October - UFCW Local 653
Transcription
October - UFCW Local 653
Local 653 Fact Finder Minneapolis, MN http://ufcw653.org Vol.53, No.10, October 2015 Picket line down at Glen Lake’s Market as store is sold By Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review, September 21, 2015 MINNETONKA--United Food and Commercial Workers Local 653 took down a picket line Monday at Glen Lake’s Market following the announcement that the business will be sold to union grocer Lunds & Byerlys. picketing prompted the sale of Glen Lake’s Market to Lunds & Byerlys. Glen Lake’s Market announced the store would close Sept. 30, while Lunds & Byerlys said it would reopen the grocery in early November. “The support of the community was fantastic,” Utecht said. When people learned the facts of the situation, he said, they understood that Wartman’s obligation to the workers and pension fund was a simple question of “right and wrong.” The UFCW picket line went up in June 2015 when Glen Lake’s Market opened at 14400 Excelsior Blvd. at the site of a former Fresh Seasons Market. At the same time, UFCW picketing also began at newly-opened Victoria’s Market at 7999 Victoria Drive, also at the site of another former Fresh Seasons store. Fresh Seasons owner Tom Wartman closed the two locations abruptly in May 2014, leaving $150,000 in unpaid vacation pay and unpaid holiday pay owed to UFCW members working there and also leaving $1.4 million in unfunded pension liability to the union’s pension fund. Wartman remained as the owner of the two properties, however, when the non-union Glen Lake’s Market and Victoria’s Market opened earlier this year. UFCW Local 653 launched picket lines at the two sites, arguing that Wartman needed to first fulfill his obligations to the workers and the pension fund before profiting from the two new grocery stores. The picketing continued seven days a week, with former Fresh Seasons employees, UFCW members from other stores, and UFCW staff walking the picket lines. The picketing kept customers away from the two new stores. Local 653 regularly posted photos on Facebook showing empty parking lots at Glen Lake’s Market and Victoria’s Market, even on holiday weekends. For UFCW Local 653 president Matt Utecht, “there’s no question in my mind” that the When the new Lunds & Byerlys opens at the Glen Lake’s Market site, Utecht said, the workers at the new store will be represented by UFCW Local 653, which has a long-standing relationship with Lunds & Byerlys. “Taking a bad guy out and replacing it with union jobs — that’s the ultimate,” Utecht said. “The phone has been ringing off the hook all day” with congratulations to the union for standing strong on the picket lines, he added. Utecht emphasized, “It’s the members, it’s the people walking the line that made this thing go… A union is about its members and it’s about all its members pitching in. It’s about strength in numbers and that has proven to be true in this case.” UFCW Local 653 isn’t finished with Tom Wartman, however. Former Fresh Seasons workers still are owed $150,000 in unpaid vacation pay and unpaid holiday pay and the $1.4 million unfunded pension liability also remains. “We will continue picketing at Victoria’s Market,” Utecht said. “We will continue legal action… This is good news but it doesn’t make any of the rest of it go away.” Lunds & Byerlys spokesperson Aaron Sorenson told the Minneapolis Labor Review that the company had no plans to purchase Victoria’s Market “at this time.” The Victoria’s “Picket line down” (continued on Page 2) Pension Fund Status Upgraded to “Green” By Matt Utecht, President In 2008 when the stock market crashed, the Minneapolis Retail Meat Cutters and Food Handlers Pension Fund investments were diverse and conservatively invested. Even with that conservative mode, the Plan suffered a 22% loss which equated to roughly $65 million. But many other multi-employer pension plans that were not as conservatively invested had losses of 30-40%. In 2008 the Pension Protection Act (PPA) established three categories (or zones) of plans: 1. “Green Zone” for healthy, 2. “Yellow Zone” for endangered, and 3. “Red Zone” for critical. These categories are based upon the funding ratio of plan assets to plan liabilities. In general, Green Zone plans have a funding ratio greater than 80%. Yellow Zone plans have a funding ratio between 65 and 79%. And Red Zone plans are less than 65% funded. As a result of the 2008 stock market crash, the MRMC&FH pension plan fell from what today would be Green Zone (healthy) to Yellow Zone for endangered. As a result of being classified Yellow Zone, the MRMC&FH pension plan by law had to implement a rehabilitation program. Part of the rehab plan included changes that came as a result of the 2010 Minneapolis Retail contract negotiations. Those changes included: • The normal retirement benefit crediting rate decreased from $65.00 per year of credited service to $35.00 per year of credited service for credited service earned on and after May 2, 2010. • The unreduced “30 and out” benefit was eliminated for employees hired on or after May 2, 2010. • The minimum number of hours required to earn a partial year of credited service was increased from 850 hours to 1,000 hours effective May 2, 2010. • Member/employees also gave back one week of vacation each year for two years (2010 and 2011) with that money being applied to the pension fund by the employers. As painful as these changes were, the MRMC&FH Pension Fund was still in a position many funds weren’t. And that was a position to remain solvent and work our way back to health. 