Players Fight to Unionize At Northwestern Should Inspire Us All

Transcripción

1

2 FROM THE DESK OF PRESIDENT GEORGE MURPHY Players Fight to Unionize At Northwestern Should Inspire Us All Unionism is at a crossroads today. Arguably, with the growing wealth divide, unions are more important than at any time since the Great Depression. Yet the assault on unions by the wealthy and corporate elites, and by their paidfor political allies, has never been greater. There s a struggle by courageous athletes at Northwestern University that shines a light on the forces at play these days. After a landmark National Labor Relations Board regional director s ruling that allowed scholarship football players to vote on unionization, an election was held among the Northwestern players on April 25. But the results are not yet known, with the ballots impounded pending a ruling on the university s challenge of the vote to the full labor board in Washington. The university has vowed to battle the players right to organize all the way to the Supreme Court, aided of course by the mighty National Collegiate Athletic Assn. (NCAA), which collects literally billions from TV contracts and other sources that it shares with the schools. Like nearly all union drives, this one was never about money at least from the players standpoint. Even though Northwestern, a private school in the Chicago area, is in the football-powerhouse Big Ten Conference, it s known more for its academic reputation than its success on the playing field. Most Northwestern players don t expect to land huge NFL pro contracts or product endorsements. But they put in long practice hours, and risk serious injuries, all for a scholarship worth about $60,000. And their efforts bring the university millions of dollars some $235 million the last 9 years. Why did they seek to unionize? Led by former quarterback Kain Colter, players sought bargaining rights to discuss issues like a reduction in demanding practice hours to devote more attention to school work, and for health insurance to cover injuries both during and after their college careers. Former Notre Dame All-America wide receiver and current major league baseball pitcher Jeff Samardzija summarized it well: A lot of no-name kids have back surgeries Let s draw inspiration from those kids at Northwestern University and join with them to create a new generation of union builders to restore the American middle class. and neck surgeries and hip surgeries. Guys that you don t hear about. With all the money that is being produced it would be nice to see if they did a little bit more to try to help these guys in the long run. Sounds reasonable, right? But the Northwestern players drive was met by strong opposition and the reason, I firmly believe, was the U word. They wanted to be union. (You know the typical rightwing/employer response to that: Unions mean third parties meddling in our affairs. They mean strikes and turmoil. They re a thing of the past.) Are unions still needed today? Well the young athletes at Northwestern and other schools are catching on: they understand that banding together for bargaining rights isn t a thing of the past, it s thing for today and for the future. Are unions still needed? You can draw a graph that shows the gradual decline in union bargaining power the last 20 years precisely matching the reduction in employer-paid health coverage and pensions and the growing chasm between the middle-class and super-rich. Are unions still needed? Look at the work hours, vacations, wages, benefits, and grievance protections in your own contract and ask yourself were we given these things out of the goodness of the employer s heart? And don t we have to fight to keep them every time we bargain? Yes, unions are at a crossroads as the union haters gain political clout and attack us on all fronts. We need to rebuild our movement. Let s draw inspiration from those kids at Northwestern University and join with them to create a new generation of union builders to restore the American middle class. 2 ufcw LOCAL 27 VOICE

3 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Baltimore, MD Volume 6 issue All meetings are held at the Towson American Legion Post #22, Blue Room, 125 York Rd., Towson, Md., between Susquehanna Ave. and Burke Ave. (The driveway to the American Legion Post is located directly next to the entrance to Papa John s.) Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will be held on the following dates: July 16, 2014 October 15, Local 6 Rocky 27 Negotiators Fight to Protect Benefits In a Big Bargaining Year Gap Casino Employees Join Growing Ranks Of Gaming Industry Members SELBYVILLE, DE Note: Our office formerly in Millsboro, DE, has relocated to 3 Mason Drive, Selbyville, DE, Our membership meetings will be held at this new location beginning at 7 p.m. on the following dates: July 22, 2014 October 21, 2014 NEWARK, DE (Note: Meetings are at a new location.) Meetings will be held at the Embassy Suites-Newark, 654 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: July 21, 2014 October 20, Maryland Notice Chartered in 1982 by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, AFL-CIO George Murphy, Jr. President / editor Live! Dealers Cap Organizing Drive With Solid 1st Contract Regarding Member Status Under Union Security Agreements Eric W. Masten Secretary-Treasurer Cumberland, MD All meetings are held at the Western Maryland Central Labor Council, North Mechanic St., Cumberland at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: July 8, 2014 October 7, 2014 Issue 1ST 1, 2014 QUARTER Tim Goins Executive Vice President Vice Presidents Jason Chorpenning Frances Davis Michelle Eubank Jim Freeman Gary Gatewood Donna Gray Bill Hamilton Tom Hipkins Harry Manley, Jr. Keven McAleer Beverly Moyer Fernando Natareno Makeba Smith Dawn Stammer Angela Summers Bernadette Williams Recording Secretary Postmaster Send address changes to UFCW Local 27 Voice, 21 West Road, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, Maryland VOLUME 6 ISSUE EDITORIAL OFFICES UFCW Local 27, 21 West Road, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD (410) WATS: UFCW

