| New York Times Columnist Praises Obama for Not Resorting to 'Shameful Pandering' |
The highly respected Thomas Friedman says that summer gas tax holiday embraced by John McCain and Hillary Clinton would be bad for the economy, bad for consumers and bad for the environment. For a text version of Friedman's column, visit "read more!" For a PDF version, visit "CHECK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE."
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| Obama Wins Endorsements from Leading PA Newspapers |
The Philadelphia Inquirer is the latest newspaper in Pennsylvania to endorse Sen. Barack Obama, joining the Philadelphia Daily News, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Allentown Morning Call and the Scranton Tribune-Times among the state's leading newspapers supporting Obama in the Tuesday, April 22nd primary election.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Barack Obama Visits Greets Shoppers and Meets UFCW Local 1776 Members at East Norriton ShopRite |
Presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was greeted by Local 1776 President Wendell W. Young, IV as he visited the East Norriton ShopRite in Montgomery County.
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| Change to Win Says to Congress: Defeat Columbia Free Trade Agreement |
The coalition, which includes the United Food and Commercial Workers, cites the continuing deadly violence in Columbia against union representatives.
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| Here's the most recent issue of Dialouge -- the April 2008 issue. |
For the latest issue of UFCW Local 1776's magazine, the April 2008 Dialogue, visit the "CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE" button below. For previous issues, visit the Communications page on the menu on the left side of this page.
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| Local 1776 Endorses Barack Obama for President |
The Executive Board overwhelmingly approved its support for the Senator's candidacy in the Tuesday, April 22 Pennsylvania primary election. For a printable pdf version of the 1776 news release visit "CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE" below. For a text version visit "read more!"
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| UFCW International Endorses Obama for President! |
President Joe Hansen cites Senator Barack Obama as "the best candidate to build a movement to unite our country that will deliver the type of change that is needed – for good jobs, affordable health care, retirement security and worker safety."
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Apply Now for Local 1776 Young Members Summer Internship Program; Deadline is May 2nd |
The Local 1776 Young Members Summer Internship Program is a paid eight-week experience working with the Local's professional staff, aimed at giving members age 18 to 25 experience in union organizing and policy issues. The deadline for applications is May 2, 2008.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Local 1776 and Local 23 Share Op-Ed Article on PLCB in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |
Presidents Wendell W. Young, IV and Ronald C. Lenhart co-author an analysis of why schemes to privatize the Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Shops would put the state's taxpayers and communities at risk.
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| The December 2007 Dialogue -- See It Here |
For the December 2007 issue of UFCW Local 1776's magazine, Dialogue, visit the "CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE" button below. For previous issues, visit the Communicaions page on the menu on the left side of this page.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Applications Available for UFCW International Scholarship Program; March 15 is Deadline! |
Your union is about more than your paycheck and your benefits. Visit either button below for details on the International's scholarship program.
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| Su union tiene que ver con mas con mas que su sueldo y beneficios. |
Para mayores informes, y para ver si usted cumpla con los requisitos, visite www.ufcw.org/scholarship
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| Harrisburg Patriot-News Focuses on Discussions Between Local 1776 and Rite Aid |
The discussions between UFCW Local 1776 and Rite Aid regarding the company's acquisition of the Eckert and Brooks stores was the focus of this article in the Nov. 11, 2007 Harrisburg Patriot-News. Local 1776 President Wendell W. Young, IV and his counterpart at SEIU Local 1199 are quoted extensively. Read the full story by clicking below on "read more!" for a text version or "CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE"
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| Arbitrator Rules for Local 1776 and Against Acme in '48-Month' Case |
The Local's position prevailed in a major case that will mean back pay for hundreds of workers. Visit either button below for full details. "Read More!" will give you a text version. "CLICK HERE FOR ACROBRAT PDF FILE" will give you a pdf of the latest Update to Acme members.
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| UFCW International Sues to Stop Workplace Raids |
Local 1776 President Wendell W. Young, IV, takes part in Washington, DC news conference announcing a federal lawsuit to block immigration raids that violate constitutional rights and labor law. For details, visit either button below. "read more!" gives you a text version; "CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE" gives you a pdf version. For a full text of the lawsuit filed by the UFCW International , visit Local 1776's Legal page on the menu on the left side of this page.
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| Huge Success: Bus Trip to the Smithfield Shareholders' Meeting |
Local 1776 hit the road to Williamsburg, VA with two busloads of members to voice outrage at Smithfield's treatment of its workers at its Tar Heel, NC plant. The Local supported the UFCW International's drive to demonstrate at Smithfield's shareholders meeting. The march and rally focused on injustices that the company is carrying out against its 5,500 workers to block unionization in Tar Heel. Visit the "Read More!" button below for a text version of the case against Smithfield, or visit "CLICK HERE FOR ACOBRAT PDF FILE" for a pdf copy of photos of the trip and the Case against Smithfield.