2008 resulted in the collapse/failure of many pension plans. As a result of the many difficult decisions being made by the Trustees of this Fund and the considerable sacrifice of the participants, I’m very pleased to announce that as of June 2015 the MRMC&FH Pension Plan has moved from “Yellow” (endangered) status back to “Green” (healthy) status. Today the fund is at 80.3% funded and is projected by Fund actuaries to continue “Green” on a slow ride to a projected 100% funding status in 2028. In order to accomplish this slow ride we need to continue to have positive market returns and stable industry employment. A downturn in either of these items will put the plan back in the Yellow Zone. What does this look like in dollars? In March of 2009 the market value of the Fund was $284 million; in March of 2015 the market value of the Fund was $508 million. I would like to conclude this article by saying this: Great strides have been made to get this Fund from Yellow Zone (endangered) to Green Zone (healthy), and the Trustees must remain vigilant to be sure the Fund stays on a path that leads to 100% funding. We are not in a position to move the crediting rate up from the current $35.00 level at this time, and we will not move it up from the $35.00 level until such time that an increase can be safely attained. To move up the crediting rate prematurely as a “feel good” thing could send our plan back to “endangered” or “critical” status. We will not make that mistake. “Picket line down” (continued from Page 1) Market location is about 13 miles from the Glen Lake’s Market location. Sorenson also told the Labor Review that Lunds & Byerlys purchased only the Glen Lake’s Market grocery business, not the property, which is owned by Tom Wartman as Glen Lakes Mall, LLC. “We’ve signed a long-term lease agreement for the October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 2 site,” Sorenson said. In a news release, Lunds & Byerlys announced that the approximately 50 people working at Glen Lake’s Market “will have the opportunity to interview with Lunds & Byerlys with the goal of retaining as many of the store’s current employees as possible.” Critical Times—Experienced Leadership By Paul Crandall, Secretary-Treasurer T o say a great deal has happened in the industry and the local union over the past three years would definitely be a huge understatement. Under President Matt Utecht’s strong leadership, the union was able to negotiate with the employers who purchased the Rainbow Food stores and secure transition agreements with the new employers, preserving over 90% of the jobs. For those members who stayed in the six stores that were closing, President Matt Utecht with UFCW a severance agreement Region 6 Director Tish Ramirez was negotiated on their behalf. After the sale was completed, the local union filed a grievance against Roundy’s on behalf of the members for health, welfare and pension contributions as well as vacation and severance package payouts -- Local 653 was successful in securing a settlement of $875,618.20. This money would not have been paid to our members’ accounts without the union’s contract language that required the contributions, and the contract language that provides us with a grievance procedure. The union also reached out to the State of Minnesota to set up sessions at the union hall with the Dislocated Workers Program, helping members who were displaced receive training and skills for new jobs. President Utecht also reached out to employers who sent representatives to the union hall for job fairs. Several members were hired as a result of that connection. In September of 2014, Jerry’s announced they were closing the Lake Street Rainbow which they had purchased in July. This was shocking news to the 63 hardworking members who had just gone through the Rainbow sale. Immediately, the union met with Jerry’s management and discussed with them how to absorb these members into their existing stores, which they agreed to, and were able to place 98% of the employees who wanted to work in another Jerry’s location. After the sale was complete, the union discovered that Jerry’s Foods had hired “traditional” fulltime employees from President Matt Utecht with member Rainbow and changed Mike Sherman of Lunds & Byerlys their classification in the Wayzata contract to “classified assistants.” The company kept these members at