4 Meeting the Health Care Challenge Local 27 Fights for Fair Contracts In a Big Bargaining Year LOCAL VOICE A report from Local 27 President George Murphy The past year has been a remarkably busy and challenging collective bargaining season and we are dealing with more of the same in the coming months. While every employer and bargaining unit has its own unique issues and circumstances, each set of talks today is made more complicated by changes and uncertainties related to health benefits under the new Affordable Care Act (ACA). Questions about the impact of the ACA led to the first contract extension in over 20 years in our largest bargaining round last year with Giant and Safeway, covering about 8,000 Local 27 members. The prospect of higher employer costs provoked the employers to take a tough stance in demanding contract concessions. Because of Local 27 members active support of the bargaining team, our union together with UFCW Local 400 in the D.C. area finally reached an agreement fully protecting health coverage as well as retirement security, and providing significant wage Each one of those negotiations presents its own challenges, and each one is vitally important to the members involved and to our local s officers and staff. George Murphy Local 27 President 4 UFCW LOCAL 27 VOICE

5 Giant and Safeway workers leafleted in front of stores in support of a fair settlement increases, which was overwhelmingly ratified in mid- December. The contract was widely considered a model for the retail food industry nationwide. We faced similar issues at Acme and Shop Rite in Delaware and Pennsylvania, where we also were able to protect our benefit packages and improve living standards in new settlements. We also had to fight for our benefits in negotiations at major meat processors on the Eastern Shore (see story page 7) as well at any number of other bargaining units where contracts expired in recent months. As reported on pages 5 and 6, Local 27 is representing a whole new industry in Maryland, casino gambling. Through the outstanding support of members and hard work of all union staff involved in these campaigns, we achieved first contracts at Maryland Live and Rocky Gap casinos and a new settlement at Hollywood Casino that rival any in the country. Yes 2013 was a huge bargaining year in terms of the numbers of members affected, but in fact Local 27 is negotiating for our members every single day of every year and we re at the bargaining table right now with more than two dozen employers. Each one of those negotiations presents its own challenges, and each one is vitally important to the members involved and to our local s officers and staff. And in every case, the one key ingredient to success is always the activism and support of our individual members. Shop Rite members at contract explanation meeting where they overwhelmingly ratified their new settlement. LOCAL VOICE Issue 1,

6 Rocky Gap Casino Resort Employees Win Representation and Strong 1st Pact The more than 400 employees of Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Cumberland, Md., parlayed their successful organizing drive last May into a first contract with solid wage-benefit gains and job protections. VOICE LOCAL Those who had worked for the facility prior to its sale to Lakes Entertainment in 2012 had endured years of wage cuts and freezes. When they got a chance to opt for Local 27 representation just as casino operations were set to open at the newly refurbished resort they flocked to sign up. More than 80 percent of the unit signed authorization cards in just the first five days of the drive, said Jason Chorpenning, Executive Assistant to Local President George Murphy. People in this area have unions in their blood and they know what it means to have bargaining rights. Chorpenning and Local 27 Organizing Director Gary Gatewood led the sign-up effort with assistance from a cadre of union business agents and organizers. The local was certified as bargaining representative following a card count under a neutrality and recognition process negotiated with the state for gaming facilities. The agreement, ratified overwhelmingly last fall, covers all departments at the resort, which includes table gaming and slots, a 200-room hotel, spa services, several dining facilities and a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. The new agreement included a signing bonus and significant wage increases, plus a $3 per day meal allowance and, for all tipped employees, a stipend rate of $9 per hour for all paid time off. An important provision for table game dealers is a tip committee to govern distribution of tips, and agreement to include employees on paid leave in the dealer tip pool. Other highlights of the package include health coverage under the same program provided to management, an employer-matched 401(k) retirement plan, grievance procedure with binding arbitration, seniority and scheduling protections, along with other improvements. The contract runs for six years with a wage and benefit reopener after three years. This agreement lifts the economic and job security of these workers and their families and it s also a big boost for the entire community, Local 27 President George Murphy stated. Murphy cited reports by Allegany County officials that Rocky Gap and its new casino offerings helped spur a jump in tourism in Western Maryland last year, and he noted that the resort is hiring more employees for a new conference facility that it recently unveiled. Rocky Gap organizing activists and their families are shown at a Local 27 Members Appreciation Day cookout. 6 ufcw LOCAL 27 VOICE

