March-April 2010
Congress passes
comprehensive
health care reform See
page 13
for the
facts
UFCW LegiSLative ConFerenCe • SUperhero member • tax SyStem FairneSS
99RePoRT TAbLe oF CoNTeNTS
3 presiDent’s report
Jim McLaughlin
4 inDustrY news
5 seCretarY-treasurer’s report
Paul Rubin
6-7 ufCw legislative ConferenCe
8-9 members at work
10 You anD Your union
11 DisCounts for speCial events
12 HealtH & wellness: aCtivitY for life
13 HealtH Care reform law HigHligHts
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oCal 99
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The 1984 Arizona Copper Miners Strike
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2 99RePoRT • A voiCe FoR The WoRkiNG FAMiLieS oF ARiZoNA
PReSiDeNT’S RePoRT
our new health care law
makes sense in many ways
y
by JiM MCLAuGhLiN PReSiDeNT, uFCW LoCAL 99, AND uFCW iNTeRNATioNAL viCe PReSiDeNT
Y
ears ago, the state of need to buy insurance.) cost of auto insurance.
Arizona passed a law say- having more people who buy As a result of our new federal
ing that all drivers must into the health insurance system will law, more than 30 million
carry a certain amount of hold down the costs of insurance Americans who did not have health
auto insurance on their cars. premiums. There is strength in num- insurance before will soon be cov-
There was an uproar at the time bers. ered.
from some people who said the gov- The law includes ways for people how does this affect the members
ernment shouldn’t be allowed to do who have low incomes to get of uFCW Local 99? For one thing,
this. They said they should be free affordable health insurance. it strengthens our health benefits
to drive without having to buy The law also provides new trust fund. This fund, which pays for
insurance — in other words, they opportunities for Americans to our health care, has been paying
had a right to be irresponsible. higher fees to doctors and hospitals
Fortunately, the law was allowed because they are forced to care for
h
to remain on the books, and now eALTh people who don’t have health insur-
auto insurance rates are relatively ance. Now that almost everyone will
low and affordable in our state. CARe iS A have health insurance, our trust fund
That’s because many more people will only have to pay the actual
who pay automobile premiums now
RiGhT ThAT costs of caring for our members.
share the costs of insurance claims ALL AMeRiCANS The new health care reform law
that are paid out. i’m paying the isn’t perfect, but it makes sense in
same automobile insurance rates as i DeSeRve To ShARe. many ways. it will help control
was years ago. costs and make health insurance
it’s not exactly the same thing, affordable.
but this is the idea behind the “man- enroll in Medicare or get financial it’s all about helping people take
date” of the newly-passed national help if they need it to buy health care of themselves and others.
health reform law. insurance. i, as do most Americans, want
The law requires all Americans highlights of the law are our children to grow up in a country
to have health insurance, either explained on page 13. that provides for its citizens. Passing
through a private insurance com- this bill into law is a step in the
pany, an employer-paid plan or Driving down costs right direction.
through a government program All of these changes will con- health care should not be for a
like Medicare. (The members of tribute to driving down the costs privileged few. health care is a right
uFCW Local 99 already have an of health insurance, just as that all Americans deserve to
excellent health plan, so you won’t Arizona’s law has driven down the share.
MARCh-APRiL 2010 3
iNDuSTRy NeWS
supermarket news’
Colorado lowers ToP FooD ReTAiLeRS
minimum wage AND WhoLeSALeRS by SALeS
(CoMPANieS DoiNG buSiNeSS iN ARiZoNA)
b
1. Walmart 21. Trader Joes
eginning Jan. 1, Colorado reduced its min- 2. Kroger 22. Whole Foods
imum wage to reflect a falling cost of liv- 3. Costco 32. Albertsons LLC
ing. it is one of 10 states in the country 5. Safeway 58. Bashas’
where the minimum wage is tied to infla- 11. 7-Eleven
tion.