their current rate of pay; however, by moving them to “classified assistants” they made Sundays a part of the workweek, and as a result, members would lose the Sunday premium pay of time-and-a-half. President Utecht was adamant and vigilant that this was not negotiated in the transition agreement with Jerry’s and filed a grievance on behalf of the members. This grievance was settled with Jerry’s returning all the full-time employees to traditional full-time. Sunday remained outside of the work week and premium pay was restored. Looking back over the past two years, President Matt Utecht with Lunds & Byerlys union contracts have President Tres Lund successfully been negotiated with pay increases for Minneapolis grocery workers and the Brainerd Lakes area for the first wage increase in four years. Health & Welfare has undergone many challenges never seen before. As Chairman of the Health & Welfare and Pension Trust Funds, President Utecht has worked with the Board of Trustees to save the Health & Welfare Fund. Difficult decisions needed to be made to reshape the health plan for a sustainable future for the participants. The Pension Plan has just been certified in the “green zone” (see President Matt Utecht and Secretary-Treasurer President Utecht’s Paul Crandall on informational picket line in article). Glen Lake In May of this year the staff of Local 653 began an informational picket line at Victoria’s and Glen Lake’s Markets. Taking the fights to the streets, the union is standing up to Tom Wartman who owes his former employees vacation pay, health, welfare and pension contributions. It was announced on September 21, 2015, that the Glen Lake’s Market location has been purchased by Lunds & Byerlys. The store closed on October 1 and will reopen as a unionized grocery store in early November. This will bring over 50 new union jobs to Local 653. However, the Critical Times (continued on Page 4) October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 3 Critical Times (continued from Page 3) fight still continues at Victoria’s Market. The Union and the Fund have filed lawsuits against Wartman. For the first time, President Utecht hired a Special Project Union Representative (SPUR). Ondrea Shallbetter currently holds this position. She is working on organizing projects with a new commitment and dedication to collaborating with the Region and International unions. In addition to this, there has been a creation of a joint labor/ management committee. Their main objective is to give the members a better level of communication and understanding on health, welfare and pension benefits. President Utecht has also connected to the Minnesota AFL-CIO by serving on their executive board to form a better relationship within the State Labor Federation for joint efforts against nonunion competition like HyVee. President Matt Utecht with UFCW United Latinos President Pete Maturino The union also participated in a first-ever joint picket campaign against Walmart in Andover with management and rank and file members standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the picket line. Looking back, the union has been faced with enormous issues; however, under the effective leadership of President Utecht, the entire staff at Local 653 has been working hard to stand up to the challenges and make your voice heard in the workplace. There will be many more challenges in the future. These challenges will be met with strong and experienced leadership. Local Union 653 is proud of its past and has great faith in the future! T Local 653 Member Kate Penick is Recipient of UFCW International Scholarship he 2015 Scholarship Program Committee of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union announced that Kate Penick is a winner of an $8,000 scholarship award, payable over a four-year period! She has worked at the Lunds & Byerlys in Golden Valley for the past 2½ years. She started as a courtesy bagger and is now a cashier and has learned a lot about customer service and team work. As a graduate from Robbinsdale Cooper High School, Kate earned her IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma in addition to her regular high school diploma. She is now attending Regis University in Denver, Colorado, where she is majoring in Social Justice and Peace Studies. Kate truly enjoys her job at Lunds & Byerlys in Golden Valley, interacting with both her coworkers and customers. She plans to work again over winter break when she is home for Christmas and again next summer. Kate is grateful for the union scholarship! Congratulations, Kate! We’re proud to call you one of Local 653’s own! October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 4 2016 Minneapolis Retail Meat and Grocery Contract Negotiations: Contract Proposals and Committee Members Wanted I By Matt Utecht, President t seems like only yesterday when we concluded our last Minneapolis Retail Meat & Grocery contract negotiations. As most of you are aware, I’ve been meeting with