7 Maryland Live! shop stewards are shown at their first training session with Local 27 staff at union headquarters. Maryland Live! Dealers Win Pay, Benefit, Security Gains The first contract for Maryland Live! Casino table dealers delivered an array of improvements in pay, benefits, job security and working conditions for the growing unit of approximately 1,000. LOCAL VOICE The agreement was the payoff for a unionization drive a year ago when table gaming was added to the slots and electronic gaming action at Maryland Live! the nation s 3rd largest casino, located at Arundel Mills Mall. Local 27 also represents the 300 electronic gaming employees, who organized last year. The 9-year agreement, with wage and benefit reopeners slated every three years, provided bonuses plus major wage increases for 2014 and 2015 as well as merit raises that could deliver substantial gains based on job evaluations, reported Jason Chorpenning, Executive Assistant to Local President George Murphy. Chorpenning headed the bargaining effort along with members of a rank-and-file committee. The dealers count on pooled tips for a substantial portion of their income, and the new contract established a tips committee to oversee the distribution of tips. Following ratification, the employees voted to allow workers on paid leave to participate in the tip pool. The employees are now covered by the same health benefits plan as management employees and they also have access, along with their dependents, to the casino s onsite health and wellness center, staffed by doctors and nurses who provide a full range of medical services. Other highlights include a 401(k) retirement plan with 50 percent company match, fully paid life insurance and disability benefits, grievance procedure with binding arbitration, a seniority system governing scheduling, job bidding and other job conditions, and more. Most of the table dealers won their jobs after undergoing an intense 12-week training and selection process, which they undertook with no compensation. That tells you a lot about the competition for good jobs in our region and around the country, President Murphy commented. The dealers organized very quickly last spring with the help of a labor peace agreement and a majority card check recognition process that Local 27 Executive Vice President Tim Goins negotiated with the state after voters approved casino gaming in Maryland. Issue 1,

8 Settlements Bring Pay and Benefit Gains To Delaware Processing Employees LOCAL VOICE In addition to a busy bargaining season for retail grocery members at Giant and Safeway as well as ongoing talks for Acme employees on the Eastern Shore staff at Local 27 s Millsboro, Del. office also have handled tough negotiations with several Delaware meat and poultry processors in recent months. Every set of talks was made more challenging because of changes and questions surrounding implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to Local 27 Secretary-Treasurer Eric Masten. However, with the determination and the unwavering support of our membership, we successfully negotiated the following settlements: n Ralph and Paul Adams Inc. (RAPA) of Bridgeville, Del. employs some 30 Local 27 members who produce scrapple and other products. They overwhelmingly ratified a new 5-year agreement that boosts wages by $1.80 per hour over term and provides overall gains in health and welfare benefits as well as contract language improvements. n The approximately 1,000 members at Mountaire Farms of Delmarva in Selbyville, Del., a poultry producer, resoundingly approved a new 5-year agreement calling for wage increases of $1.25 per hour over term along with overall improvements in health and welfare benefits. n At Allen Harim Foods, a poultry producer in Harbeson, Del., the approximately 600 members won a new agreement calling for hourly wage hikes of $1.25 over the 5-year term, overall health and welfare improvements and improved contract language. The employer also agreed to cover the administrative costs of payroll deduction for additional voluntary health coverage. Members ratified the new contract overwhelmingly. n K & H Provision Company Inc. (Kirby and Holloway) of Harrington, Del. produces scrapple and sausage products and employs about 20 Local 27 members. They overwhelmingly approved a new 5-year agreement that raises pay by $1.60 per hour and calls for a substantial stipend in lieu of employer-sponsored health and welfare benefits. The Millsboro, Del. office handles bargaining and daily representation for more than 5,000 Local 27 members altogether. Local 27 Hosts Unionists from Belarus Local 27 officials were pleased to host a visiting group of union leaders from the Republic of Belarus last year, who were in the U.S. for a study of Best Practices of American Trade Unions. After a discussion of how Local 27 operates in the areas of servicing, organizing and collective bargaining, the group visited the Spectera facility in Dundalk, Md., for a tour led by Executive Board Vice President Angela Summers, Business Agent Mike Nelson and a Spectera management team. Shown here with the Belarus delegation are Executive Assistant to the President Tom Hipkins (3rd from left) and retired Executive Vice President Bruce Drasal (2nd from right). 8 ufcw LOCAL 27 VOICE

