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Union ‘Education Week’ in June & October!

Due to the high level of member interest in UFCW 1518’s new union education program, Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518, has announced the union will hold an ‘Education Week’ in both June and October 2010 at the union’s New Westminster offices.

“With the number of registrations we’ve received already, we felt it would work well for the members to kick off with an “Education Week” from June 15-18,” said Limpright. “If a member’s schedule means they can’t make the June session, we are already planning another session for this fall. The goal is to make sure this union’s members get the kind of good, solid union education they want, and they deserve.”

“We are creating the opportunity for Local 1518 members across the province to have access to our courses, and no matter where you live in B.C., you should feel free to sign up for the courses that interest you,” he said. “Because there is a particularly strong demand for the two-day Advanced Shop Steward course, we will be focusing on this course during our Education Weeks this year.

For all the information on UFCW 1518’s union education program, go to the union’s website www.ufcw1518.com.

Loblaws Ordered to Pay Over $50,000 to Members Over Illegal Prince Rupert Lock Out

Loblaws, the Toronto based grocery giant that owns Extra Foods in Prince Rupert, has been ordered to pay its Prince Rupert employees full wage recovery for the period of an illegal lockout. This amounts to over $50,000 according to available information. The order was handed down by the BC Labour Relations Board.

The order came after the LRB determined that actions of Extra Foods management that reduced hours constituted an illegal lockout of the employees during bargaining for a new collective agreement with UFCW 1518. Union members in Prince Rupert have been fighting for a new contract for months against Loblaws demands that they accept massive wage and benefit reductions.

Local 1518 had been paying the equivalent of Lock out Pay to ensure that members would not suffer economically from Loblaws illegal actions.

“Loblaws is attempting to turn all of the Extra Foods stores in the province into “low wage ghettos” says Local 1518 President Ivan Limpright, “and our members refuse to see their livelihoods destroyed by this employer.”

Local 1518 members at the Extra Foods store in Maple Ridge have been on strike against Loblaws for seventeen months in the same fight as the Prince Rupert members.

Union Files Grievance over Safeway’s Breach of Peoplesoft Settlement

Despite Safeway signing an agreement to resolve the Peoplesoft payroll fiasco, payroll problems continue for UFCW 1518 members, and Safeway has simply not been responsive or responsible in cleaning their mess up. As a result, the union filed a grievance against the company for breaching the conditions of the February agreement it signed that was supposed to address the problems.

The union has been advised that Peoplesoft is a payroll system used by many large organizations with thousands of employees. The difference between Safeway and these other organizations is the others took the necessary time to ‘test-drive’ Peoplesoft and solve any problems BEFORE using it in their workplace – a simple step that Safeway apparently ignored.

Did You Know…Safeway Clerk IIs are Eligible for Benefits!!

Clerk IIs eligible for Dental/Health benefits should check to make sure Safeway has them enrolled! It has been brought to the union’s attention that Safeway has not been enrolling or advising Clerk II members that they are eligible for benefits.

As of January 1, 2008 the eligibility requirements changed to make it easier for Clerk IIs to qualify for the Dental Plan and Extended Health Plan.

Clerk IIs who meet the following criteria…

• Minimum 6 months continuous employment;
• 22 or more hours worked averaged over the previous 13 weeks employment

…are eligible for the following benefits:

Dental coverage – including basic services, major services and orthodontic services, subject to some maximums, limitations and exclusions.

Extended Health Coverage: including hospital stays, prescription drugs, eyeglasses and contact lenses, medical equipment and paramedical visits subject to some maximums, limitations and exclusions.

To inquire about your eligibility, call Safeway Human Resources: toll-free 1-888-310-1318 ext. 3381.

If you believe you’re eligible, but are not receiving these benefits, please contact your store management and have them enroll you immediately. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Union Representative!

Do NOT let Safeway Change your Schedule – You are entitled to be paid for your Scheduled Work!

The most drastic hours cuts in memory have been bad for Safeway members – those members still getting hours are working in stores that appear under stocked and more run-down than ever. To make things even worse, Safeway managers are resorting to changing union member’s schedules – and they aren’t playing by the rules when they do it!

The union continues to receive numerous reports from members across the province about how store management is changing their schedule at the last minute – in clear violation of Section 5.08 of your contract. Don’t be cheated out of your hours and your pay just because Safeway can’t get their act together. The contract requires management (or someone designated by management) to attempt to inform you verbally of a change – a note beside the time clock or post-it on your timecard does not constitute “notice!”

Save-On/Overwaitea Scheduling Training to Begin Shortly

Following mediated hearings and a settlement agreement with mediator Mr. Brian Foley, scheduling practices will be put in place and training for schedule writers and Shop Stewards was to be conducted within Save-On/Overwaitea stores. Overwaitea senior management was to conduct the training via ‘webinar’ (website seminar)

Urban Fare Members Prepare for Negotiations

Worker representatives from three Urban Fare stores in Vancouver met at the union’s New Westminster offices on March 30th and April 19th to discuss members’ proposals, and develop a proposal package to take to the membership for ratification in the coming weeks. Once the package of proposals has been finalized and approved by vote of the membership, it will be taken to the bargaining table and presented to the employer by the Union Negotiating Committee.

Starbucks Members at Safeway: you have the right to be paid properly!

A reminder to all Starbucks members who relieve the person in charge: you are entitled to a 50 cent premium on top of your regular wage.

Concerns have been brought forward to the union from some UFCW 1518 Starbucks members regarding them not receiving their proper premium pay when relieving the person in charge.

The issue of premium pay is clearly spelled out in Letter of Understanding #7 (LOU #7) in the Safeway contract and the union is currently investigating the situation on behalf of Starbucks members.

One Starbucks member in the Okanogan who was not receiving her proper premium pay last year was compensated for all of her premium time that store management failed to pay her. The member was paid after she brought the issue forward.

If any Starbucks members are experiencing problems and you believe you are not being paid properly, please contact your Union Representative so the matter can be investigated and promptly corrected.

UFCW 1518 and Overwaitea Work to Achieve Positive Workplace

The Union and Overwaitea Foods Group have agreed to work together in a Joint Diversity and Training Trust established in 2008. The vision is to achieve a positive and respectful work environment that reflects the diversity in our communities while allowing members to realize their true potential. The Trust will create and launch initiatives to help promote diversity, trust and awareness that will benefit members. They will focus on principles such as human dignity and help members to be open to different ideas and each other.