a group of employers since last spring (Tres Lund of Lunds & Byerlys, Bob Shadduck of Jerry’s, Mike Oase of Kowalski’s, Mike Stigers of Corporate Cub), and the conversations have been centered on Health & Welfare and Pension. Contract negotiations will officially kick off the first part of January 2016. Between now and then I will be asking you – our members – to share your thoughts and ideas on the changes you’d like to see in the next contract. Those ideas are more commonly referred to as “proposals.” Contract proposals can be made by any member working in the Retail Meat and Grocery industry. Contract proposals can be submitted to the Union in a number of ways: • Share your proposal with your Union Representative when you see him/her in your store. • Mail it to the Union office UFCW Local 653 Attn. Matt Utecht 13000 63rd Avenue North Maple Grove, MN 55369 • Email directly to me at mutecht@ ufcw653.org • Or call the office (763-525-1500) Please give careful consideration to this and participate by sharing your ideas. I’m also looking for members who would like to participate directly in the negotiation process by volunteering to become a contract negotiating team member. I will select the committee by mid-November at the latest. A well-rounded negotiating committee will be made up of part-time and full-time members from a wide range of classifications throughout the stores. Committee members must be open minded, not afraid to think “outside the box,” and be able to think about all the workers/ members they will represent, not just about personal issues. I’m also looking for a wide range of ages and experience. If this sounds interesting to you, please send me a written request to serve on the 2016 Negotiating Team. • Give the letter to your Union Representative in person • Mail it to the Union office UFCW Local 653 Attn. Matt Utecht 13000 63rd Avenue North Maple Grove, MN 55369 • Or email me directly, mutecht@ ufcw653.org I look forward to hearing from you. Remember – this is a great opportunity to have a voice in your contract. Rarely does anything good come easy, so be prepared to work hard, work long hours, and fight if necessary. October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 5 Lunds & Byerlys Bloomington Store Remodel By Scott Larson, Union Representative L unds & Byerlys has completed remodeling at their Bloomington store. This remodel included new flooring, paint and signage throughout the entire store. They did a complete remodel of the bakery with new shelving, take and bake, artisan case and fresh doughnut case. The deli department’s renovation includes a new artisan cheese case, hot food bar and new cases for lunch meats. The meat department has an entire new look with new cases and back wall. While visiting the store you can see how delighted the customers are with all the changes -- they are clearly enjoying the new shopping experience. Betty Byers, Ayisha Marshall, Joy Bittner Cindy Anderson, Diann Deme, Melinda Pittorf Mike Flood Loryn Anderson, Ivy Duchein October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 6 Requesting Full-Time? A Well-Written Letter Can Help A lthough the current Minneapolis Retail Grocery union contract is in effect through March 5, 2016, it’s not too early for those classified as Group 2 (part-time employees) who are interested in becoming classified as Group 1 (full-time employees) to start preparing their letter of promotion for submission. All current letters filed or submitted under the current contract expire after March 5, 2016. If you file or submit a new letter of promotion any time after March 5, 2016, that new letter will be in effect for the remainder of the lifetime of the contract under which it is filed. Language addressing this can be found on page 34 (paragraph F) of the current contract book and is stated as follows: (F) Except for Group 3 parttime employees, Group 2 employees within each classification may request transfer into Group 1 when openings become available. Such requests must be made, in writing, to the Employer and the Union, and to be valid they must be re-filed after the effective date of each contract. Employees in Group 2 who so notify the Employer and the Union of their desire to be promoted to Group 1, prior to the filing of the position in Group 1, shall be selected in accordance with their seniority. Such employee’s full-time rate of pay shall be the starting rate of pay for full-time employees in the applicable classification according to Appendix C. However, the employer may fill up to fifty percent (50%) By Doug Rigert, Union Representative of such openings in each classification with persons from outside the bargaining unit which includes parttime employees inside the bargaining unit irrespective of seniority. It is important that you provide a copy of your promotion letter to your company’s human resource department as well as providing the union a copy, and keep a copy for yourself. In regards to the subject of this