The indexing provision was designed to protect
low-wage workers from having flat wages as the
cost of living rises. but because Colorado’s law ALbeRTSoNS LLC ATTeMPTS To buy bAShAS’
A
allows wage declines, the minimum wage will drop lbertsons LLC is reported to have offered $260-$290
whenever the consumer price index moves down- million to buy bashas’ Supermarkets. bashas’ has
ward. been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy since July 2009, try-
The index fell 0.6 percent between the middle of ing to re-organize to stay in business.
2008 and the middle of 2009, mostly because of bashas’ has rejected Albertsons LLC’s offer, but the bank-
falling fuel prices. ruptcy court could decide otherwise.
The minimum wage is reduced to $7.24 from bashas’ operates 129 stores under the bashas’, AJs and
$7.28. however, since the federal minimum wage Food City banners. Albertsons LLC operates the 43
is $7.25, most workers affected would lose only 3 Albertsons stores in Arizona, as well as stores in Colorado,
cents an hour. New Mexico, Texas and Florida.
No other state has lowered its minimum wage
since the federal minimum wage law was passed in
1938.
Although other states, including Arizona,
2010 General Membership Meetings
Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, oregon, pHoenix tuCson
vermont and Washington, have adjustable mini- June 8 June 15
mum wages and have seen their consumer price september 14 september 21
indexes fall, they have no plans to lower their stan- DeCember 14 DeCember 21
dards.
in 2006, Colorado voters approved a referendum Time: 7 p.m. Time: 7 p.m.
that mandates an adjustable minimum wage. Place: UFCW Conference Center Place: UFCW Office
Proponents said they never intended to see the 2401 N. Central Ave. 877 S. Alvernon
wage rate go down. They say that employers of the First Floor
estimated 50,000 to 70,000 workers in Colorado
who make minimum wage are free to leave wages
flat and hope they will.
loCal 99 grievanCe settlements
editors note: the reduction in colorado’s mini-
mum wage is small but significant for workers who STATiSTiCS ThRouGh FebRuARy 2010
are struggling to make a living. People who make
minimum wages are already earning less than they
GRievANCeS FiLeD 224
need to survive. any reduction is unconscionable. GRievANCeS SeTTLeD 169
this development threatens to lower community MoNey CoLLeCTeD $1,861
standards and harm the overall economy. (iNCLuDeS PAyMeNTS To heALTh iNSuRANCe FuND)
— JiM MCLAuGhLiN ReiNSTATeMeNTS 7
4 99RePoRT • A voiCe FoR The WoRkiNG FAMiLieS oF ARiZoNA
SeCReTARy-TReASuReR’S RePoRT
Restoring fairness
to the tax system
L
by PAuL RubiN SeCReTARy-TReASuReR, uFCW LoCAL 99
L
ast issue, i wrote about the often portrayed as an idyllic period, a wealth and power were able to dra-
need for government as a time of strong families, good schools matically change the tax structure.
crucial part of any civilized and safe neighborhoods. Some of obviously, with the wealthy pay-
nation. these are myths, some are more real. ing less, someone had to pick up the
The purpose of government, as but the tax burden was vastly fairer slack.
outlined in our Constitution, is to back then. Millionaires and corpora- yep, that means you and me. it
defend the citizenry, to promote tran- tions paid much higher percentages hasn’t been as noticeable when our
quility and to ensure the general of taxes than they do today. The rest economy is doing well, even when a
wellbeing of all. Government pro- of us paid about the same percent- recession lasts for a year or so. but
vides the military, schools, courts, ages then as we do now. that is not the case now. We are in
highways, etc., etc., etc. for hard times for an unforeseeable
W
We pay for these necessities future. housing prices aren’t going
through taxes. yet there has been a up any time soon and unemployment
great cry out among many hy RAiSe TAxeS isn’t coming down any time soon.
