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2009 - 2010 |
The United Food and Commercial Workers represent approximately 45,000 workers in Michigan. Our members work in grocery stores, food processing plants, drug stores, nursing homes, barber shops, and automotive parts plants. UFCW International Union has over 1.4 million members, and is the nation’s largest private sector union. UFCW is also the nation’s youngest union, as 40 percent of our members are under the age of 30.
Item Pricing / Scanner Law – Michigan’s scanner law protects consumers by mandating that most items in a store are marked with a clearly visible price sticker to protect consumers from overcharges as a result of computer scanner error. The law also rewards consumers when such overcharges occur. This law is popular among all consumers- especially those seniors and shoppers on a fixed income. Another advantage to this law is that it’s enforced entirely by consumers, at no cost to taxpayers.
UFCW strongly supports this law and opposes any legislation that weakens it. Furthermore, UFCW believes that Michigan’s item pricing law should be strengthened. UFCW supports increased penalties for overcharges and lack of pricing, as well as adjusting the law so county and local prosecutors can collect fines when enforcing the law.
Collective Bargaining/Worker Rights – The UFCW believes in strengthening collective bargaining and organizing rights. Furthermore, UFCW opposes any and all “work for less” or “paycheck protection” proposals. Strong laws protecting collective bargaining, do not only protect union members, but strongly improve the quality of life for all workers.
UFCW also supports the “Worker Freedom Act,” where employers cannot force workers to attend meetings in regards to their personal beliefs on issues such as politics, religion, and organized labor. This act should also ban employers from firing, or disciplining workers who refuse to attend said meetings.
Underemployment Parity, Unemployment Reform – Given the state of Michigan’s economy, and the nature of the retail food industry, we advocate changes to our unemployment system. UFCW believes the maximum weekly benefit level should be increased by $104 and should be set at 58 percent of the state average weekly wage. Furthermore, benefits should be available to striking workers.
UFCW also believes that workers should not be punished as they currently are, when collecting underemployment benefits rather than unemployment. Currently, workers seeking this benefit for partial lost time can only collect for 26 weeks, even though they are looking to collect a fraction of their weekly benefit level. UFCW encourages unemployment reform where one can collect underemployment to a limit set by their full, weekly maximum benefit level, multiplied by the maximum number of weeks allowed.
Wal-Mart – Wal-Mart is the nation’s largest retailer, earning billions of dollars in profits each quarter. Despite this, Wal-Mart’s expansion often comes at the expense of taxpayers, as the retailer routinely looks to state governments to subsidize their expansion. While UFCW understands the importance of tax breaks to attract employers, the location of new retail distribution centers are often determined by the market, not subsidies. With a record of low wages, an inaccessible health care plan, and poor working conditions, UFCW believes the State should not reward Wal-Mart’s poor corporate citizenship on any level- whether it comes in the form of tax breaks or subsidies for any store or distribution center.
EBT/Food Stamp Distribution –Currently, UFCW members in stores that have a high concentration of EBT users are often overworked during the first two weeks of the month, then see their hours cut towards the end of the month. Because of this issue, Michigan became the first state in the nation to pass a bill allowing for two distributions of Food Stamp Benefits- however before this could be enacted, Congress passed a law forbidding Michigan from going forward with this idea. UFCW supports any legislation or any other action that will encourage Congress to allow Michigan to establish a pilot program for two, monthly distributions of food stamps.
Illegal Immigration – UFCW believes in an immigration policy that protects all current workers, and punishes employers for hiring undocumented workers. Oftentimes, employers knowingly hire illegal immigrants to work dangerous jobs- then when accidents occur, employers avoid paying for benefits such as Workers Compensation, disability insurance and other benefits. With Michigan’s high unemployment we believe in an immigration policy that first protects and employs Michigan workers- as there is no such thing as a job Michiganders don’t want just wages and benefits employers do not want to pay.
Quality Economic Growth- In order to maintain a strong retail food industry, UFCW understands and supports the need for economic growth. Furthermore, UFCW strongly supports legislation that would lead to quality, good-paying jobs.
Other Worker Benefits – The UFCW believes in laws that strengthen and protect worker benefits such as overtime, Workers Compensation, workers’ disability insurance, and MIOSHA standards. We oppose any legislation that would weaken these and other benefits. Furthermore, we support indexing the state minimum wage to inflation.
Voting Rights – With members working at all hours of the day and night, coupled with the high percentage of young members, UFCW supports proposals that would allow same-day voter registration and no-reason absentee voting.
This is a summary of issues important to UFCW, though this list is not inclusive of all of our issues. If you have any questions, you can reach UFCW’s Legislative Director, Chris Michalakis, at 248-217-1657 or email him at chris.michalakis@ufcw876.org
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