article as it relates to the contract, it is also important to understand that when the term “Group 1” is used, it is referring only to the full-time classification found in the middle of page 49 of the contract book listed as Full-Time Food Handlers and Pharmacy Employees. This is commonly referred to as a “Traditional Full-Time.” Letters of promotion only apply toward promotions to Group 1 classification and not toward Classified Assistant or Retail Specialist positions. Unlike the Classified Assistant position which can be filled by anyone the employer chooses, the contract states in Section 17.5B: “Retail Specialist positions shall be filled on the basis of store seniority from Group 2 part-time employees who respond to notice of such vacancy to be posted within the store in which the vacancy exists. However, the employer may fill up to fifty percent (50%) of such openings in each classification with persons from outside of the bargaining unit which includes part-time employees inside the bargaining unit irrespective of seniority. Employees shall be given a period of five (5) calendar days within which to respond to any such opening.” If you want to be considered for a Retail Specialist position posted in your store, you must sign the posting in order to do so. When you compose a letter requesting full-time employment, it should include how long you have worked for your employer, what position you currently hold as well as any experience, skills or previous positions you have held with your company or previous employers. It is crucial to include what more you have to offer your employer if you’re promoted to a full-time position. Always keep in mind that your letter is likely to be read by someone who may not know you. Your letter is one way of selling yourself, so it should be written in a way that it stands out and so that whoever reads it is left with a positive impression of you as a potential full-time employee. You might find it beneficial to have your store director read it before you officially submit it. They may recommend or have suggestions to make your letter even better. Once you have submitted your letter, you should contact your human resource department to confirm they have received it and also to set up an appointment to formally introduce yourself and discuss any future possibilities for full-time employment. Although letters of promotion only apply toward promotions to Group 1 classifications, there is no harm in expressing in your letter that should there be any openings for a Classified Assistant or Retail Specialist position (both of which are 40 hours per week positions with benefits), you would like to be considered for them as well. October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 7 Changes and More Changes By Nancy Vaillancourt, Union Representative T he Lunds & Byerlys of Eden Prairie has seen many exciting changes in the past year. They went from a Rainbow to a Byerlys and now to this beautiful Lunds & Byerlys store. It is so nice hearing all the employees – most of whom worked there while it was a Rainbow – saying how excited they are to come to work every day. The new store is amazing, featuring the pharmacy, Caribou coffee shop, café and salad bar, and Bone Marché Pet Market. They also have a delicious hot food buffet and Hissho Sushi. Stop in and check it out. You will be impressed with all the remarkable changes. Leah Stadt and Leslee Bode Doug Holtz and David Upscher October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 8 Jack Anderson, Mason Satterman, Kent Laurence, Debra Hruska, Craig Carlson, Deb Fischer, Paulette Simonette Leelamatie Ally John Warhol, Sean Shogren, Derek Host The Scandinavian 653 Connection By Rick Milbrath, Union Representative I ngebretsen’s is a family-owned institution that for over 90 years has catered to the tastes of folks who came from Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland) and now from everywhere. When you walk into the store, you walk through the Scandinavian gift shop, which has a wide selection of wonderful gifts such as Finnish crystal, Danish porcelain, Icelandic ceramics, sterling silver jewelry from Norway, knickknacks and linens from Sweden that women and men would love. As you walk into the meat department, you know you’re walking into a specialty shop when your nose smells the aroma of an old fashioned meat market and your eyes see the Norwegian salted herring, smoked whitefish, herring in wine sauce, sour cream sauce, regular sauce, and then the smoked Norwegian salmon (it’s the best!). The wall behind the counter is filled with all kinds of treats and crackers with old fashioned butcher block countertops. Next is the fresh meat section, with the regular selection of steaks, chops, roasts and hamburger. Then you see the list of specialty items—Rømmegrøt (cream porridge), Erlesuppe (pear soup), Danish or Swedish Medister (sausage), Swedish meatball mix (over seven tons made each season!) and homemade gravy. They