Rosalyn Hackworth

Secretary-Treasurer

Secretary -Treasurer's Message

Answer the call

of our union sisters and brothers

It’s no secret that we have a fantastic new master food agreement. Our contract is solid, our health care is better than most in the country and our wages are higher.

Time to kick back and celebrate, right?

Wrong.

Just because many of us have new contracts, it doesn’t mean we’re back to business as usual. Our union sisters and brothers throughout the state are fighting similar battles as you read these words, some of them here in San Diego.

For example, UFCW Local 135 recently conducted informational picketing at the only non-union Rite Aid pharmacy in the area (4455 Manchester Ave. in Encinitas). But it wasn’t just Rite Aid members and union staff walking the line. Vons members arrived and marched with their fellow UFCW members in the retail drug industry.

The Food & Drug Council sent its big-rig truck, named “Double Trouble,” down from Los Angeles to show that 250,000 affiliated union members throughout California support UFCW Local 135. And union members from around the city attended the demonstration to show their pride and passion for the union way of life.

As union members, any labor conflict nationwide is also our conflict, whether or not it involves our own industry or bargaining unit.

Solidarity keeps us strong

Just as the Teamsters, teachers and other unions supported us during the strike and lockouts of 2003-04 and during our most recent negotiations, we must give our support to them and any other union that needs our help. Their solidarity kept us strong in our darkest hours and it is our duty and our privilege to return the favor.

That mutual support can make a big difference. For example, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union recently won a major breakthrough in its drive to organize a viciously anti-union Rite Aid distribution center north of Los Angeles (do you see a pattern developing with Rite Aid?).

After several years of being held back by the employers’ scare tactics, the ILWU enlisted the help of the UFCW, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Union of Operating Engineers (under the banner of the Food & Drug Council). Together, they rallied enough support to finally hold an NLRB election.

The fight is far from over, but thanks to the solidarity of the California Labor Movement, workers at the distribution center can have the union represent them in contract talks.  As we enjoy the raises and enhanced benefits of our new master food contract, let’s remember the people who stood with us when times were tough.