Americans of late against taxes. The oN uS, The our government, whether federal,
Tea Party movement is currently the LeAST AbLe To state or local, is hurting big time.
largest and best-known among these Revenues are way down and addi-
protest groups. PAy MoRe? Why NoT RAiSe tional monies are needed. but why
it is quite understandable why The TAxeS oN ThoSe Who raise taxes on us, the least able to
many Americans are not happy CAN beST AFFoRD iT? pay more? Why not raise the taxes
about paying taxes. People are strug- on those who can best afford it and
gling in this economic recession and who have prospered the most?
increasing taxes would make their Does it make any sense that today Won’t happen? Well, not without
lives even tougher. wages earned are taxed at a higher a fight. The citizens of oregon just
but i think the question shouldn’t rate than capital gains, for which no did it — raised taxes, via the initia-
be whether we should pay more one actually performs any work and tive process, on the wealthy.
taxes or less. in fact, we should be are mainly the domain of the but why won’t our leaders in
asking two very different questions: wealthy? government take the lead?
1) Are taxes being paid fairly? unfortunately, over the last 40 here’s part of an answer. you
2) What are we getting for our years tax fairness has disappeared. might have seen the story recently
taxes? As corporations gained power (and that Wall Street is angry with the
worked to weaken unions), and as obama Administration for proposing
Who iS PAyiNG WhAT? wealth was transferred to a shrinking some (very modest) restrictions on
in popular culture, the 1950s is minority at the top, those with CoNTiNueD oN PAGe 6
MARCh-APRiL 2010 5
uFCW LeGiSLATive CoNFeReNCe
union leaders lobby repre
i
i
n the days leading up to the historic vote on
March 21 to reform America’s health care
system, uFCW leaders lobbied legislators in
Washington, D.C., urging them to vote for the
legislation.
Local 99 President Jim McLaughlin,
Political Director Stan Chavira and organizer
Laura Dent, who were in the nation’s capital
to participate in the uFCW’s Legislative and Political
Action Conference, performed an important role in the
lobbying effort.
They spent most of their time in Washington meeting
with members of Congress, encouraging them to vote for
health care reform.
“Sunday, the u.S. house of Representatives passed
uFCW iNTeRNATioNAL PReSiDeNT Joe hANSeN
health care reforms that will better serve all Americans,”
uFCW international President Joe hansen said in a state- tive conference with a rousing call for action.
ment released after the vote. “We need you to encourage members of Congress to
u.S. Secretary of Labor hilda Solis opened the legisla- vote for health care reform,” she said. “We need you to
SeCReTARy-TReASuReR’S RePoRT
CoNTiNueD FRoM PAGe 5
and public transportation are in an vehicle offices?
the big banks who put us in this eco-
embarrassing state. our health care Why do the police and fire depart-
nomic predicament. So what is Wall
system is the most expensive in the ments have to fight the city workers
Street’s response?
world by half again, yet we are ranked who have to fight the social service
The banks and other finance institu-
36th in the world in having a healthy agencies for the leftovers?
tions stated that they were shifting
population. The solution is not tax cuts. The
their financial contributions to the
We’ve been fighting wars in iraq solution is not less government (which
Republicans because they are not
and Afghanistan, yet we sent our sol- really means fewer services for us).
going to get “kicked around” anymore
diers into battle without appropriate Nor is the solution higher taxes for
by the Democrats.
trucks or armor. Fewer and fewer peo- those who work for a living.
in other words, when they pay their
ple can afford college, even our public The solution is for those who make
politicians, they expect to be rewarded,
universities. more to pay more. The solution is to
and if you’re “kicking” them around,
There is plenty of money to bail out not allow the rich to buy the politicians
they’ll take their money elsewhere —
the banks (with no strings attached!), (it is estimated that to run for Senate in
to the other political party.
but pittances are offered to help people Arizona you need at least $12 million
ARe We GeTTiNG ouR MoNey’S WoRTh? who can’t pay their mortgages. – and guess who has that kind of
you don’t need to be a master of They have us fighting among money?), so that government spending
observation to know that we are get- ourselves for the crumbs. Why, in goes to the people.
ting snookered. the wealthiest country in the world, Remember that saying — a govern-
our infrastructure is wasting away do we have to close our highway ment by the people and for the people?
— our roads, bridges, school buildings rest stops, our state parks, our motor it doesn’t have to be a dream.
