President Hopkins Addresses Shop Stewards at their First Steward Leadership

President Hopkins Addresses Shop Stewards at 1st

One Union One Voice

TWO Contracts

Steward Leadership Conference

On September 1, 2009, President Hopkins welcomed the Kroger Meat Stewards to their first Local 455 Shop Steward Conference held at the Fireman’s Conference Center in Houston, TX. The theme for the conference was “One Union, One Voice, Two Contracts.”

The conference started out with a welcome speech given by President Hopkins. He gave a brief outline of Local 455’s history and local union’s top goals including organizing the unorganized; continuing to mobilize and educate our members in the political process such as pressuring members of Congress to pass the “Employee Free Choice Act” and to support “Healthcare Reform” and stand “United to Bargain.”

President Hopkins stressed the fact that the weeks and months ahead will present serious challenges, whether we’re talking about the debacle of Wall Street that caused our pension plans substantial investment losses or the out of control health care cost or wages that fail to keep pace with inflation. We will only be successful in combating these difficult issues if we stay united with our brothers and sisters who work in the stores and we must send a loud and united message to Kroger that we are One. One Union with One Voice . . . but two separate contracts. President Hopkins thanked the stewards for all they do to help their union continue to grow and be the best it can be.

The day was filled with guest speakers who addressed the stewards on a variety of issues. The speakers included International Vice President & Region 5 Director Chad Young who spoke to the stewards on upcoming contract negotiations. He stressed the importance of sending a clear message to the Company that we are prepared to do whatever is necessary to reach a fair and equitable agreement. Steve Powell, International Vice President and Special Assistant to the President enlightened the stewards with a political presentation. He reviewed the political landscape and talked about key legislation. An informative presentation on the South Central H & W Fund was given by South Central H & W Administrator Dennis Nast and his assistant Matt DuChette and answered all insurance questions. Mark Mead, Administrator UFCW Industry Pension Fund addressed the stewards on the current Pension situation and answered pension questions.

Sue Mann, Special Assistant to the President gave an informative presentation on Grievances, along with Local 455 Attorney, Pat Flynn who brought his expertise to the class by answering questions. Secretary-Treasurer Rick Alleman facilitated Collective Bargaining with emphasis on preparing for upcoming Kroger negotiations.

Also in attendance were Kroger Representatives, William Yelderman, Labor Relations Manager and Mark Kenney, Risk Manager, who gave a presentation on the “Texas Occupational Injury or Disease Benefits Plan” regarding the steel cutting glove. It was the perfect opportunity for our Shop Stewards to voice their concerns and ask questions surrounding the cutting glove issue.

The conference concluded with President Hopkins thanking the stewards for their participation and hoped they received valuable knowledge and information to prepare them for the vast duties and responsibilities of representing the members.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY FOR PICTURES OF THE SHOP STEWARD CONFERENCE!

Kroger Stewards Attend Local 455 Steward Leadership Conference

ONE UNION - ONE VOICE

TWO CONTRACTS

On September 15, 2009, over 120 Local 455 Kroger Stewards gathered from all over Local 455's servicing area in Texas and Louisiana to attend the Clerk Steward Conference held at the Fireman’s Conference Center in Houston, TX. The theme for the conference was “One Union, One Voice, Two Contracts.”

Bill Hopkins, President of Local 455, addressed the stewards and gave a brief outline of the local union’s top goals including organizing the unorganized; continuing to mobilize and educate our members in the political process such as pressuring members of Congress to pass the “Employee Free Choice Act” and to support “Healthcare Reform” and stand “United to Bargain.” He stressed the fact that the weeks and months ahead will present serious challenges, whether we’re talking about the debacle of Wall Street that caused our pension plans substantial investment losses or the out of control health care cost or wages that fail to keep pace with inflation. We will only be successful in combating these difficult issues if we stay united with our brothers and sisters who work in the stores and we must send a loud and united message to Kroger that we are One. One Union with One Voice . . . but two separate contracts. President Hopkins thanked the stewards for all they do to help their union continue to grow and be the best it can be.

International Vice President & Region 5 Director Chad Young addressed the stewards on upcoming contract negotiations. He stressed the importance of sending a clear message to the Company that we are prepared to do whatever is necessary to reach a fair and equitable agreement.

