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UFCW Local 8's Information Highway.

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Inside Lurker	Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:50 pm
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 99	On a recent conference call some of us here from uncharted discussed the importance for members on information they receive from their local UFCW leaders. Everyone attending the call agreed, with the upcoming Northern California grocery negotiations right around the corner, October 2011, members of the Northern California UFCW locals need to be updated and have the most information as possible so they can make the most educated and best decisions for their working future. It was also agreed that out of all the Northern California UFCW locals, UFCW Local 8 Golden State has to be the most “impaired” when it comes to keeping the members educated and informed. During the conversation the Local 8 members were referred to as... “mushrooms kept in the dark with a little shit thrown on them every now and then for minimal growth”. As disturbing as this quote may be it’s pretty much right on target. Whether it be by design or just plain cockiness and ignorance by the Local 8 leadership the fact remains that most members of Local 8 have very little idea of what their rights are, what information they're entitled to, what their collective bargaining agreement says, or the fiduciary responsibilities of their union officers. This travesty must stop! By way of example here’s a scenario that will lay out UFCW Local 8's utter failure when it comes to keeping the Local 8 members adequately informed: In late April, early May of 2010 Local 8 members received this letter regarding their Red Zone status pension fund . Pretty generic letter considering the importance of the issue like an “under funded pension plan”. Now let us compare the letter that the rest of the Northern California UFCW members received from their local leaders , which by the way you will notice UFCW Local 8 President Jacques Loveall is signed on to. A much more detailed and informative letter to the members of these other locals don't you think? Sure raises the question ...why didn’t the Local 8 members receive the same letter? This type of deception from the leadership of Local 8 is the very reason why a thread like this is necessary. It will be designed to bring any Local 8 member with the desire to be properly informed and educated with issues regarding their local union, the trust fund and the UFCW in general. This thread will be a place where Local 8 members can periodically check in and see what newest “factual information” we’ve been able to dig up to help inform the members of Local 8. The leadership of Local 8 has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the Local 8 members, but in our opinion they’ve completely failed that duty. How many of you members of Local 8 when contacting your union rep regarding contract questions, pension questions, or questions about your health benefits have been told “I don’t know” by your union rep? How many of you have put in calls to your union rep but received no call back? How many of you have been treated rudely by your rep? Do you feel your monthly dues would be better spent elsewhere? Believe us when we say we understand! We find this kind of blatant disregard for members needs 'unacceptable' and have decided to do something to counter act the Local 8 leadership’s incompetence and failure to properly educate the members. That is our goal with this thread, to try and provide information to the members of Local 8 that we believe are being short changed by their current slew of union officers that don’t have the members needs high on their priority list. A labor union is like a chain, it’s only as strong as it’s weakest link and many of us here in Northern California feel UFCW Local 8 GS is that 'weak link'! It’s a sad fact, but what goes on in UFCW Local 8 sets the stage for what happens with all other UFCW locals throughout Northern California, so it benefits each and everyone us if the Local 8 members can become more informed and educated to help strengthen that weak link. We will do our best to keep this thread updated with information that may benefit the members of Local 8 or any other UFCW members that may find the information helpful. We also ask anyone with pertinent information that they would like posted to please send to the uncharted.ca administrators at administrators@uncharted.ca with a request to post. In closing here is a recent pension update that we're quite certain members of UFCW Local 8 have not received or seen yet. We ask any member of Local 8 that finds the following information to be valuable to please print and get into your workplaces and then pass the word on about UFCW Local 8's Information Highway ed=linkfix
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Inside Lurker	Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:20 am
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 99	For any Local 8 member who would like to see where your dues money is going or how much your union rep makes Click here then put this number 043-536 in box that says "file number" then click "submit" These are called LM2 reports and your union must file them with the U.S. Department of Labor every year. For example below is an easy link for year 2008 UFCW Local 8 GS LM2 for year 2008 http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1350838/i/ufcw8-08.pdf
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unionnow	Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:41 pm
Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 658 Location: Gettin the Hell out of retail	Both letters appear very similar to me in a quick reading. They both peddle the same BS absolving themselves of any blame. I remember when they sent out the letters and the press releases for the suspension of contributions. They patted themselves on the back so hard they shit and fell back in it. Both big unions peddle the same BS and tap dance around everything. The third letter is interesting. By signing onto the agreement does that mean we need to vote on it? The rehabilitation plan is effective only until the next contract negotiations. By law they have to follow through with a plan. Remember, the law was brought to you by the same people that allowed the underfunding of your plans since 1983. We used to call it the corporate raider investment and cash out act. If anyone thinks that things are going to stay the same wage and pension wise going forward they are going to be sadly mistaken. By law they have to protect those earned benefits. At what rate the future accruals will be and for how long they will remain in place remains to be seen. The Devil is in the details. Lets see the details, we have already seen the Devil. _________________ “The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1-2)
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SFway	Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:48 am
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 573	Unionnow, If you can dig out from the archives any of these old "suspended contributions" letters, they would be a valuable addition to this thread. Pretty please..!!