6 99RePoRT • A voiCe FoR The WoRkiNG FAMiLieS oF ARiZoNA
uFCW LeGiSLATive CoNFeReNCe
esentatives on capitol Hill
implore them to pass the employee Free Choice Act. you
are the voice of working America!”
The delegates also heard from Department of health and
human Services Secretary kathleen Sebelius, Speaker of
the house Nancy Pelosi, u.S. Rep. Phil hare (D-ill.), u.S.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-ill.), u.S. Sen. Robert Menendez
(D-N.J.) and Democratic National Committee Chair Tim
kaine, among other speakers.
“Due to the efforts of
the people of the uFCW,
health care reform is with-
in our reach,” Sebelius
said.
“We need to change the
insurance rules so insur-
ance companies can not SPeAkeR oF The houSe NANCy PeLoSi
choose who gets health leaving the legislature till we get it done.”
care and who doesn’t.” house Speaker Pelosi congratulated the uFCW for its
Rep. hare said the pen- recent organizing victory at Smithfield Foods Co.
ding health care vote would “unions focus on creating jobs and that is the number one
be the culmination of a pursuit of this Congress,” she said.
hundred-year struggle on Pelosi said that, after passage of health care legislation,
Capitol hill. Congress should focus on enacting immigration reform
“People have been fil- and the employee Free Choice Act.
SeCReTARy oF LAboR hiLDA SoLiS
ing for bankruptcy be- “health care is a right, not a privilege, and so is the
cause of health care costs,” hare said. “That is not right. choice to join a union if workers want a union,” Pelosi
We have a moral imperative to pass this bill and i ain’t said. “That’s why we need the eFCA.”
LoCAL 99 DeLeGATeS MeeT WiTh Roy heRReRA, ASSiSTANT FoR u.S. ReP. eD PASToR
LoCAL 99 DeLeGATeS MeeT WiTh u.S. ReP. RAuL GRiJALvA (D-ARiZ.). (D-ARiZ.)
MARCh-APRiL 2010 7
MeMbeRS AT WoRk
Membe
the u
STRO
8 99RePoRT • A voiCe FoR The WoRkiNG FAMiLieS oF ARiZoNA
MeMbeRS AT WoRk
ers make
union
ONG!
MARCh-APRiL 2010 9
you & youR uNioN
‘What does my union do for me?’
y
by JiM MCLAuGhLiN PReSiDeNT, uFCW LoCAL 99, AND uFCW iNTeRNATioNAL viCe PReSiDeNT
y
ou have protection in the employer wouldn’t have to provide said that without her union-negotiated
event you are unfairly fired you with health insurance, or it may health insurance plan, all that she had
or disciplined. our union be so expensive you would have to worked for through the years would
contracts contain grievance choose between taking your child to have been devastated. She would have
provisions that require “just cause” the doctor or providing meals. lost everything — her house, her car,
for any discipline, and the union i recall one of our members who her savings.
investigates and resolves thousands told me of her unfortunate bout with a union membership means
of such grievances every year. serious illness. The cost of medical strength in numbers, and that
The wages you receive are negoti- care to keep her alive escalated to strength leads to a better future for
ated by the union and are the result hundreds of thousands of dollars. She you and your family.
of many years of hard work and ded-
ication by union members, as well as
officers and staff.
your health benefits are among the
best in the country and are the envy of u.S. survey again shows union
many at non-union companies.
you will have a pension plan, members earn higher wages
A
which allows countless members to
n annual survey by the l More public-sector employ-
look forward to retirement at a rea-
united States bureau of ees (7.9 million) belonged to a
sonable age, with the security of
Labor Statistics found union than did private sector
knowing that they will have enough
that in 2009 full-time employees (7.4 million), despite
income to enjoy it.
workers who were union mem- there being five times more wage
The union strives to protect these
bers had much higher earnings and salary workers in the private
standards by engaging in informa-
than non-union workers. sector.
tional picket lines, rallies and other
The median weekly earnings l Workers in education, train-
campaigns to raise public awareness
of union members was $908, ing and library occupations had
of threats to our jobs posed by
while those who were not repre- the highest unionization rate at
Walmart and other corporate villains.