9 AROUND THE TOWNS RETIREES Maryland Jockey Club: Tammy L. Batt, Michael Cherowitzo, Russell Gilliam, Robert Quietmeyer, James Wilson. IN MEMORIAM Associated Administrators: In honor of our friend Pat Brookhart, Local 27 offers our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Brookhart family and all those at Associated Administrators on their loss. A&P/Super Fresh: Nancy Caraker, Margaret McDaniel, Harry Northcraft, Michael Sharp. Maryland Jockey Club: Joseph Barbour, Elizabeth Berardi, Robert Carres, Arthur Dohler, Irene Ecker, Francis Kelly, David Lyons, Amaryllis Marino, Phyllis Marx, Jean O Conner, Michael Ryan Jr., Janet Saumell, Beverly Westcott, Richard Yarup. Maryland Live Casino: Zina Gross (shown at right). Rosecroft: Harold Duffy Safeway: Ray Frazier, Velma Parks, Linda Powell on the loss of her Mother Willie Hardy-Hill. UFCW Local 27: Patty Gray on the loss of her Father in-law Raymond Carroll Gray. CONGRATULATIONS UFCW Local 27: Dues Representative Chris Greene on her son John Honeycutt s scholarship to Saint Francis University. John, who also works at Giant #2304, was recruited by Saint Francis s Division 1 football program for his outstanding performance as a linebacker at Perry Hall High School (see photo). LOCAL VOICE Theme Park Discount Tickets Once again this year, Local 27 has negotiated discount ticket pricing for members and their families at several popular theme parks around our region. All tickets are available as E-tickets which members may print out from the local s website Please follow this procedure: First, to obtain a discount code, call the local office at and press 0 for operator. Then go to the website for pricing information and have your discount code ready when you order tickets and print them out. Discount tickets are available for these attractions: Six Flags America Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom Dutch Wonderdland Hershey Park Kings Dominion Issue 1,

