UFCW Weekender

[Omaha Steve]

UFCW Weekender

Following is a brief roundup of important articles and information for your weekend reading:

* WORKERS AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST MEATPACKING PLANT CHOOSE UNION REPRESENTATION

http://www.ufcw.org/press_room/index.cfm?pressReleaseID=415

Workers at Smithfield Packing in Tar Heel, North Carolina, chose union representation with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). Workers voted 2041 to 1879 for a voice on the job.

Ronnie Ann Simmons, a veteran of 13 years at the plant said, “We are thrilled. This moment has been a long time coming. We stuck together, and now we have a say on the job.”


* Two years after massive raids, still waiting for immigration reform

http://www.icemisconduct.org/icemisconduct/press_center/swift2years.cfm

Two years ago today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided six meatpacking plants owned by Swift & Company across the United States. The tragic consequences of these raids are a stark legacy of the Bush administration’s 8 years of disastrous immigration policy.

This anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on how those policies have failed America’s workers, and how this administration has continued to choose harmful publicity-grabbing raids over real immigration reform.
*

American workers shouldn't have to stand alone

http://www.ufcw.org/docUploads/America%27sWorkersShouldn%27tHavetoStandAlone_1.pdf?CFID=6522109&CFTOKEN=87887659

In order to form a union, U.S. workers endure an undemocratic election process that allows too many employers to run aggressive and intimidating anti-union campaigns prior to the vote. But across the globe, other nations’ labor laws or practices allow workers to form unions and negotiate with employers, without navigating this adversarial process.

Print out this flyer and show your support for Employee Free Choice.

http://www.groceryworkersunited.org/NEWS_121008_Walmart.htm

* Wal-Mart to Pay $54 Million to Settle Suit Over Wages

According to the New York Times, Wal-Mart Stores announced a $54.25 million settlement on Tuesday of a lawsuit accusing the company of wage violations in Minnesota. The settlement covers about 100,000 current and former hourly workers at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in Minnesota from September 1998 through last month.
* Buying a Car or Truck? Buy Union!

http://www.uaw.org/uawmade/auto/2009/index.cfm

Click Here for the United Auto Workers (UAW) 2009 Consumer Buying Guide to purchase vehicles produced by union workers from the UAW, Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), or the International Union of Electrical Workers-Communication Workers of America (IUE-CWA).

This Week's Video

A look back on the immigration raids that took place two years ago today. Go to www.icemisconduct.org for more information: http://www.icemisconduct.org/icemisconduct/

To watch the video, go to: http://www.vimeo.com/2509271