sented by unions had median 38.1 percent.
your union works hard to educate
weekly earnings of $710. l Among states, New york
public officials about issues that con-
The study shows that union had the highest union member-
cern our membership and all work-
membership was 12.3 percent of ship rate (25.2 percent) and
ing Americans.
the total u.S. work force, essen- North Carolina had the lowest
Most importantly: union member-
tially unchanged from 12.4 per- rate (3.1 percent).
ship gives you a voice — the right to
cent a year earlier. The number l The union membership rate
speak out, individually and collec-
of wage and salary workers was higher for men (13.3 per-
tively.
belonging to unions declined by cent) than for women (11.3 per-
our union gives us the right to
771,000 to 15.3 million, largely cent).
make a positive impact on the way we
reflecting the overall drop in l union membership was high-
and our fellow workers are treated.
employment due to the reces- est among workers 55 to 64 (16.6
imagine what your life would be
sion. percent). The lowest union mem-
like without a union. you would have
other information on union bership rate occurred among those
no job security — your boss could
membership: ages 16 to 24 (4.7 percent).
fire you at will. Retirement would not
be a concept in your future. your
10 99RePoRT • A voiCe FoR The WoRkiNG FAMiLieS oF ARiZoNA
DiSCouNTS FoR SPeCiAL eveNTS
limiteD-time offers
To PuRChASe TiCkeTS, PLeASe CoNTACT The uNioN oFFiCe AT (602) 254-0099 oR (800) 997-0099.
ALL TiCkeTS ARe LiMiTeD AND SoLD oN A FiRST-CoMe bASiS.
Subway Fresh Fit 600 — Saturday, April 10, 2010
Tom Petty Grandstand (Row 34)
$44 each (Gate price: $55)
Join other UFCW Local 99 Members at
Tom Petty Grandstand (Rows 16 and 17) Chase Field during the 2010 season!
$28 each ($10 child 12 and younger)
(Gate price: $35) Ticket Locations:
B: Bullpen Reserve - Sections 106-108; 136-138
SOME TICKETS MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE! BR: Baseline Reserve - Sections 109-111; 133-135
For information, contact Dianne Joselit at the union office. IF: Infield Reserve - Sections 305-327
Discount Tickets Available for
UFCW Local 99 Members:
Tuesday, April 20, vs Cardinals @ 6:40 p.m. — $15 (BR)
Friday, May 7, vs Brewers @ 6:40 p.m. - fireworks — $15 (B)
Sunday, May 23, vs Blue Jays @ 1:10 p.m. - ball & bat set for kids — $15 (B)
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents
Monday, June 7, vs Braves @ 6:40 p.m. — $15 (BR)
Barnum’s Funundrum
Wednesday, June 23, vs Yankees @ 6:40 p.m. - $15 (IF)*
Wednesday, June 23 (opening night) @ 7:00 p.m.
Monday, July 5, vs Cubs @ 1:10 p.m., July 4 holiday day — $17 (B)
$16 (regular price $28)
Saturday, July 24, vs Giants @ 5:10 p.m., replica jersey — $15 (B)
Thursday, June 24 @11 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 7, vs Padres @ 5:10 p.m., Gonzo bobble head — $18 (BR)
$12.75 (regular price $28)
Saturday, Aug. 21, vs Rockies @ 5:10 p.m., 2011 spring training replica —$18 (BR)
Saturday, June 26 @ 7 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 6, vs Giants @ 1:10 p.m., Labor Day — $15 (BR)
$25 (regular price $28)
Friday, Sept. 24, vs Dodgers @ 6:40pm, Fandemonium — $15 (B)
Deadline to purchase tickets for this event: June 15
Deadline to purchase tickets is one week prior to game
date, except for the June 23 Yankees game.
*Deadline for this game is May 17.
ATTn GOLFERS: SPECIAL InTRODUCTORY OFFER
Arizona Golf Buddy (www.azgolfbuddy.com): a book of 2-for-1
golf and other great discounts at some of Arizona’s BEST golf courses!
