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Around the Local May 2002 Contra Costa Workers Wal-Mart is the largest employer in America and the most profitable. Its owners, the Waltons, sit atop the Fortune 500, yet most Wal-Mart workers earn barely above minimum wages with few benefits. In Contra Costa County, Wal-Mart also houses a local police substation. Police officers enjoy the support of their union, while Wal-Mart employees are not allowed the same rights, something Ian Arnold and Luden Mines of the Contra Costa Workers Chapter and other representatives of the Central Labor Council pointed out to customers when they passed out leaflets recently at the store. They were informing customers that it was not possible to enter the police substation (a public facility) without passing through the store. Store management didn’t appreciate being reminded of their anti-union policies, asked Ian and friends to leave the premises, and threatened to break their camera when they refused. They even called the local police. The protesters left the store and resumed leafleting in the parking lot. The next step is a lawsuit claiming the entrance to the police substation cannot be controlled by Wal-Mart. The UFCW asks that union members support the union’s battle for workers rights at Wal-Mart by letting management know you do not appreciate the company’s anti-union fear tactics and support employees right to join a union of their choice. For more information contact www.ufcw.org. SEIU
Online Have a question about your legal rights under the National Labor Relations Act? Contract language and proposals? The SEIU Online Learning Center might be the place for you. Part of the New Strength Unity plan to use new technologies to improve the lives of working families, the web-based education center provides officers, staff, worksite leaders, stewards, and activists with interactive educational workshops that cover topics including: Putting your rights to work–gain a better understanding of legal rights under the NLRA and learn how to mobilize members to resolve grievances and workplace issues. Contract costing and analysis—useful and practical costing formulas, math exercises, and simulated contract proposal scenarios. Secretary-treasurer training—useful information on managing the administration and finances of a local union. Visit the SEIU Online Learning Center at www.seiu.org/olc. The SEIU Online Learning Center is a public site that is available to everyone. Boycott: Please do not patronize The following businesses have been placed on the ‘Do Not Patronize’ list by the AFL-CIO Union Label Department. They have been cited for anti-union practices and are part of a national boycott effort by the labor federation. New Era Cap Co.
Brown and Sharpe
Mfg. Co. Mt. Olive Pickle Co. Pickles and relishes
sold under the Mt. Olive and other labels. Diamond Walnut Co. San Francisco Marriott
Moscone Hotel
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Co. People The union has added several new people to the staff. Tom O’Conner is 535’s new Communications Coordinator. Tom comes from SEIU Local 399, where he served in the same capacity. Tom will be working out of the Pasadena office. Now working out of the San Diego office, after being on temporary staff for several months, is Brian Polejes. Brian has served the chapter as a steward, vice president, board delegate, and negotiations team member. Ted Burnett has also been added to the San Diego office. A former rank and file leader in the San Diego County Chapter, Ted has worked as a field representative for SEIU Local 2028 and SEIU Local 1000. In the Fresno office, chapter activist Bob Solis is now on permanent status. Congratulations to Derek Blake and Eleuterio Olveda, who won two of the 15 $4,000 college scholarships awarded by SEIU. Congratulations to Santa Clara County Chapter retiree Phyllis Ward, who has been elected president of the Federation of Retired Union Members in Santa Clara County. 2002 CALENDAR OF EVENTS July 9-14: Summer Institute for Union Women (Santa Cruz) September 14-15: 535 state executive board (San Diego) November 16-17: 535 state executive board (Bay Area) Kaiser Permanente Kaiser is recognizing the efforts of individuals and teams who went to New York City after the September 11 disaster by highlighting them as “heroes” and creating huge wall posters and articles that will hang in the regional offices for a year. 535 northern California members went to New York to provide counseling to SEIU members who were treating victims. A medical social worker in the Los Angeles chapter, Larry Verdugo, will be honored for his exemplary patient care. Over 1,800 nominations were reviewed and only 20 selected statewide so these are significant honors for our members. Congratulations to all! Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Chapter Planned Parenthood employees ratified a new three-year agreement that gives workers 12% raises over the term of the contract, reports 535 field representative Valerie McCan-Murrell, though negotiators and union members had to overcome significant takeaways at the bargaining table. Planned Parenthood management proposed taking away vacation and sick leave hours, and eliminating Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve holidays. In addition, says McCan-Murrell, they proposed annual wage increases that would be determined by the performance of employees. “I was shocked by these proposals and I think union members were shocked into realizing that the only way they can be protected from the boss’s actions is through the union,” says McCan-Murrell. “The negotiation team was united and strong and refused to settle for management’s paltry offer.” The deal significantly increases wages for all classifications, improves employer contributions to retirement, health, and welfare benefits, and bilingual pay compensation. “This is a good contract,” adds Mireya Ramos. “Planned Parenthood workers are glad they still have a union.” The bargaining team consisted of union members Ramos, Nina Hoffman, Claudia Garza, Mona Montgomery, and Sharon Wonder. The lead negotiator was McCan- Murrell. She was assisted by senior field representative Andrea Zanetti. Support Immigration Reform National advocacy organizations, including SEIU, HERE (Hotel and Restaurant Employees), the United Farm Workers, LIUNA (Laborers’ Union), and the National Council of La Raza will team up with churches and neighborhood groups in 30 cities to collect one million postcards supporting immigration reform. To send an electronic postcard, go online to www.SEIU.org. Fresno County Fresno County Unit 2 employees overwhelmingly approved agency shop last month, reports Lisa Edelheit, Local 535 central regional director. The vote covers nearly 800 Fresno County security officers, correctional officers, juvenile correctional officers, family support officers, family support assistants, and process servers. “This vote is a tribute to the strong and active chapter union leadership,” says Edelheit. “Workers need to be heard around issues of job security and to be respected.” The centerpiece of the union agency shop campaign was the chapter leadership. “They ensured a union presence at every work shift,” adds Edelheit. “This wasn’t easy because the majority of employees work in lock-down shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Union members who participated in the campaign include the following: correctional officers Kay Johnson, Victor McGill, Josie Ruiz, Paul Beckley, and Anna Casey; family support officers Victor Brewer, Debbie Macias, Erlinda Guerra, Kristy Ferruici, and Mike Robinson; juvenile correctional officers Kevin Smith, Bob Winebrenner, and James Graham; security officers Rudy Flores, Mike Civicor, John Golbal, and Henry Aranda; 535 staff Gerrry Villero, Yolanda Guerra, Tom Abshere, Bob Solis, Andy Christiansen, Rudy Waller, Mario Hernandez, Lisa Edelheit, Willas DeMorst, Liane Mazella, and Corina Galaviz. Are you interested in short- or long-term temporary work with the union? Want to learn more about field staff representation work and organizing? If you are, contact Local 535’s Organizing Director Willas DeMorst at (626) 295-0102, Southern Regional Director George Daniels at (626) 796-0051, Central Regional Director Lisa Edelheit at (559) 261-9311, or Northern Regional Director Damita Davis Howard at (510) 893-8766.
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