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| Young Re-Elected President of Local 1776 |
Wendell W. Young, IV was reelected as President of UFCW Local 1776 on July 2, 2007. Also elected were Michele Kessler, of Mountain Top in Luzerne County, as Secretary-Treasurer, and Barbara Johnson, of Reading in Berks County, as Recorder. As a result of the nomination and unanimous election of the Officers, Vice Presidents and Sergeants at Arms of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 at the nomination meetings, there was no full-scale election for Union Officers on July 11, 2007.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Here's the Lastest Update to Rite Aid Members |
Visit "CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE" to read the lastest update to Local 1776's Rite Aid members.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| The Facts About Wal-Mart |
Wal-Mart recently launched a multi million-dollar advertising campaign to silence its critics and hide the truth about the company. Visit either button below for the REAL facts about Wal-Mart. (CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE will give you a printable version.)
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| Contract Ratified in Southern California! |
Monday, July 22 -- All seven local UFCW unions involved in the difficult negotiations with three national giant supermaket chains in Southern California voted yesterday to ratify a new four-year contract, averting a repeat of the nearly five-month lock-out that took place in late 2003 and early 2004. At right, Local 1776 Presdent Wendell W. Young, IV talks with Local 770 members Chris Zazueta (center) and Jackie Gitmed (right) when they visited Greater Philadelphia from Southern California this past May to meet with Local 1776 members and officers. Click either button below for the highlights and details.
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| Wal-Mart Using Unpaid Children as Baggers in Mexico, Newsweek Reports |
The magazine details how the company makes more than $1.1 billion a year in profits in Mexico, but yet refuses to pay the minimum wage -- or anything -- to child baggers in its stores. Wal-Mart denies that the children are workers, yet it posts signs in its stores urging customers to tip the youngsters.
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| Consumers Lose as Dangerous Toys Enter Market from China |
The Bush administration has left the top job open at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for a year. The result: millions of recalls, the latest being 9 million toys made for Mattel.
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| Local 1776 Responds to Allentown Morning Call's Editorial Urging Privatization of PLCB |
The Monday, June 25 Allentown Morning Call included an editorial endorsing a proposal to privatize the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Later in the week the newspaper ran a response from Wendell W. Young, IV, President of UFCW Local 1776. Visit either button below for the response -- your choice of a PDF or text version.
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| Empire Kosher Honored by Jewish Labor Committee |
June 21, 2007 -- The national Jewish Labor Committee last night honored Empire Kosher as its Company of the Year at a dinner in New York City, citing the firm's progressive and productive relations with its workers. At right, UFCW International President Joe Hansen meets with Empire workers who attended the dinner and Local 1776 staff, headed by Michele Kessler, Secretary-Treasurer and Director of the Local's Northeast and Central Divisions. President Hansen introduced Empire CEO Greg Rosenbaum to the dinner crowd of more than 600 people.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Wal-Mart Being Slammed by 'Shrinkage' -- Meaning Thefts -- the AP Reports |
Shoplifting, other thefts and low employee morale are creating significant losses for Wal-Mart, the Associated Press reports. Read the full account by clicking on either button here.
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| Wal-Mart's Latest Ethics Controversy: Pressuring a Whistleblower? |
The magazine Business Week describes how Wal-Mart is forcing a whistleblower to find a new job within the company, or it will have to discuss "next steps."
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Latest Update for Acme Members |
Visit the pdf file below ("CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE") for the latest Update for Local 1776's Acme members.
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| Do You Pay Taxes? If So, You Probably Subsidize Wal-Mart |
Read how Wal-Mart has enjoyed more than $200 million in state and local economic development deals just in the past three years while at the same time it shifts health care costs for its workers to taxpayers! Meanwhile, the company reported more than $12 billion in profits in 2006.
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| 'Sea of 1776 Gold' Greets Governor Ed Rendell |
A backdrop of gold-clad Local 1776 members and staff greeted Governor Ed Rendell at a Harrisburg rally to support the Governor's Rx for PA -- his administration's health care reform legislation.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| 1776 Members at Hershey's Hazleton Plant Approve Contract Changes |
The vote "better positions the candy manufacturing facility as Hershey carries out its global transformation," Young says. At right, Hershey members Marilyn Hartz (left) and Dan Shustack, election tellers, double-check the vote count.