$25 (regular price $39.95)
Contact the Union office to purchase your Arizona Golf Buddy today!
MARCh-APRiL 2010 11
heALTh & WeLLNeSS
Activity for life
T
NoTe: The FoLLoWiNG iNFoRMATioN iS PRoviDeD by APS heALThCARe, iNC.
T
he benefits of physical activity include a low-
ered risk of cardiovascular disease, some can-
cers, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
it can also strengthen bones and muscles, and
improve mental health.
Deciding to add more activity in your day is an
important step in leading a healthier lifestyle.
individuals who exercise regularly are more likely to
experience overall feelings of well-being and good
health. Consider the following when starting and main-
taining an exercise program:
speCifY Your goals
What do you want to get out of an exercise program?
Weight control? Stress control? higher aerobic thresh-
old? More flexibility and strength? knowing what you
want to get out of exercise will help you find and main-
tain a long-term program that will work best for you.
For example, if weight loss or an improved aerobic
threshold is your goal, make sure you include aerobic family walks, bike rides, or pool time. if time is an
activity in your exercise program for at least 30 minutes issue, try incorporating exercise into daily life such as
a day. if you are looking for all of the above, try a com- walking or biking when going to work or (literally) run-
bination of activities such as walking, yoga and weight ning your errands. Set short-term (i.e., weekly) goals to
training. keep you motivated to achieve your long-term (i.e.,
be realistiC annual) goal.
Make sure that your exercise plan is realistic with iDentifY alternatives
your lifestyle and preferences. For example, if you have Weather and illnesses can cause missed days of
children, plan exercise that involves them — such as scheduled exercise which can throw you off target. in
order to stick with your plan, identify alternative rou-
tines for when interruptions arise. Make sure you have
indoor exercise options and look for ways to use
inclement conditions to your advantage. Snowshoeing,
anyone?
Tell your family, friends and coworkers about your
goals and ask for their support and encouragement.
Also, take classes where you will meet other people
who share your exercise interests. Most importantly,
remember to support and encourage yourself!
before You start
before you start an exercise program, consult with
your health care professional about your health goals
and what type of activity would be most beneficial.
For details, visit www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity.
12 99RePoRT • A voiCe FoR The WoRkiNG FAMiLieS oF ARiZoNA
heALTh CARe ReFoRM LAW hiGhLiGhTS
health care reform: the facts
o o
n March 21, a dramatic vote in Congress l the new law will extend health insurance to an esti-
capped a century-long struggle to make mated 32 million americans. This means about 95
health care affordable and accessible for percent of the population will be covered. Those who
almost every American. will not be covered will be undocumented immigrants.
President obama signed the bill, titled the l Health care will become affordable for everyone.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, into Those who have small incomes will be able to acquire
law two days later. coverage either through a subsidy fund or through an
it is a complicated law because it seeks to bring extension of Medicare. individual Americans will be
structure, logic and efficiency to a health care sys- able to join “insurance exchanges” that, because of
tem few people understood in the first place. their large memberships, will be able to negotiate bet-
in part because of deliberate distortions that ter rates with health insurance companies.
were spread by opponents of the bill, many people l Health care will remain affordable for those who
have mistaken ideas about the new law’s provi- already have it. in the future, insurance premium
sions. increases will be limited by tighter regulation of the
Tens of millions of American families without insurance industry. For example, the bill ends gender
health insurance have been forced to rely on expensive discrimination in setting insurance rates and establish-
emergency rooms to get their medical care, their con- es a procedure to review insurance premium increases
ditions horribly worsened because they couldn’t afford and to take action against unreasonable rate hikes.
to see a doctor earlier for basic and preventive care. l no american will be denied health care coverage
The taxpayers have been paying the costs for this inef-
because of a previous medical condition. This is a
ficient, wasteful and cruel system.
huge benefit that uFCW members have enjoyed all
in fact, the Congressional budget office estimates
along, and now all Americans will have it, too.
