Bill Bumpus an injury to one is an injury to all

Last year, because of their or their family member’s UFCW membership, Anne Kealy won a $4,000, Matthew Penick was awarded $3,000, and Nicholas Taylor received $1,000 towards their education. In 2019, will you be next?

Registration for the next semester of the UFCW’s Free College Benefit is open until January 11, so if you are a UFCW member, retired UFCW member, or a family member and one of your New Year’s resolutions was to go back to school and get your degree, make sure you don’t miss the deadline!

A series of settlements hammered out over the past few weeks between Marriott and its striking workers in Boston and seven other cities are ushering in groundbreaking benefits that could set a precedent not just for the service industry but for workers nationwide.

1. Janus dealt a heavy blow to labor—but public-sector unions didn’t crumble overnight.

In June, the Supreme Court issued its long-awaited ruling in Janus v. AFSCME—and it was just as bad as everyone feared. In a 5-to-4 decision, the court found that public-sector unions violated the First Amendment by collecting so-called fair-share fees from workers who aren’t union members but benefit from collective bargaining regardless.

Have a long-distance relative you still need to shop for? UFCW members receive 25% GiftTree gift baskets and Teleflora deliveries. More than just flowers and fruit, there’s a little something for everyone.

If you’re a 20-something juggling student-loan debt and a fast-changing economy, finding the time to think about a pension can be tough. This simple explainer shows the value of a pension and how powerful they can be.

UFCW Local 1459 is proud to say this year alone we have helped over 100 children of union families plus local charities celebrate Christmas.  We would like to thank everyone who participated in this third annual toy drive.  Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As details of the agreements between UNITE HERE workers and Marriott become public, one thing is clear: These victories provide a blueprint for collective bargaining going forward. As Brian Lang, president of UNITE HERE Local 26 in Boston said, “It changes people’s expectations about what’s possible.”

For more than two months, 7,700 hotel workers from Boston to Hawaii went on strike, demanding better wages and respect from Marriott, the most profitable hotel chain in the world.

Today, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) President Marc Perrone, issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives passing the 2018 Farm Bill conference report.

“Today’s passage of the bipartisan farm bill is a victory for hardworking families. Earlier versions were deeply partisan and proposed substantial cuts to SNAP, a vital program that not only helps millions in need put food on the table every day but creates sustainable jobs in food processing plants, distribution centers, and grocery stores across the country.

Thanks to the leadership of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, Congress has rightly rejected the cuts that would have threatened our economy and good jobs across America.

As the voice of workers who help put food on America’s tables, we are proud to be a partner in this legislation that puts people first by protecting access to food for families in need and making the strong investments in our workers and communities that we deserve.”

One of the benefits of union membership is being able to negotiate with your employer on equal footing. Rather than having to go to your boss as an individual and hope they are in the position to be able to do something about your concerns, union representation means there’s an organized and meaningful way to take worker concerns to the company and sit down and hammer out real, binding solutions.

Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), issued the following statement regarding a report by the Wall Street Journal that Amazon is testing its Amazon Go technology in bigger stores with the possibility of introducing it into Whole Foods stores across the United States, potentially impacting thousands of workers.

It’s been nearly six months since National Grid locked 1,250 skilled gas workers out of their jobs and cut them off from their health insurance. Now these workers are in serious danger of losing the only source of income keeping their families afloat: Unemployment Insurance. National Grid wants to force families into economic insecurity in order to enhance their bargaining leverage. We can’t let that happen – here’s how you can help:

Recently, the AFL-CIO launched another tool to bring you the issues and stories that matter to working people. Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, “State of the Unions,” where we talk to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka about the midterm elections and the future of the labor movement.

Dear brothers and sisters of Local 1459, it is with a heavy heart that we have to report to you the passing of a beloved coworker. Our Office Administrator of over 20 years Francine Hawk passed away suddenly last week of complications of an illness she was battling.

Francine Hawk was a wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Words can not describe the sadness we feel for Fran’s family and friends.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, we will surely miss the presence of a truly loveable and kind person.

In the days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, UFCW members from local unions around the country are coming together to help ensure everyone in their communities can enjoy a good holiday meal.

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) just released a new ad in support of its U.S. Mail Not for Sale campaign. The campaign is a worker-led effort that brings together working people, elected officials and member organizations of A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service to fight plans to privatize the U.S. Postal Service.

This Midterm Election working people made our voices heard and labor-endorsed candidates across Massachusetts and the country won! We know that during these times when our rights as working and middle-class Americans, immigrants, people of color, and women are under attack, it is crucial that we stand together and that our voices are front and center in the public arena. This year, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO endorsed a slate of candidates and ballot questions in state races to advance a pro-worker, pro-family agenda, strategically focusing on union member candidates and candidates that will work for all of the people of the Commonwealth. Our newly elected and re-elected candidates will increase our voice in Massachusetts. 

The fires sweeping through Northern California have destroyed the homes and taken the lives of loved ones in our Union family. There are no words to express our sorrow for their loss.

If you want to contribute to the UFCW 8 Disaster Relief Fund for California Fire Victims please go to UFCW8.org/donate.