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| 'Love Mom, Not Wal-Mart,' Local 1776 Says in Mother's Day Campaign |
"Moms deserve better" is theme of action in Bucks County. Local 1776's Leslie Guzman (l) and Marcie Fonseca carry the message as members and staff greet shoppers in Bristol.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| President Wendell W. Young, IV Testifies on Health Care Crisis |
He tells State House Majority Policy Committee that responsible employers end up subsidizing their competitors, who are among the richest corporations in the world. At right, Local 1776 Director of Legislatiive and Political Action John Meyerson joins Young at the witness table.
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| Young Testifies on PLCB's Key Role in Preventing Underage Drinking and Providing State Revenue |
Local 1776 President Wendell W. Young, IV testified on April 18, 2007 before the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy Committee regarding the role of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) in preventing drinking by minors and the contributions it makes to the Commonwealth's revenue stream. Access the complete testimony by visiting "Read More" for a text version or "Click Here" for a PDF version.
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| 'We Stand Together' Is Message as UFCW Locals Face Supermarket Giants |
Two veterans of the five-month Southern California lockout in 2003-04 traveled to Philadelphia to deliver a message of unity as their bargaining unit, Local 770 in Los Angeles, continued negotiations with Acme's owner, SuperValu, and as Local 1776 prepared for contract talks with the same owner. At right Local 1776 President Wendell W. Young, IV talks with Local 770's Chris Zazueta (center) and Jacqueline Gitmed (right.)
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| Federal Taxes Becoming Less Progressive, New Study Shows |
The tax rates on highest incomes are falling, even as their share of pre-tax income is rising, according to a new report by the Washington, DC-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
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| Wall Street Journal Says Wal-Mart Eavesdrops on Critics and Shareholders |
Investigative report says the company uses high technology to spy on community organizations, employees and consultants. The disclosure came from a former Wal-Mart employee who taped a New York Times reporter's calls -- and then was fired after working for Wal-Mart for 19 years.
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| Local 1776's Knouse Members Ratify Three-Year Contract |
Meeting in Biglerville, members of Local 1776 at Knouse Foods voted to approve a new contract. The pact provides wage increases and improves health benefits. Members sign in (right) at ratification meeting.
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| 'Put America First,' Labor and Civic Leaders Urge Wal-Mart |
They call on the company to stop opposing the 100 percent scanning of cargo containers entering the U.S. At news conference, left to right, are Bill George, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO; John Sweeney, President of the Washington, DC-based AFL-CIO; Sam Ferraino, President of UFCW Local 1360; and Wendell W. Young, IV, President of UFCW Local 1776.
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| Brown, Ammons and Colligas Members Ratify Pacts; Vote Completes New Contracts for Shop Rite |
Local 1776's members at the Brown, Ammons and Colligas Shop Rites in Greater Philadelphia tonight ratified new three-year contracts covering 1,605 workers at 10 stores. Visit either page below (text or PDF version)
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| Report to Local 1776 Health Care Members |
Visit either page below (text or PDF version) for the March 9, 2007 Local 1776 Report to Health Care Members.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Collins, R&R and Zallie Shop Rite Members Ratify Contract |
Local 1776 members at the Collins, R&R and Zallie Shop Rites in Northeast Philadelphia voted by an 8-1 margin to approve a new three-year contract.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| U.S. House Passes Employee Free Choice Act; Battle Moves to the U.S. Senate |
On Thursday, March 1, 2007 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Employee Free Choice Act. The fight now moves to the U.S. Senate. Visit either page here to learn more about why this bill is so important.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| It's Time to Unite at Farmland Industries/National Beef! |
Visit here for information on the important effort underway at Farmland Industries/National Beef by UFCW Local 1776 in Hummels Wharf, PA.
CLICK HERE FOR ACROBAT PDF FILE. |  |
| Cargill Members Ratify Four-year Pact |
The new contract makes important changes in overtime provisions, and provides increases in wages and pension payments. Visit here to read the 1776 news release about the ratification, and visit the Communications page on the menu on the left to see 1776's Cargill members in the news!
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| International and Local 1776 Cite 'Postering' of Wal-Mart at its Health Care News Conference |
Joe Hansen, Wendell W. Young, IV and national news media point to the "empty gestures" of the company at its Feb. 7th Washington, DC media event.
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| Breaking News: Court To Wal-Mart: Go to Trial; Biggest Gender Discrimination Case to Move Forward |
A Federal appeals court orders Wal-Mart to stand trial on the largest-ever discrimination class-action lawsuit. This national bias case could cover as many as 1.5 million current and former female employees.
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| President Wendell W. Young, IV Elected Vice President of UFCW International |
At right, UFCW International President Joe Hansen and Wendell W. Young, IV, after Young’s election as an International Vice President.