health care reform will cut the deficit by $1.2 trillion
over the next 10 years. l union members will benefit. Medical costs will be
There is still much to do, but much has been accom- better controlled, which means our trust funds will be
plished. better able to maintain our current high standards of
benefits. ufCw members will not have to pay a tax
on their benefits. (See President Jim McLaughlin’s
column on page 3 for details on how the law will help
control medical costs.)
l union employers will benefit. The new law includes
incentives for all large companies to provide medical
care for their workers. This will help level the playing
field between union and non-union employers. union
employers will feel less competitive pressure to cut their
costs by demanding cutbacks at the bargaining table.
l Young people will benefit. People 26 and younger
will be covered by their parents’ health plans.
l seniors will benefit. The law also cuts brand-name
drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries by 50 percent in
2011 and closes the Medicare prescription drug “donut
hole” completely by 2020.
MARCh-APRiL 2010 13
PeoPLe oF LoCAL 99
Superhero
comic book characters inspire
e
David Gomez as he fights for his union
e
ven though David Gomez collects superhero comic
books, he doesn’t consider himself a superhero,
except when it comes to standing up for his union.
“i will fight for my union every chance i get,”
Gomez said.
“Working at a job under a union contract is the best thing
that ever happened to me. The union is the reason we have
the benefits we do.”
Gomez has been a union member for all of the 19 years
DAviD GoMeZ STANDS STRoNG WiTh CAPTAiN AMeRiCA.
he has worked in the retail food industry.
he began his career at Fry’s in Phoenix, and after six Recently, he became a Special Project union Representa-
years he transferred to Safeway 1955 in Peoria, where he tive (SPuR).
works as a stocker. “i go into stores to encourage non members to join the
“i joined the union as soon as i could,” he recalled about union,” Gomez said.
his early days in the industry. “Worker-to-worker is always the best way to persuade
“i have eight family members who work in the stores people to join. i just tell them what the union does for all of
and they are all union members. us. i also tell them how important it is to have a strong
“i also have a lot of friends who work in a variety of union and that the more members we have, the stronger we
industries not covered by a union contract. it didn’t take become.”
much to see the difference in wages and benefits.” he said he has signed-up several new members.
Gomez added: “Any organization that does so much for Gomez is a fifth-generation Arizonan. his great-grand-
its members deserves my support.” father was born in Ft. McDowell.
Gomez said that job security is the most important ben- “he told us that his family went there for protection
efit offered by working under a union contract. against Apache attacks,” he said. “i loved hearing his sto-
“i don’t have to worry about ries about the real old West.”
being dismissed just because my When he isn’t at work or engaging
boss doesn’t like me,” Gomez said. in SPuR activities, Gomez likes to
“And i don’t have to worry about spend time with his longtime girl-
my salary suddenly being cut for no friend, Sara howard, and his 14-year-
good reason. That has happened to old stepdaughter, Claudia. he also
several people i know who work likes to ride his harley and add to his
non-union.” superhero comic book collection.
Gomez became a steward three “When i was a kid, i went into a
years ago. store and saw a Superman vs.
“it was time to step up to the Muhammad Ali comic book,”
GoMeZ RiDeS hiS hARLey-DAviDSoN bAD boy.
plate,” he said. “i have some pretty Gomez said. “i fell in love with
good knowledge of the contract, and if there is something i superhero comic books and started collecting them. i have
don’t know i call Fred [yamashita], my union representa- thousands of them stored in my home. it has been a great
tive. he is always ready to help.” hobby for me.
Gomez has served Local 99 as an advisory committee “Superheroes always stand up for what is right, just like
member and as a volunteer during contract negotiations. we all need to do in life.”