10 Notice to Employees in UFCW 27 Bargaining Units Who Are Covered By Union Security Agreements Calendar Year 2014 VOICE LOCAL The National Labor Relations Act and the laws in some States permit employers and unions to include in their collective bargaining agreements union security clauses to require employees to become and remain members of the union as a condition of employment. Under federal law, employees may satisfy a union security obligation either by joining a union, with the full rights and benefits of union membership, or, instead, by electing financial core status. Employees who are members of UFCW 27 pay dues on a weekly or monthly basis, and their dues are set by democratic actions of the members. Employees in most UCFW 27 bargaining units who do not become members of UFCW 27 also must support collective bargaining and representation services by routine payment of a financial core fee. The financial core fee excludes expenses that are not related to collective bargaining. Employees who choose not to become members of UFCW 27, but, instead, who elect financial core status, are not entitled to union-member only benefits that are available only to UFCW 27 members. Among the benefits that are available only to UFCW 27 members are: the right to attend and participate in Union meetings; the right to nominate and vote for candidates for Union office; the right to run for Union office; the right to be selected to serve as a Union Shop Steward or as a bargaining committee member; the right to participate in contract ratification and strike votes; and the right to participate in the development of Union policy. Nonmembers also do not enjoy access to discount admission tickets for amusement parks and sporting events and to participate in the Union Privilege Discount Program. The amount of the financial core fee is based on an annual allocation between chargeable and non-chargeable expenses of the Union, and the dues and assessments uniformly required of full members of UFCW 27. Employees who are covered by the Local Union s union security agreements may request a copy of the Union s Independent Auditor s Report on the annual allocation of chargeable and non-chargeable expenses. Employees who decide to be financial core fee payers and object to supporting Union activities that are not related to collective bargaining may choose to disagree with the allocations made by the Union as reflected in the Report. Any dispute about the allocation of expenses or the amount of the financial core free will be determined in a binding arbitration administered under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association, under the Association s Rules for Impartial Determination of Union Fees. Examples of kinds of expenses that may be charged to nonmembers are negotiating, enforcing and administering collective bargaining agreements; meetings between employer and Union representatives; grievance proceedings including arbitration; and Union administration and management. Examples of some expenses that may not be charged to nonmembers are support of political candidates and ballot questions; general community service; lobbying and legislation on measures that are not related to terms and conditions of employment; the affiliation of UFCW 27 with certain other organizations; and members-only benefits. We ask you to carefully consider the decided benefits of full membership in UFCW 27, as opposed to financial core payment, or financial core/beck objector status. From our experience, there is a correspondence between union representation and higher standards of living, and due to the UFCW=s ability to organize companies that are competitors in the market. Non-Union competition that is based on lower wages and substandard working conditions, particularly in the industry in which union represented workers are employed, can harm the standards of living that the Union has worked so hard to establish. We believe that without concerted action, the good jobs and high wages of all union members and employees in our Region would be threatened. The success of union action is supported by the numbers of union members that we can count upon. Organizing and political action mean dollars in your paycheck and makes sense for your future. We lobby government executives and legislators to secure more favorable working conditions, and to support the industries in which our members work. Where there is a union security agreement, when a covered worker chooses not to be a member of UFCW 27, and, instead, selects only financial core status, the worker still is obligated routinely pay fees to support collective bargaining and representation activities of UFCW 27. The next fiscal year for union security administration, based on the reported chargeable amount, shall begin on July 1, The address to contact UFC W 27 for more information about union security rules; for a copy of the Independent Auditor s Report; to elect union membership or financial core status; or file a financial core objection is: Union Security Administrator United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Local West Road Towson, Maryland ufcw LOCAL 27 VOICE