The rest of the day was divided into four workshops to better educate union stewards in addressing workplace issues. The four workshops included the following topics: Politics – presented by Nikki Budzinski, International Political Representative, who enlightened the stewards with a political presentation. She reviewed the political landscape and talked about key legislation and made it clear why union members must be active in politics. Assisting Nikki was Local 455 Membership Assistance Representative Pam Edgerley. Health & Welfare – presented by South Central H & W Assistant Matt DuChette and Marlene Hopkins, Claims Examiner who gave an informative presentation and answered all insurance questions. Pension – was facilitated by Dennis Nast, Administrator UFCW Unions and Employers Pension Fund, who addressed the stewards on the current Pension situation and answered pension questions. And, last but not least Grievances & Negotiations. Grievances was presented by Sue Mann, Special Assistant to the President who spoke on some of the ongoing issues that stewards need to be aware of, along with Local 455 Attorney, Pat Flynn who brought his expertise to the class by answering questions. Secretary-Treasurer Rick Alleman facilitated Negotiations with emphasis on preparing for upcoming Kroger negotiations.

Also in attendance were Kroger Representatives, William Yelderman, Labor Relations Manager; and Michael Knapp, Risk Management Assistant who gave a presentation on the “Texas Occupational Injury or Disease Benefits Plan” regarding the steel cutting glove and general safety in the stores. It was the perfect opportunity for our stewards to voice their concerns and ask questions.

The conference concluded with President Hopkins thanking the stewards for their participation and the great jobs they do out in the stores. He hoped they received valuable knowledge and information to prepare them for the vast duties and responsibilities of representing the members.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY FOR PICTURES OF THE CLERK STEWARD CONFERENCE!

Announcement of Labor Executive Orders

President Obama Backs Unions As Path to Middle-Class Prosperity

A Message from William H. Hopkins, President

The 2008 election is a victory for America’s workers. Our members worked hard to have their voices heard and to bring about change. Our road to economic recovery begins with restoring the prosperity of working families and small business owners. We finally have a president that supports the labor movement and the middle class!

Last week President Barack Obama announced the creation of the White House Middle Class Working Families Task Force, headed by Vice President Joe Biden. Vice President Biden described the Task Force’s mission in his remarks at the signing ceremony as “The leaders of organized labor have dedicated their lives to making the lives of working people better.” He went on to say: “The middle class is hurting. Trillions of dollars in home equity and retirement savings and college savings are gone. And every day, more and more Americans are losing their jobs. A strong middle class equals a strong America. We can’t have one without the other. With this task force, we will assess new and existing policies across the board and determine if they are helping or hurting the middle class. It is our charge to get the middle class – the people who are the backbone of this country – up and running again”.

President Obama made it clear in his remarks: “We have to reverse many of the policies towards organized labor that we’ve seen these last eight years. We need to level the playing field for workers and the unions that represent their interests, because we know that you cannot have a strong middle class without a strong labor movement.”

The Obama administration has reaffirmed its commitment to America’s workers. Along with the order establishing the Task Force, President Obama signed three more pro-worker orders:

Preventing Federal contractors from spending taxpayers’ money on union-busting efforts.
Requiring Federal contractors to post notices informing their workers of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.
Ensuring that workers on Federal contracts keep their jobs even if the contract changes from one company to another.

These orders send a message of hope to workers all across America that the Obama Administration is on our side, and as Vice President Biden said “A White House who’s ready to say that the measure of success will be whether the middle class once again shares in the economic success and prosperity of this nation”.

UFCW Local 455 - Working Together, For Our Members and Our Community

Message from President William H. Hopkins

For the 1.3 million members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), the 2008 Presidential election was about restoring the American dream for America’s workers.

UFCW members nationwide were excited and energised by Barack Obama's message. And that excitement and energy unleashed an unprecedented nationwide mobilization and outreach effort that reached millions of working families across the country to help secure Obama's historic victory!

I would like to personally thank each and every one of Local 455's Rank and File members for their determination in getting out the vote and for the enthusiasm committed to the campaign and for believing in change.

VICTORY FOR OBAMA!

YES WE CAN!

President Hopkins Addresses Shop Stewards at 1st

One Union One Voice

TWO Contracts

Steward Leadership Conference

ONE UNION - ONE VOICE

TWO CONTRACTS

President Obama Backs Unions As Path to Middle-Class Prosperity

YOUR UNION WORKING HARD FOR YOU

TOTAL RETRO PAY & BENEFITS - 2008 $ 364,531.61

President Hopkins Addresses Shop Stewards at 1st One Union One Voice TWO Contracts Steward Leadership Conference

ONE UNION - ONE VOICE

TWO CONTRACTS

President Obama Backs Unions As Path to Middle-Class Prosperity

YOUR UNION WORKING HARD FOR YOU

TOTAL RETRO PAY & BENEFITS - 2008 $ 364,531.61

President Hopkins Addresses Shop Stewards at 1st

One Union One Voice

TWO Contracts

Steward Leadership Conference