also make dozens of meat products that aren’t available anywhere else in town, and the list goes on and on. Believe me—I’ve heard it’s all great! They also Meat cutter Steve Dahl displays some of the tasty cuts available at Ingebretsen’s smoke their own hams, dried beef, fish, bacon, and beef jerky. On Fridays only there’s a well-known secret – they smoke what I call blue ribbon baby back ribs that sell out in one day. (You need to order the amount you need ahead of time.) You and your guest won’t be disappointed. Want a beef ribeye, sirloin, tenderloin or pork chops cut to order? No problem. There is always someone behind the counter ready to serve you or answer any question you might have. There is also a cheese case with a large selection of cheeses from all over Scandinavia, which they will cut to order. If you happen to be down on Lake Street and want to step back in time, and want some homemade sausage or some great Scandinavian products, visit Ingebretsen’s at 1601 East Lake Street and look around. Say hi to the Local 653 meat cutters who work there and try some of the great products that these guys make. By the way – did I mention that Ingebresten’s is the oldest continuous running union shop in Local 653 history? October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 9 Thank you for the two Minnesota State Fair tickets-what a surprise! My sister and I went the first day. We stayed about 8 hours! --Mary Than k seats you so muc h again to the Aug for the fa ust 2 st Ho n 8th T tastic uston night . w a i It again nd the Tw was a be ns game ins wo autifu . n 3-0 l ! Tha nks --Joa nne y to happ kets!! o o o s ic I was ate Fair t h for t uc S win u so m in! o y k Than nce to w orma ha --N the c e or th uch f he MN m y r t e you v ts to ime. I Thank sion ticke a great t of is d er 2 adm Fair! We ha st weath e b e the Stat e. dy it was s her --San think days it wa the 10 Thank you for the State Fair tickets. We had a great time! --Joni ut nd o fi o ise t te urpr MN Sta he s a t t e a d h h ,w to t ther an ood o G Wow tickets r yb n fect. too I wo I took m as per nd not w . a . Fair e went oo hot at time e t e w Su r t y g o a d da r, n e a h h t wea ed. We d crow Thank you so much for the 4 fair tickets. I shared 2 of them with a co-worker. --Deb Thank y ou very m the Min nesota S uch for ta tickets. I wasn’t te Fair s ure if I could a ffo year, bu rd to go this t th free adm anks to your is am goin sion tickets, I g! I alwa ys look forward to the Fa i r each year. It is fun a nd has great fo od. --Susan Service Pins Sent Out August - September 2015 10 Years Marlena Leavy (Jerry’s Cub - Knollwood) Randall Lietzau (King’s County Market - St. Francis) Danielle Schultz (King’s County Market - St. Francis) 30 Years Deborah Ellison (Cub - Burnsville South) Catherine Thieschafer (Cub - Plymouth) Deborah Woodruff (Knowlan’s Festival Foods - Andover) 15 Years Carol J. Anderson (Cub - Vicksburg) 40 Years Susan A. Olson (Knowlan’s Festival Foods - Andover) 20 Years David Grussendorf (Jerry’s Cub - Chaska) 45 Years Roger Olson (Almsted’s Fresh Market - Crystal) 25 Years Mohammad Haider (Jerry’s Rainbow - Richfield) Joel Logeais (Kowalski’s - Lyndale) Helen Wold (Cub - Quarry) October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 10 Biggest Loser Contest By Nancy Vaillancourt, Union Representative T is proud to partner with he final weigh-in is approaching fast! I hope you all have been successful in meeting your weight loss goals these past few months! Final weigh-ins will be on Thursday and Friday, October 29 and 30, 2015, at our Maple Grove office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. All weights must be recorded by Friday at 4:00 p.m. No exceptions! The winners will be announced at our monthly membership meeting on November 2, 2015. First prize $750.00 Second prize $500.00 Third prize $250.00 All prizes are for gift cards to a Local 653 grocery store of your choice. If you have any questions, please contact me at 612-965-4309. The Hall at Local 653 can hold up to 300 guests for a formal plated dinner service with classic decor, decorative lighting, raised ceilings and a beautiful room design. We would love to host an event you are planning – whether it is a casual meeting or an elegant affair. Partnering with Lunds & Byerlys Catering takes the stress out of entertaining. Their event planners will work with you one-on-one to make your vision a reality. They can help you arrange food, wine and spirits, linens, floral arrangements, entertainment and full-service staffing! Arrange a visit or consultation today! Please contact Jessica B. or Paulette T. at 952-897-9800 FOR ANY OCCASION • Wedding • Graduation • Social Gatherings • Family Reunion • Corporate Events • Formal Dinner Visit us online at Hall653.org or Catering.lundsandbyerlys.com October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 11 UFCW Local 653 13000 63rd Avenue North Maple Grove, MN 55369 www.ufcw653.org 763-525-1500 or 1-800-292-4105 