11 Aviso a los Empleados en las Unidades de Negociación de UFCW 27 Que están Cubiertos Por Acuerdos de Seguridad de la Unión Año Fiscal 2014 La Ley Nacional de Relaciones del Trabajo y las leyes en algunos Estados permiten que los empleadores y las uniones incluyan en sus convenios colectivos cláusulas de seguridad de la unión para exigir a los empleados a ser y seguir siendo miembros de la unión como condición de empleo. Bajo la ley federal, los empleados pueden satisfacer la obligación de seguridad de la unión, ya sea por pertenecer a una unión, con todos los derechos y beneficios de la membresía a la unión, o, en cambio, con la elección de estado básico financiero. Los empleados que son miembros de la UFCW 27 pagan cuotas semanal o mensualmente, y sus cuotas son establecidas por las acciones democráticas de los miembros. Los empleados en la mayoría de las unidades de negociación de UFCW 27 que no se convierten en miembros de la UFCW 27 también deben apoyar los servicios de negociación y de representación colectiva mediante el pago de una tasa de cuota financiera. La cuota básica financiera excluye los gastos que no estén relacionados con la negociación colectiva. Los empleados que opten por no ser miembros de la UFCW 27, pero, en cambio, eligen el estado financiero básico, no tienen derecho a los beneficios disponibles sólo para los miembros de la UFCW 27. Entre los beneficios que están disponibles sólo para los miembros de UFCW 27 se encuentran: el derecho a asistir y participar en reuniones de la Unión; el derecho a nominar y votar por los candidatos a cargos de la Unión; el derecho a postularse a cargos de la Unión; el derecho a ser elegido para servir como delegado de la Unión o como miembro del comité de negociación; el derecho a participar en la ratificación del contrato y de los votos de huelga; y el derecho a participar en el desarrollo de la política de la Unión. Los no miembros carecen de acceso a descuento en boletos de admisión para los parques de diversiones, eventos deportivos y participar en el Programa de Descuento Privilegiado de la Unión. El importe de la tasa básica financiera se basa en una asignación anual entre gastos facturables y no facturables de la Unión, así como las cuotas y estimados requeridos uniformente a los miembros en pleno de la UFCW 27. Los empleados que están cubiertos por acuerdos de seguridad de la Unión Local pueden solicitar una copia del informe de los auditores independientes de la Unión sobre la asignación anual de gastos facturables y no facturables. Los empleados que decidan pagar cuotas básicas financieras y objetan apoyar las actividades de la Unión que no estén relacionadas con la negociación colectiva pueden optar por discrepar con las asignaciones hechas por la Unión tal como se refleja en el Informe. Toda controversia acerca de la asignación de gastos o el importe de la cuota básica financiera será determinada en un proceso de arbitraje vinculante administrado bajo las protecciones de la Asociación Americana de Arbitraje, conforme a las Reglas para la Determinación Imparcial de Cuotas de la Unión de la Asociación. Ejemplos de tipos de gastos que se pueden cobrar a los no-miembros son las negociaciones, cumplimiento y administración de los convenios colectivos; reuniones entre el empleador y los representantes de la Unión; procedimientos de quejas incluyendo el arbitraje; y la administración y gestión de la Unión. Ejemplos de algunos gastos que no se pueden cobrar a los no miembros son el apoyo a los candidatos políticos y preguntas del referéndum; servicios generales de la comunidad; el cabildeo y la legislación de medidas que no están relacionadas a los términos y condiciones de empleo; la afiliación de UFCW 27 con algunas otras organizaciones; y los beneficios determinados sólo para los miembros. Le pedimos que considere cuidadosamente los beneficios de ser un miembro en pleno de la UFCW 27, en comparación con el pago de cuota básica financiera, o la condición de objetor básico/beck financiero. En nuestra experiencia, hay una correlación entre la representación de la unión y mejores niveles de vida, y debido a la capacidad de la UFCW para organizar empresas competidoras en el mercado. La competencia sin sindicalización que está basada en salarios bajos y condiciones de trabajo deficientes, sobre todo en la industria en la que los trabajadores representados por la Unión laboran, puede dañar el nivel de vida que la Unión ha trabajado arduamente para establecer. Creemos que sin una acción concertada, los buenos puestos de trabajo y los salarios altos de todos los miembros de la unión y empleados de nuestra Región pueden verse amenazados. El éxito de la acción de la unión se basa en el número de miembros con los que podamos contar. La organización y la acción política significan dólares en su paga y hace sentido para su futuro. Presionamos a los ejecutivos del gobierno y legisladores para asegurar unas condiciones de trabajo más favorables, y para apoyar a las industrias en las que nuestros miembros trabajan. Donde hay un acuerdo de seguridad de la unión, cuando un trabajador cubierto escoge no ser un miembro de la UFCW 27, y, en cambio, sólo selecciona el estado financiero básico, el trabajador sigue obligado a pagar rutinariamente cuotas para apoyar la negociación colectiva y las actividades de representación de la UFCW 27. El próximo año fiscal para la administración de la seguridad de la Unión, basado en la cantidad exigible reportada, comenzará el 1 de julio del La dirección para contactar a la UFCW 27 para obtener más información sobre las reglas de seguridad de la unión; para obtener una copia del Informe del Auditor Independiente; para elegir ser miembro de la unión o el estado básico financiero; o presentar una objeción a un estado básico financiero es: Union Security Administrator United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Local West Road, 2nd Floor Towson, Maryland LOCAL VOICE Issue 1,

12 UFCW Local West Road Baltimore, MD to be part of Local 27 s magazine! Local 27 s Voice is your opportunity to get involved with the local, get to know your officers, brag about your family milestones, tell your tall tales about the fish that got away and show your pride in your workplace. Send us n Your letters to the president n Pictures and information about the birth of your children or grandchildren n Pictures and information about awards or honors you or your immediate family members may have received n Pictures and information about hobbies you engage in n Pictures and information about events/fundraisers/ celebrations occurring at your workplace Submissions to the magazine may BE sent to: UFCW Local 27 Attn: Letters to the Editor 21 West Rd., 2nd Floor Baltimore, MD Please include a contact name and phone number with your submission should we have any questions. Pictures and other submitted information sent through regular mail will not be returned.