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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.

Bargaining

UFCW700 Members at Tyson Approve New Contract

Jun 22, 2017

Members of UFCW Local 700 have overwhelmingly approved a new, five-year contract with Tyson Foods in Logansport, IN; the new agreement helps create a more secure future for workers and our families. Thank you to everyone who participated in negotiations by submitting contract proposals, updating your co-workers on the process, and voting on the contract. New contract books will be available as soon as possible.

Our new union contract:
✓ Increases wages substantially to meet industry standards
✓ Adds a week of vacation upon ten years of service (from three weeks to four weeks)
✓ Adds a summer floating holiday
✓ Improves funeral leave policy for employees working shifts longer than eight hours
✓ Increases provided gear for cold weather items and creates new boot allowance
✓ Offers greater protection for the rights of immigrant workers
✓ Upgrades classifications for several jobs
✓ Provides for health care review to ensure affordable, quality care is protected for members and our families

Should you have any questions or if you’d like further information, please contact your Union Stewards or Union Representatives.

Benefits

UFCW Local 700 Opens Fall Scholarship Contest

Jun 13, 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 August 11, 2017.

Two-Year College Scholarship Application

Four-Year College Scholarship Application

 

 

Worker Action

UFCW Local 700 Makes Statement on Marsh Bankruptcy Filing

May 11, 2017

Today, UFCW Local 700, who represents more than 13,000 grocery and packing-processing workers in Indiana, released the following statement in response to reports that Marsh Supermarkets has filed for bankruptcy, affecting thousands of employees.

“The decision to file bankruptcy leaves thousands of workers at Marsh Supermarkets uncertain about their futures and how they will provide for their families. Marsh must do right by them and publicly promise that they will get severance if the stores close. These hard-working men and women have provided an invaluable service to our community for decades and deserve to be treated fairly and with respect.”

Benefits

Build a Better Future with UFCW700 Free College Benefit

Apr 18, 2017

UFCW Local 700 Steward Barry Sisson

Through the partnership between UFCW and Eastern Gateway Community, UFCW members and your families can earn a college degree – and won’t have to pay out of your own pocket for tuition, fees, or books. Eastern Gateway Community College is a public, non- profit, regionally accredited school; earned credits transfer to other schools.

This benefit for members of UFCW can save you and your family members thousands of dollars. Family is defined as spouses, children, dependents and grandchildren.

Degree Programs include Associate of Arts; Criminal Justice; Early Childhood Education; Business Management.

UFCW Local 700 Union Steward Barry Sisson is earning his degree:
“I chose Business Management for my degree; the classes are stimulating and challenging.  I have an 11-year-old daughter and work 50 hours, 6 days per week, so time is an issue. The instructors are helpful and the administration helped to set up my classes and get me started, which made things much easier.

Some of the best benefits of the program are:

  • Free is within your budget!
  • Do it on your schedule.
  • You do your work anytime, anywhere.

 Thanks for this wonderful opportunity!”

Learn more about the UFCW Local 700 Free College Benefit at www.ufcwfreecollege.org.

Bargaining, Organizing, Worker Action

UFCW700 Adds New Staff Position to Better Enforce Contracts

Mar 28, 2017

Jason Morey has joined the staff of UFCW Local 700.

UFCW Local 700 members work together to build a better life for our members and all middle class families. Members recently approved a dues restructure to build a bigger, stronger union, and to give us more resources and power at the bargaining table, in organizing new members, and in strengthening our communities.

This week, Jason Morey joined the UFCW Local 700 team. A member of UFCW for eleven years, Jason worked at Kroger, served as a Union Steward, and worked on special projects with the Indiana AFL-CIO. Jason’s job will be to lead audits to ensure that members are being paid appropriately by the company, monitor full-time and part-time positions, update classification and contact information, and other projects. The information provided by the internal audits will be invaluable for grievance management, bargaining, and communication.

Jason has hit the ground running and Is looking forward to his role to better enforce our contract language and ensuring the most accurate and up-to-date information for our members.

Sec.-Treas. Mike Merrell and Jason Morey review a membership audit.