Holiday Open House pen House - Local 3 United Storeworkers ...

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O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N. L O C A L 3 U N I T E D S T O R E W O R K E R S. R W D S U / U F C W. DECEMBER 2008. Holiday Open House pen House.
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DECEMBER 2008

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Holiday Open House Tuesday, December 30th 11A.M. to 2:00P.M. Our Lady of Peace Church Hall 237 E. 62nd Street (Between 2nd and 3rd Aves.)

Notice to All Local 3 Members Effective July 1, 2009: Health care coverage for Local 3 members will be provided by Local 3-Bloomingdale’s CIGNA Plan. The details of the new Plan will be presented at meetings. The Storeworkers Security Plan will continue to administer sick leave days, optical coverage, burial benefits, cemetery plots and retiree benefits.

Collective Bargaining Agreement Finalized On October 10th an agreement was reached between Local 3 and Bloomingdale’s/Macy’s Inc. that provides for a change in the health care provider for Local 3 members. During the recent Presidential campaign the matter of health care coverage for American workers became a prime subject of discussion. The fact that between 45 and 47 million people do not have any health care coverage or do not have sufficient health care coverage was part of every candidate’s platform. Questions were raised regarding universal health care as well as other alternatives. Much discussion centered on health care plans offered by the various States for the working poor and mention was made about expanding Medicare or a similar federal program. Health care has evolved into a “for profit industry” instead of a “right” like police protection, fire protection and garbage collection. The current financial crisis compounds the situation. Yet, the health care industry, the oil companies and the pharmaceutical companies continue to reap record profits. Local 3 Union members employed by Bloomingdale’s will be offered coverage under the “Local 3/Bloomingdale’s CIGNA Plan” effective July 1, 2009. The administration of medical/surgical and diagnostic care as well as prescription drugs and dental coverage will no long be administered by the Storeworkers Security Plan after June 30, 2009. However, sick leave days, death benefits, burial plots, optical benefits and dismemberment benefits will continue to be administered by the SWSP. In accordance with the Union contract, Bloomingdale’s will continue to contribute 9% of the payroll to the Plan for health care costs of Plan participants. For newly hired employees, participation in any of the plan versions will commence after 180 days of employment. Participants will pay part of the established premiums. Agreement was reached whereby Bloomingdale’s will pay 52% of the premium and the participant will only pay 48% of the premium for the life of the contract which expires on March 1, 2012. A special feature of the Agreement provides for health care advocates PAGE 2 F DECEMBER 2008

who will assist Local 3 members with claims and/or complaints and grievances. One of the Union’s main objectives was to protect the many low wage earners and to protect the coverage of part-timers currently in the Plan. The existing CIGNA plans do not allow non-union part time employees to apply for health care coverage. Local 3 part time employees who are now covered by the SWSP may continue to have coverage after July 1, 2009.

Local 3 Storeworker Vol. XXII, No. 3

December 2009

Published by Local 3 United Storeworkers, RWDSU/UFCW 29-27 41st Ave. L. I. City, NY 11101 Telephone: (212) 371-6230 President: Ida Torres Sec.-Treas.: Cassandra A. Berrocal Recorder: Shaun Kavanagh Contributions on topics of interest to members of the Union are invited. Correspondence should be sent to the address above. ATTEND YOUR UNION MEETINGS

Obama Wins The candidacy of U.S. Senator Barak Obama as the Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States gave new hope to the world. For the first time in history an African-American was chosen as a major party’s candidate for the highest office in the nation. Obama’s candidacy inspired the young and the old; members of every ethnic group; first time voters and veteran voters; professionals and laborers. The over 55 million citizens who voted for him are a sincere indication of the coming together of the American public regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other differentiation. Obama cannot do anything alone. He must be supported by a Congress and a citizenry that is determined to settle the financial crisis we all face. Obama’s speeches gave working people hope that he would support access to the American dream of providing our children with improved opportunities through education and a guaranteed living wage in return for our labor. The American Labor Movement is campaigning for Congress to pass “Free Choice Legislation” that would provide working people with a fair chance to achieve union representation which would include higher wages and improved terms and conditions of employment and health care coverage as part of the wage package.

Obama’s candidacy awakened millions as to the importance of casting their vote because every vote counts. The “students drive” in support of Obama and his campaign use of the internet and television opened a door to a new way to reach much of the nation. Obama’s choices for his cabinet include a broad spectrum of ideas and ideology. He clearly stated “let bygones be bygones” and quickly set about the task of choosing the best of the best. Our nation is the cradle of democracy in action. By electing Obama the American people have spoken for fairness and respect for all humankind.

Members Discuss Health Care

THINK UNION · TALK UNION · ACT UNION

LOCAL 3 STOREWORKER F PAGE 3

UNITED STOREWORKERS RWDSU/UFCW 29-27 41st Avenue, Suite 400 Long Island City, NY 11101

LOCAL 3

COMMENTARY

by Torres & Berrocal

The current financial crisis is global. As usual, working people are the first to feel the effects of the financial manipulations by large investors and corporate executives who ran amok without Federal regulatory suppervision. The non-food retailing industry which includes department stores and boutiques is suffering from the affects of the credit industry’s less than honorable dealings. Greed and corruption got in the way of common sense and impacted on access to credit. Homeowners are walking away from houses they have called home. People are finding that their house is worth much less than the mortgage they are paying. Some workers are loosing their home because of health care bills they cannot pay. PAGE 4 F DECEMBER 2008

Banks are not lending money as freely as they did early this year. American car makers may receive a government sponsored bail-out and rightly so. But, how that money is spent must be regulated and monitored. There is a shining star in the orbit. The UFCW won a union election after a fifteen year organizing campaign at Smithfield Ham in North Carolina, gaining 5,000 new members. Let us celebrate the joyousness of the season as we gather with our families in commeration of Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanza. In Union Solidarity ATTEND YOUR UNION MEETINGS