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Inside Lurker	Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:12 pm
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 99	UFCW Local 8 members here’s a bit of information you may be interested in. UFCW Local 5 has multiple business meeting for members. Being that the bay area and Local 5's jurisdiction covers so many cities and areas they conveniently provide and advertise on their website the dates, time and place of each meeting. In retrospect looking at UFCW Local 8's website we would challenge anyone to find a membership business meeting information link or page 'informing' members of meetings. Which raises a big question for some of us! Why would a UFCW local(with nothing to hide) the size of Local 8 not have an easy access link or page on their website informing members of meetings? Members of Local 8 have also infomed us that the only 'business meeting' that is held that members may attend are in South Sacramento at the Bakers & Painters Union Hall at 7125 Governors Circle. A Local this size and only one scheduled meeting date and location? Anyone besides us find this odd?
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SharynS	Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:42 pm
Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 2883 Location: the 'puter	Alright I give up, a link to business meetings is obviously hidden very very well. Not so much odd as predictable. The last thing these ufcw vulture dudes want is people showing up asking questions. Perhaps a wise move. _________________ Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie
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John Briley	Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:43 pm
Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 616	Quote: Locations UFCW 8-Golden State Headquarters 2200 Professional Drive Roseville, CA 95661 Phone: (916) 786-0588 Fax: (916) 786-0958 First and foremost, the Roseville office, 2200 Professional Drive, is your Union headquarters where you can come in for all of your membership service needs. American workers are increasingly pressed for time. UFCW 8-Golden State offers members the opportunity to save hours of time by consolidating important services in its headquarters, home of four major union providers. Members can take care of financial business at the California Community Credit Union, health claims and benefit questions at the UFCW 8-Golden State Health & Welfare Trust Fund office, and see a dentist or optometrist all in one location. For more information, visit our Benefits Center under Member Resources. Benicia Office 1090 Adams Street, Suite D Benicia, CA 94510 Phone: (707) 745-0588 Fax: (707) 745-1298 {Get Map} Chico Office Philadelphia Square, 20 Constitution Drive, Suite C Chico, CA 95973 Phone: (530) 895-0017 Fax: (530) 895-1702 {Get Map} Fresno Shaw Office 3485 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite 101 Fresno, CA 93711-3212 Phone: (559) 271-1288 Fax: (559) 276-2150 {Get Map} Modesto Office 2007 Yosemite Boulevard Modesto, CA 95354 Phone: (209) 529-0596 Fax: (209) 529-9571 {Get Map} Redding Office 3400 Bechelli Lane, Suite C Redding, CA 96002 Phone: (530) 222-3905 Fax: (530) 222-3973 {Get Map} Santa Rosa Office 940 Hopper Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Phone: (707) 546-1384 Fax: (707) 546-4806 {Get Map} Bakersfield Office 900 Airport Dr Bakersfield, CA 93308 Phone: (661) 391-5770 Fax: (661) 391-5777 {Get Map} Fresno (Winery/Wholesale) Office 2918 N West Ave Fresno, CA 93705 Phone: (559) 226-5045 Fax: (559) 226-6136 IL wrote: Quote: A Local this size and only one scheduled meeting date and location? Anyone besides us find this odd? Absolutely IL,.......!!!!! With the size of UFCW Local 8, at the very least, Local 8 could and should conduct Membership Meetings within the cities of their above mentioned office locations found on Local 8's website: http://ufcw8.org/?zone=/unionactive/office_locations.cfm With an "alleged membership" of 30,000 members, it is unconscienable for Local 8 not to provide numerous Membership Meetings throughout their huge jurisdiction! By way of an example, @ former UFCW Local 839 we had an approx. membership of 3,000 members. Our jurisdiciton consisted of Monterey County, Santa Cruz County & San Benito County. Our membership meetings were held quarterly. We conducted our membership meetings in the AM & PM in Salinas, Monterey & Santa Cruz. For UFCW Local Unions, especially Large Local Unions, like UFCW Local 8, to only have one (1) Membership Meeting, reflects one of the many examples / reasons why the UFCW has deteriorated over the years!!!! Again, by way of another example, take the time to review Article 33 (Local Union Membership Meetings) found on page 24 of the UFCW I.U. Constitution. As amended and revised @ the 6th Regular Convention 2008. Another prime example wherein the UFCW I.U. Constitution continues to allow for Bad Behavior from their Local Unions, by providing them with the "cover" / "protection" regarding the scheduling of their Local Union Membership Meetings.