Matthew P. Utecht, President Paul Crandall, Secretary-Treasurer JERRY’S FOODS: Jerry’s Sausage Brainerd / Baxter Cub Foods - Baxter Super One - Crosby Super One - Pequot Lakes Supervalu - Byerly’s St. Cloud CUB FOODS: Crystal, St. Louis Park Union Representatives Steve Milner CORPORATE CUB FOODS: Apple Valley, Bloomington, Burnsville HOTC, Burnsville South, Chanhassen, Eagan West, Eagan East, Eagan North, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Lakeville West, Rosemount, Savage, Shorewood Golden Living (Bloomington and Chateau), Healthcare Services (Bloomington and Chateau) Organizer: Jim Schommer Lunds & Byerlys Empoyee Retires After 42+ Years! C By Nancy Vaillancourt, Union Representative ongratulations to Kathleen Jacobs as she retires from an outstanding 42½ years of service with Local 653. I don’t think there are too many members who are fortunate enough to say they had that many years of service at one company and one location. Kathleen started her career at Lunds & Byerlys in Edina as a full-time cashier in March of 1973. The only change she ever had to make was when Edina opened a new store that replaced the original store last fall. Recent staffing changes helped her in her decision to retire. CORPORATE CUB FOODS: Blaine North, Blaine South, Brooklyn Park North, Brooklyn Park South, Coon Rapids South, Champlin, Fridley, Lagoon, Maple Grove, Silver Lake Road, Rockford Road, New Brighton, Vicksburg, Monticello KOWALSKI’S MARKETS: Lyndale, Eagan, Hennepin, Chicago (Parkview), Eden Prairie Homestead at Anoka, Gold Cross, Oaklawn Healthcare Kathleen is looking forward to spending time with her two granddaughters and finishing some outdoor projects. Scott Larson LUNDS & BYERLYS: Bloomington, Central, Edina, Hennepin, Lake Street, Minnetonka, Navarre, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Richfield, Wayzata, Lunds & Byerly’s Kitchen, Lunds Manufacturing Villa at Bryn Mawr, New Horizon (Bryn Mawr), Healthcare Services (Bryn Mawr) Best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement, Kathleen. Enjoy! Doug Rigert JERRY’S CUB FOODS: Bloomington, Brookdale, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Knollwood, Lake Street, Nicollet, Quarry, Richfield, Rogers, Southdale, West Broadway JERRY’S FOODS: Edina, Eden Prairie, Jerry’s Enterprises Innsbruck Healthcare, A’viands Rick Milbrath Ingebretsen’s - Nelson’s Meats - Swanson Meats Cooper’s Foods - Almsted’s Fresh Market - Jubilee Foods - Cub Foods Shakopee - Driskill’s Foods - Oxendale’s Market - Bergan’s SuperValu - Hirshfield’s - Brede KNOWLAN’S FESTIVAL FOODS: Andover, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park KING’S COUNTY MARKET: Andover, St. Francis Nancy Vaillancourt LUNDS & BYERLYS: Burnsville, Chanhassen, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Ridgedale, St. Louis Park, Plymouth Rainbow BONE MARCHE’: St. Louis Park HAUG’S - Cub Coon Rapids (Williston), Cub Minnetonka (Haug), Cub Waterford JERRY’S CUB: Elk River Everett’s Foods Park Health & Rehab, Healthcare Services @ Park H&R October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 12 Executive Board Members Matthew P. Utecht, President Nick Stute, Vice President 6 Paul Crandall, Secretary-Treasurer Paul Merchlewitz, Vice President 7 Colleen Ryan, Recording Secretary Melissa Charles, Vice President 8 David Maas, Vice President 1 Judi Johnson, Vice President 9 Tom Potvin, Vice President 2 Michael Gaulrapp, Vice President 10 Doug Dehmer, Vice President 3 John Pignato, Vice President 11 Theresa Kick, Vice President 4 Michael Sperbeck, Vice President 12 Lorrie Wayman, Vice President 5 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN...AGAIN! By Matt Utecht, President Isn’t it amazing how fast time flies? Before you know it we will have snow on the ground and Christmas will be upon us. On Saturday, December 5, 2015, UFCW Local 653 will be hosting the SIXTH ANNUAL BREAKFAST WITH SANTA CLAUS here at Hall 653!! The fun will begin at 9.00 a.m. with a great breakfast served by Santa’s elves. Following breakfast, with a call of “Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen, On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!” and a round of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” Santa will arrive to read some Christmas stories to the children and their parents. Then Santa Claus and his elves will pass out gift bags to the children. Santa will then be available to all the children so that they can sit on his lap and tell him what they would like for Christmas and give Mom and Dad the opportunity to take pictures with the children sitting on Santa’s lap. This event will give our union members the opportunity to have their children or grandchildren eat breakfast with Santa and not have to fight the crowds at the shopping malls, and I know that you will not find a better deal anywhere. The cost of Breakfast with Santa Claus is $8.00 per person. If you are interested in attending this year’s Breakfast with Santa, please