14 99RePoRT • A voiCe FoR The WoRkiNG FAMiLieS oF ARiZoNA
LAboR hiSToRy
Arizona rising
The CoPPeR MiNe STRike oF 1983
W
John L. Lewis By Jim mcLaughLin, President of UfCW LoCaL 99, UfCW internationaL ViCe President “Mother” Jones
W
hat began as a bargaining dispute between the workers and took out large ads for new workers in Tucson
Phelps Dodge Corporation and a group of and Phoenix newspapers.
union copper miners in 1983 resulted in a on Monday, Aug. 8, approximately 1,000 strikers and
strike that lasted nearly three years. their supporters gathered at the Morenci mine’s gate, forc-
The events are regarded as an important moment in the ing Phelps Dodge to stop production.
history of the united States Labor Movement because After Arizona Gov. bruce babbitt flew in to meet with the
Labor’s bitter defeat led to the overt union-busting and company, Phelps Dodge agreed to a 10-day moratorium on
strike-breaking tactics that characterized the 1980s. hiring replacement workers. The company also agreed to
The copper mining company began negotiations with bring in a federal mediator to help resolve the dispute.
the united Steelworkers and other unions in Phoenix in but on the morning of August 19, military vehicles,
May 1983. tanks, helicopters, 426 state troopers and 325 National
The unions agreed to a freeze on their members’ wages Guard members arrived in Clifton and Morenci as part of
for three years but wanted annual operation Copper Nugget to break the
Cost of Living Adjustments. They strike.
also wanted to prevent the compa- Replacement workers were then able to
ny from combining jobs. freely enter the mine under the protection
The unions cited agreements of the state troopers and National
with similar provisions that had Guardsmen.
been accepted by other mining cor- eight days later, 10 strikers were arrest-
porations, including kennecott, ed in Ajo and charged with rioting.
Asarco, Magma Copper and A series of confrontations and contro-
inspiration Consolidated Copper. versies further eroded the strike’s momen-
Phelps Dodge said it would not tum and it officially ended on Feb. 19,
agree to the unions’ proposals 1986, after the National Labor Relations
because it faced competition from board rejected appeals from the unions to
overseas producers during a partic- A 40-FT MuRAL iN The boARDeD-uP uSWA LoCAL halt decertification efforts.
616 uNioN hALL iN CLiFToN, ARiZ., DePiCTS
ularly low period of metals pricing. “AMeRiCAN LAboR: FoRTiTuDe, PRiDe, hoNoR.” After the strike was broken, Phelps
The negotiations ended in an iT WAS PAiNTeD by DAviD TiNeo AND ToMAS WAR Dodge prospered due in part to the climb
impasse, and at midnight on July CLouD (Nee bANDARieS) DuRiNG The 1983-1986 in world copper prices and the introduc-
30 thousands of miners walked out, STRike AGAiNST PheLPS DoDGe. tion of new mining technology.
SouThWeST LAboR hiSToRy ARChiveS
including workers from Morenci, The Arizona Copper Mine Strike be-
Ajo, Clifton and Douglas. came a symbol of defeat for American unions. it represents
A picket line was formed at the Morenci mine. The next a prime example of corporate greed and irresponsibility.
day, Phelps Dodge increased security personnel in and To make sure that working men and women get a fair
around the mine. shake, we need to redouble our efforts to elect labor-friend-
Within days, miners were subject to unlawful arrests, ly politicians. They will appoint people to serve on the
firings, evictions and undercover surveillance by the NLRb and the industrial Commission of Arizona who will
Arizona Criminal intelligence Systems Agency. protect the rights of workers.
The local government soon passed injunctions limiting The task before unions today is to ensure that corpo-
both picketing and demonstrations at the Morenci mine. rate greed never again triumphs over the rights of work-
Phelps Dodge began hiring permanent replacement ing people.
MARCh-APRiL 2010 15
UFCW LOCAL 99
2401 North Central Avenue, 2nd Floor NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S.
Phoenix, AZ 85004-1331 POSTAGE
PAID
Return Service Requested
Phoenix, Arizona
Permit No. 606
presiDent Jim mClaugHlin, at rigHt, speaks witH u.s. rep. gabrielle gifforDs (D-soutHern arizona) on tHe impor-
tanCe of HealtH Care reform, immigration reform anD tHe rigHt to CHoose a union at tHe 2010 ufCw legislative
anD politiCal aCtion ConferenCe in wasHington, D.C. (see Complete report on pages 6-7.)