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unionnow	Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:48 am
Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 658 Location: Gettin the Hell out of retail	Quote: If you can dig out from the archives any of these old "suspended contributions" letters, they would be a valuable addition to this thread. Everything was sent up the chimney. Not so good for global warming but very good for the soul. _________________ “The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1-2)
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Laboryes	Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 9:44 pm
Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 1959	First off Lurker let me thank you for the thread! As a member of Local 8 I can assure you much of the info you have posted I have not seen. Second I thought this might be a good thread for a little Local 8 memory lane..... UFCW Local 8 Memory Lane And remember Local 8 members... SOLIDARITY WORKS _________________ "When people refuse to obey, then democracy comes alive." Howard Zinn
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Inside Lurker	Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 3:53 am
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 99	FYI Local 8 members, it looks like your dues money has been very good to Local 8 employee & Executive Board member Joe Ciotti. It appears he’s been able to open his own winery. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4646386&id=235946293579&ref=fbx_album#!/album.php?aid=137313&id=235946293579 We would imagine that running a winery takes up much of ones time and energy? Doesn't leave much time for union business we suspect? See more on Ciotti Cellars
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Laboryes	Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 3:43 pm
Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 1959	Nice find Lurker!!!! Oh will members flip when they get wind of this! I can see a possible picket and boycott of “Ciotti Cellars” in the near future! Wouldn’t it be cool to drum up a bunch of 588/ 8 members that have been “sold out” by Ciotti during his rep days and now his grievance director days. It would be a nice pay back for all those dues paying members that were unjustly sold out by the very person who was being paid to represent them! Hell, I even bet MTM would want to get in on a little of that action! Thanks for the post Lurker!!! _________________ "When people refuse to obey, then democracy comes alive." Howard Zinn
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GRUMPY	Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:07 am
Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 197	WOW ! Good to see that the money of hard working people in the UFCW 8 is helping our officers live out their dreams. I am sure that a union official is not useing illegal immigrant help to keep his business running. What is union scale for farm workers these days ? Sure looks as though the economey is hurting, right ? Oh yea, I forgot, it only effects the middle class, not the big shots that have been getting raise's every contract. Am I jealous Joe ? I guess a little. Not because of your success, but because you knew how to this better than the rest of us. I wish you nothing but the best.
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unionnow	Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:47 am
Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 658 Location: Gettin the Hell out of retail	Is the winery union? Maybe he should join UFCW Local 5's agricultural division. Flipping pigs, its a full time job to run a winery. _________________ “The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1-2)
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SFway	Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 4:18 am
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 573	...and will said winery wholesale to such retailers as Safeway,, etc. Give me a bottle of the "Conflict of Interest Merlot", 2010 vintage, please.
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unionnow	Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:11 pm
Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 658 Location: Gettin the Hell out of retail	One good thing is he went into the winery business at the wrong time. All of his investment was at the top of the market. He cant be doing that well, wineries are getting killed right now, especially the small ones. Our unusually cool summer cant be helping him much either. After all, as a full time business man, a full time UFCW local 8 union staffer and a trustee on our pension fund he can afford the time to make such wise business decisions. _________________ “The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1-2)
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