fill out the form below and send it--along with $8.00 per person (checks payable to UFCW Local 653)--to: UFCW Local 653 Attn: Breakfast with Santa 13000 63rd Ave N Maple Grove, MN 55369 Payment must accompany your registration. The deadline for registration is Friday, November 27. We will confirm your reservations via email when we receive your form and payment. If you do not have an email address, we will mail a confirmation letter to the address that the union office has on file. I suggest that you sign up early, as the breakfast will fill up fast! Toys for Tots For the sixth consecutive year, Local 653 is joining with the United States Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots program to collect toys for children who might otherwise not have something special to open this Christmas. We will begin accepting new, unwrapped toys for the 2015 Toys for Tots campaign on November 2 at our office at 13000 63rd Avenue North in Maple Grove. You can also bring your donation to this year’s Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 5. Please consider making a donation of a toy this holiday season. We know that money may be tight, but please consider the children who are less fortunate than we are. Let’s try again to bring a smile to the face of a young child this Christmas who may not have a lot to smile about without your help. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE!!! Breakfast with Santa Claus Registration Form Member Name: Employer: Email address for confirmation: Adults: ______ X $8.00 = $ Children: ______ X $8.00 = $ Total: $ # of High Chairs Needed: # of Booster Seats Needed: October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 13 John Lego Memoria By Steve Milner, Un Our 6th annual John Lego Memorial Golf Tournament was held on Wednesday, August 26, at Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley. It was a beautiful 70 degrees at tee time. The sun was shining and the sky was clear. Ninety-one players were on hand for the shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. It was a great day of golf and talking with old friends. There were many foursomes who broke par, with the winners at eleven under par and the second place team at ten under par. At the end of the tournament, lunch was served and prizes were distributed. October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 14 I want to thank Matt Utecht and Paul Crandall for all their help. I also want to thank Rick Milbrath and Jim Schommer for their help with scoring, a big thank you to Doug Dehmer and Chris Erickson for their excellent culinary skills at the grill, and to the support staff at the office for assisting with organizing this event. The great Polish sausages we had for lunch came from Everett’s Foods on 38th and Cedar in South Minneapolis. Until next year… al Golf Tournament nion Representative October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 15 UFCW Local 653 Members: Retiree’s Club Meeting Notice Knights of Columbus Marian Hall 1114 American Blvd. W. Bloomington, MN 55420 Thursday, October 15, 2015 10:00 a.m Cards 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. Speaker United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Local 653 13000 63rd Avenue N. Maple Grove, MN 55369 763-525-1500 or 1-800-292-4105 Change Service Requested For more information: Thea Gullekson: 952-831-3143 Char Hanson: 612-869-9035 or Marlen Wahl: 952-888-3220 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 2899 Twin Cities, MN See page 13 for details on this year’s Breakfast with Santa! LLS and Local 653 Need YOU! Please join Team “UFCW Local 653” as we raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. LLS works to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. We’re assembling a team to walk in the annual “Light the Night Walk” on October 25, 2015, at the Mall of America. If you can join us for the walk, that would be great! But you can support us even if you can’t walk with us—you can make a contribution to our team! It’s easy. Simply go to lightthenight.org. If you want to walk with us, click on “Register October 2015 - Fact Finder - Page 16 to Walk” and follow the prompts to find Team UFCW Local 653 under the Minnesota Mall of America event. Join our team and start raising funds. If you want to contribute financially, go to lightthenight.org and click on “Donate.” Search for Team “UFCW Local 653” and follow the prompts to donate. We’ve set a big goal of raising $20,000 this year, and we’d love to have your help in this fight against blood cancers. Together we can make a difference!
Similar documents
May - UFCW Local 653
Nick Stute, Vice President 6 your behalf to resolve the Judi Johnson, Recording Secretary Paul Merchlewitz, Vice President 7 issue(s) and to help take David Maas, Vice President 1 Melissa Charles, ...
More informationAugust - UFCW Local 653
members were hired on with our existing employer group, and many of those jobs were FULL TIME.
More information