, to discuss details of the proposed contract and answer questions.

Download Contract Update Flyer with Voting Locations

FT. WAYNE KROGER CONTRACT VOTE SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018


You may vote in the time and location most convenient for you. Only union members may vote on the contract.

Bargaining, 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.

Uncategorized

Deadline Extended for UFCW Local 700 Scholarship Program

Jul 11, 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.

DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Applications must be postmarked no later than July 15, 2018 July 29, 2018.

Click here for details on scholarship program.

Applications available:

 

 

Bargaining, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Hold First Meeting for Ft. Wayne Contract

Jun 29, 2018

This week, your Union Bargaining Committee provided representatives from the Kroger Co. with a list of our bargaining goals including guaranteed wage increases over the life of the contract and securing 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 the bargaining committee an overview including marketshare, ratio of full time jobs, and changing technology including Clicklist. We are proud that our members make Kroger the market leader in this community.

The parties will reconvene for negotiations next month; the schedule is not yet final.

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.

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

Organizing, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Members Stand Together with 100% Membership at Indianapolis Kroger Store

Jun 22, 2018

Hardworking men and women at Kroger J1 in downtown Indianapolis know we are stronger together – everyone who works
at the store is a member of UFCW Local 700. Union Representative Mary Parker says that membership is a result of building power and relationships; members in the store know, respect, and rely on one another. Stewards play an integral role in ensuring that the company plays by the rules we negotiated. Members know one another and welcome new workers into our union family.

“There is power in numbers,” said UFCW Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning. “A store with 100% membership is the foundation building a better life for our members. This is how we negotiate strong contracts – solidarity every day in the workplace.”

Political action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Endorses Mel Hall for Congress

Jun 02, 2018

Mel Hall, Candidate for Congress (IN-2)

UFCW International Vice President and Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning announced the endorsement of Mel Hall for Congress in Indiana’s 2ndDistrict. The lifelong Hooiser and former CEO of Press Ganey, a health care patient satisfaction survey company, Hall has dedicated his career to creating jobs and helping hardworking Hoosier families succeed. Hall will fight for all working families in Congress, just like he has for his entire career.

UFCW Local 700 supports candidates who will stand up for the issues most important to our members, like higher wages, paid sick leave, and other policies that help them to enjoy more economic stability.

“Mel knows what it takes to create jobs and opportunity for Hoosier families. We need a champion for the working class in Congress, that’s why we’re supporting Mel,” said Chorpenning. “We look forward to knocking on doors and talking to voters about why Mel is the most qualified to fight for us in Washington.”

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.”

Bargaining, 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.