UFCW Weekender 1-16-09

[Omaha Steve]

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

* Hundreds Of Union Members To March In 56th Inaugural Parade

For the first time in living memory, members of America’s labor movement have been asked to march in the official Inaugural Parade. Representing America’s workers will be 265 union members from the UFCW and other labor unions, along with a 17-by-24 foot float built entirely by union workers. The float will feature the “faces of labor” — a tribute every hard-working man and woman who gets up every day and goes to work.
* Price Rite Worker Speaks Out on the Need for Employee Free Choice

On Tuesday, PriceRite worker Joe Sorrentino spoke out about the need for Employee Free Choice at a press briefing held at the National Press Club. Representatives from the UFCW, as well as the nation’s top workers’ rights groups, labor experts, and progressive leaders laid out the case for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.
*

A Voice at Work in Utah

Hyrum, Utah -This past November, more than 1,000 workers at the JBS/Swift plant in Hyrum, Utah voted overwhelmingly to join with their brothers and sisters in UFCW Local 711, and stand together for a voice at work. This Tuesday, they got their first experience of what exactly that means, as they sat down with management to negotiate a first contract.
*

Passage of US Employee Free Choice Act is Key to Global Organizing

UNI Global Union - “For too long, the US has led the race to the bottom on labour rights,” said UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings at a meeting on Tuesday with leaders of US unions affiliated to both Change to Win and the AFL-CIO. “Passing would be a major victory for US workers and, in the midst of this global recession, it is more important than ever.”
* This Miracle Brought to You by America's Labor Unions

Emptywheel.com - They're calling it a miracle--the successful landing of a US Airways jet in the Hudson and subsequent rescue of all 155 passengers. They're detailing the heroism of all involved, starting with the pilot and including cabin crew, ferry crews, and first responders. What they're not telling you is that just about every single one of these heros is a union member.

This Week's Video

In support of the Employee Free Choice Act, American Rights at Work has rolled out two awesome new TV ads. They’ll be airing on stations across the country.

To watch the videos, go to: http://www.changetowin.org/connect/2009/01/taking_to_the_airwaves_for_emp.html


UFCW Scholarship Now Available

Each year the UFCW awards several scholarships of up to $8,000 each to UFCW members or their unmarried dependents. This year's scholarship application is now available. For deadline information and further details, go to:


http://www.ufcw.org/scholarship/