Obama Hits the Ground Running:
Presses Bush on the Economy
and the War
President Elect Obama spoke to the nation and the world
at a rally in Chicago on election eve, November 4. In
the photo above the Obama family makes their first
post-election appearance. From left to right are:
Barack, Sasha, Malia and Michelle.
Capitalizing on the momentum
created by his historic election, President-elect Obama
has wasted no time speaking out for the American people.
In meetings with lame duck
President George Bush, Obama urged the soon to be timed
out administration to focus on creating conditions to
bring the troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. He also
urged that a stimulus package be implemented that helps regular citizens
and
not just Wall Street deal with the worst economic
downturn in memory.
To say that Obama's perspective
on the troubles of the nation is a breath of fresh air
would be a vast understatement. After eight years of
cold indifference from the Bush administration American
workers are finally going to have their voice heard at
the highest levels of US government.
Click here for an article from the Associated Press
on the Obama-Labor legislative program.
Currently America faces its
greatest challenges, both at home and abroad, in terms
of political and economic issues since World War II.
It is reassuring to know that we can count on an
incoming Obama administration to do the right thing for
the whole country and not just a select few.
Congratulations go out to the
membership of Local 5 for ushering in a new, positive
era, even given its challenges, for the country.
Dues
Proposal Passes by
Large Margin
Ballots were counted on
Monday November 24 and the tally showed that UFCW Local
5's dues proposal was passed by a more than two to one
margin. Ratification of this dues structure will
guarantee the economic viability of the local and allow
for the continuation of the fight for the betterment of
wages and working conditions for current members and
organizing opportunities for those not yet in the union.
Retail Food
Industry Industry Open Enrollment November 1-30
Open enrollment for Local 5
members in the retail food industry will be from
November 1-30. Members wishing to change coverage must
do so in writing to the trust fund. The fund will be
sending out annual update letters on which members can
change plans or confirm current status. The annual
update MUST be returned promptly to the trust fund. If
the update letter is not returned claims will not be
processed until such time as it is returned.
Trust
Fund Announces Health Reimbursement Account and
Healthcare Questionnaire
Beginning January 1 members
participating in the Trust Fund's PPO plan (level A, B
or C) will be eligible to access monies from a
healthcare reimbursement account (HRA) set up for them
and their families. This account can be used to pay
co-pays and deductibles charged under the plans.
Click here for a brochure recently mailed by the
Fund about the program. Additional funds may be added to
the account by taking the healthcare questionnaire
addressed in the brochure above.
Hess
Collection Members Collect Back Wages from Company
Local 5 members from the Hess Collection Winery met in
October to collect their second large settlement with
company in as many years.
UFCW Local 5 members working
at the Hess Collection Winery in Napa Valley collected
another large settlement from the company. The union,
working closely with the Agricultural Labor Relations
Board (ALRB), forced the company to pay out $282,528.21
in unpaid wages and penalties.
Since the company had already
paid another substantial claim in 2007 they should play
by the rules and avoid a 2009 vintage pay out.
Legal
and Worker's Comp Advice for Local 5 Members
Members needing advice on
legal matters or issues involving worker's comp may
consult with seasoned attorneys at Local 5's San Jose
office
Worker's comp advice is
available on the first Wednesday of the month and legal
advice is available on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
In order to schedule an appointment please contact Debra
Herrera at the San Jose office.
Headquarters
240 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-998-0428
877-655-FIVE
Fax 408-971-8355
E-mail Address: info@ufcw5.org
Alameda
County
28870 Mission Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94544
510-889-0870
Fax: 510-889-6415
California And Arizona
Agricultural Division
Salinas Office
1145 North Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906
831-758-1066
800-678-4829
Fax: 831-422-7997
Delano
Office
1122 Dover Place
Delano, CA 93215 888-889-9102
Fax: 661-721-7693
Contra
Costa County
4121 Alhambra Avenue
Martinez, CA 94553
925-228-8800
Fax: 925-228-8355
Tri-County Area
(Monterey,
Santa Cruz,
San Benito Counties) 1145 North Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906
Toll Free: 800-839-8329
Salinas: 831-757-3094
Monterey: 831-375-9592
Fax: 831-757-9115
Napa, Solano
Counties 410 Nebraska Street
mailing address: PO Box 4324
Vallejo, CA 94590
Vallejo: 707-643-8611
Napa: 707-255-8533
Fairfield/Vacaville:
707-422-5747
Fax: 707-553-1289
