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Steve Lomax - President |
UFCW has worked hard for years
to educate our members and the general public about
Wal-Mart and other companies that pose a threat our
standard of living and to our neighborhoods. We are
making some headway against this corporate giant.
It’s been tough to communicate the truth when
Wal-Mart continues to fund million-dollar ad
campaigns.
I often wonder what the public thinks when they
see Wal-Mart’s smiling faces on TV, What do you
think, as a union member? I wonder whether the
public believes the isolated example of one family
saying on TV that their son’s life was saved by
Wal-Mart contributions. Do viewers know, for
example, that in 2002 in Georgia 10,000 children
from Wal-Mart families relied on PeachCare for their
medical care?
Are
members of the public willing to look beyond the
smiling faces?
Are they willing to read the facts and listen to
those who cite the truth instead of some pretty ad
campaign?
Wal-Mart is now the subject of the largest
discrimination suit in history. Will seekers of the
truth pay attention to the claims of over a million
women whose pay and promotional status have been
harmed by Wal-Mart? Or will union members-- and
members of the public-- be fooled by the few
examples of women and minorities who have been
promoted in Wal-Mart, and who appear with smiling
faces on our television screens.
Negotiations--No Time for Smiling Faces
During contract negotiations it’s important for you
to look beyond the smiling faces and search out the
facts. When your contract is scheduled to expire, we
hold meetings for you to express yourself on
contract improvements. We try to communicate the
importance of the political climate in our ability
to negotiate a good contract for you. You help
select your negotiating team--workers just like you.
Just like them, you have hopes and dreams for your
family’s income, health insurance, pension, and
other benefits.
In preparation for all contract negotiations,
including the Kroger contract, we ask that our
members not be fooled by smiling faces. Express
to management your support for our negotiating team.
Stay in touch with your leadership, especially Shop
Stewards and Union Representatives.
We pledge to do our best to keep you informed
as contract talks proceed. I have initiated a new
email update system that is for Stewards and others
who want frequent updates on the progress of
negotiations.
We ask that you do your part. Don’t spread
rumors. Search out the facts. Attend meetings when
they are called. Let us know when misinformation is
being spread at your workplace. We can help you to
share the facts with your co-workers.
In Kroger and all negotiated contracts, we
will work hard to improve your wages and benefits,
and to provide protections for you and your family.
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