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| UFCW Members in Wine and Spirits Shops Approve Four-Year Pact |
Monday, Jan 22 -- Members of UFCW Locals 1776, 23 and 27 met in ratification meetings throughout the state yesterday and voted by a 1,222 to 18 margin to adopt the pact tentatively agreed to 10 days ago by the shop stewards of the three locals. At right, Local 1776 PLCB member Jim Schlener votes at ratification meeting in Pittston.
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| Local 1776 Elects Kessler, Johnson |
Michele Kessler (left) replaces Herman Wooden, who retires as Secretary-Treasurer; Barbara Johnson (right) takes over as Recorder
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| Cedarbook Employees, Local 1776 Win PLRB Ruling |
20-Year Fight for Recognition Ends With Big Victory for Workers and Union
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| Local 1776 Endorses Dwight Evans in Campaign for Mayor of Philadelphia |
Local 1776 President Wendell W. Young, IV and State Rep. Dwight Evans as Young announces the Union's endorsement of Evans in the Democratic primary election campaign for Mayor of Philadelphia. Joined by Shop Rite owner Jeff Brown, Young hailed Evans for his "bold thinking."
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| Labor Marches for Employee Free Choice Act |
The AFL-CIO's James Parker reports on the labor march urging the new Congress to act quickly on the Employee Free Choice Act.
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| Business Week On-Line Assesses Wal-Mart Status |
The Magazine cites slipping sales and badly botched PR efforts.
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| Nobel-Winning Economists Say Boost in Minimum Wage Will Help Economy |
A group of 650 leading economists has issued a statement saying that contrary to the claims of those who oppose an increase in the federal minimum wage, an increase would have little impact on jobs and would help bring some low-income workers out of poverty.
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| Wal-Mart Has Lowest Holiday Sales Growth in Six Years |
Company's poor performance contrasts with WakeUpWal-Mart.com's reaching a new high in supporters -- topping 300,000!
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| WakeUpWalMart.com Calls on Wal-Mart to Renounce New Attack Linking Democrats to Hezbollah Terrorists |
The latest attack from the Wal-Mart War Room linked U.S. Senators to Hezbollah terrorists. WakeUpWalMart.com urged the corporation to sever its ties with such irresponsible fear-mongering tactics. Here is the text of WakeUpWalMart's response.
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| WakeUpWal-Mart.com Bus Tour Stops in Philadelphia |
Two events highlighted the third stop on the national 35-city "Change Wal-Mart, Change America" tour. In front of a standing-room only crowd at the Arch Street Friends Meeting House, leaders of the fastest growing peoples' movement in the nation outlined the progress they have made to enlist more than 250,000 people in the drive to make Wal-Mart a responsible corporate citizen. Then, more than 25 UFCW members and participants in the bus tour blanketed the 15th and Market Sts. area of Center City Philadelphia to handbill and sign up commuters for the drive to win a living wage and health care benefits for Wal-Mart workers.
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| Local 1776 Members Ratify Hanover Contracts |
Three-year pacts provide wage increase and preserve health care benefits; also contain 29 percent increase in company's contribution to pension program.
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| 1776 Leads Fight for Big Win on Minimum Wage! |
As the final hours of the legislative session dwindled away, a coalition of labor and its allies who represent working men and women in Harrisburg won a lengthy battle to increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania for the first time since a federal minimum was adjusted in 1997. Local 1776's officers, members and staff played a key role in the final negotiations. At left, Gov. Ed Rendell signs the historic bill. Looking on are, to his left, State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes; to the Governor's right, State Sen. Christina Tartaglione; and in back of Sen. Tartaglione Local 1776 Secretary-Treasurer Herman Wooden and Director of Political and Legislative Action John Meyerson.
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| Local 1776 Members Ratify Contract with Citterio USA |
Members ratified a three-year deal by a 6-1 margin. The pact protects benefits and provides wage increases. At right, Northeast and Central Divisions Director Michele Kessler briefs Local 1776 members on the contract's details.
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| Berks Heim Members Ratify Contract |
Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776 have voted by a three to one margin to approve a three-year contract with Berks Heim, the Berks County home, Local 1776 officials report.
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| Fight the Wal-Mart Health Care Crisis |
Earlier this year WakeUpWal-Mart.com released a shocking new study entitled "America Pays, Wal-Mart Saves." Among the key findings was that Pennsylvania is one of the five highest states impacted by Wal-Mart's failure to provide adequate health care benefits for its employees -- costing PA taxpayers nearly $60 million in 2005.
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| Local 1776: Who We Are and How We Started |
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 negotiates outstanding benefits such as full medical care, tuition reimbursements and childcare. The Union enforces contracts with employers to ensure that our members are protected and defended from unjust actions.
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President
