On Monday, January 14, 30,000 educators in LAUSD will take a stand to improve classrooms and learning conditions for our kids.

UTLA members are going on strike for:

• Smaller class sizes

• More nurses and counselors

• Fair wages

• Accountability for charter schools

As a union member, you understand how critical and crucial labor actions like these are in creating long and lasting change. We need to stand in solidarity with our teachers and join them in this fight, because the more workers who come together, the more unstoppable we become.

According to the Los Angeles Federation of Labor, here are some ways that you can support the strike:

1. Get Loud on Social Media

Never underestimate the power of a hashtag. You have the power to invite more people into the conversation.

Follow updates on www.WeArePublicSchools.org and tell your friends on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter that you won’t cross the picket line. Use your own message or the one prepared below. And don’t forget to use these hashtags: #StrikeReady #RedForEd #UTLAstrong.

I, a member of @UFCW770, stand with @utlanow educators and will not cross the picket line. Join me now to improve classrooms and schools for our kids. https://wearepublicschools.org/ #StrikeReady #RedForEd #UTLAstrong.

 

2. Be a Part of the Leadership School for Education and Action

Join parents, students and other union members at the Leadership School for Education and Action, an exciting week-long program full of political education and action.

See this PDF for details.

3. Join the Picket Lines

Want to join the picket line? You can adopt one or several schools and join the picket lines before or after school.

Here’s how:

• Visit UTLA Adopt-A-School to see a map of all LAUSD campuses

• Click on the magnifying glass to search within the map.

• Enter your home or work address to find the campuses closest to you
• Click on the small red book icon for the exact address name and phone number of the school.
• Help LA Federation of Labor track support for teachers by filling out this form.
• Check www.WeArePublicSchools.org for picket and rally times.

Members:

While many people savor time off over the holidays, 770 Brothers and Sisters are clocking-in for extra shifts to make sure those holidays go off without a hitch. For those of you on the job and to those who enjoyed a hard-earned break: thank you. I’ll respect your schedule and make this New Year’s message quick. I just need a minute of your time.

This union is powered by people. Never has that fact been more obvious to me than when sitting at a gathering of our GOTV volunteers just a few weeks ago. Many of these members had never stepped foot on a political campaign before. Yet they faced the sun and heat of Nevada with courage, canvassing for weeks on end to help workers win a historic victory in a right-to-work state. Not bad.

It’s this can-do spirit that makes you and your brothers and sisters the people I’m proud to wake up and fight for every day. To capture this spirit, though, and the wisdom that lives in each and every store, dispensary, pharmacy, and plan across this union, we’re trying something a little different this year.

In 2019, we’re launching a listening campaign to hear directly from you. You may get a call, email, or text soon, and I hope you’ll take the time to give us your honest feedback. What’s your top concern in a new contract? What are the news and issues keeping you up at night? What are your priorities both on and off the clock?

You’ll be hearing a lot more of this from Kathy in the coming weeks. For now, though, please make sure you’re following us on social so you can be heard.

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From a new Rite Aid contract to winning back a 100% unionized Farmer John’s plant, you got the job done in 2018. We’re just getting started.

They said it couldn’t be done.

In a right-to-work, anti-union state like Nevada, they said voters wouldn’t elect candidates who fight for working people.

They were wrong.

Last week, we regrouped to look back at the historic victory UFCW 770 members helped win in Nevada. Leading up to the Midterms, a group of fired up members took paid leaves from their jobs to travel to Las Vegas and get out the vote.

The results were huge. Thanks in part to 770 members knocking door-to-door, voters elected the first Democratic governor in Nevada in two decades, Steve Sisolak, and kicked out Republican Senator Dean Heller, who helped pass last year’s corporate tax cut.

It was a big moment for working people, especially in a fiercely anti-union state.

More importantly, our GOTV volunteers are bringing their energy and hard-earned lessons back home to California to keep fighting.

Here’s what we learned:

1. It’s never too late to start organizing

You don’t need to be an experienced campaigner to make a difference. In fact, many of the members who traveled to Nevada were volunteering for the very first time, like Nicole Parraz, a Food4Less cake decorator from Palmdale.

“This was my first experience organizing with the union and it opened my eyes to just how important the union is. I met a lot of great people, and it was a life-changing experience. It made me want to continue to help organizing.”

2. Attitude is everything

Tracy Cason, a 770 pharmacy assistant at Kaiser Permanente for 20 years, was also a first-time political volunteer in Nevada. For her part, she wasn’t sure how to canvass or talk to voters, but jumped in with enthusiasm – and it paid off.

“I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but when I watched the election results, I was so happy. All that hard work, all that heat. It paid off. To make a difference was such a good feeling.”

3. We need to keep the momentum going

Ludmila Blanco from CVS has been politically active literally since she was a child. She knows that it’s “constant fight” against employers for better rights — and that we need to stay vigilante if we’re going to keep winning.

“As a Salvadoran child, my parents were politically active here. At the age of five, I was marching in downtown LA for the war to stop in El Salvador. I was taught that we need to stand up, and peacefully fight, and not give up. Being part of the union is bringing [my identity] – this is me, this is the fighter that I’ve been since I was a child. We ought to fight for our rights.”

If you’re interested in fighting for your rights and pitching in during organizing campaigns like Ludmila, sign up below and we’ll get you started on everything you need to know.

Members,

With the grocery contract negotiation right around the corner, I can’t stop thinking about the strength I saw in all our members at the Grocery Stewards Conference back in October.

In my 40 years of working in the grocery market, I’ve never been so excited about the future of this union. When I looked out and saw hundreds of stewards standing together with their fists in the air, it hit me: we can do anything we set our minds to if we hang together.

Watch the video above and learn why I’m fired up to fight for you. Then leave a comment to let employers know you’re ready to fight for a better deal.

We all have our own versions of what we think makes a fair contract and collectively, they create a shared vision and a strong union. If we hang tough, stand together and bring that same energy to the upcoming grocery contract negotiation, we will win. We’ll win better benefits, higher wages, and the respect we deserve.

I’m proud to be a part of this union with you. Let’s get ready to get a better deal.

Leave Your Comment

We got this,

Jennifer A. Gates, 770 member 

Michael was more than just our attorney for over 35 years; he was a huge part of our UFCW family. Personally, he was my mentor and my very dear friend. He was such an extraordinary person with a unique combination of personality traits that made him the one and only Michael Four.

I first met Michael in the late 80’s when I was a law student clerking at Schwartz, Steinsapir, Dohrmann & Sommers. For the 6 years that I worked at SSDS as a law clerk and associate, Michael was the best boss without exception (no offense to the other SSDS attorneys all of whom I love). His direct style, supportive nature and approachability made it easy for a young associate to ask questions, debate ideas and strategies and come to a thorough understanding of the task at hand. This made it so Michael rarely had to make corrections to my work although, according to him, he always had to find at least one thing to correct on every brief I wrote so he could justify signing his name to it.

Michael was a dedicated and steadfast advocate for working people. Our union representatives always requested Michael to handle their discipline arbitrations because, in the end, win or lose, the members felt the best possible case was presented to the arbitrator. The members especially liked to see their managers squirm under Michael’s cross-examination. Michael has also been the one constant in our industry-wide arbitrations since the early 80’s. His knowledge of our industry history is irreplaceable. Michael was incredibly liked and respected by opposing counsel and all the arbitrators we work with.

Michael always wanted to be in the mix because he truly cared about every development impacting our organization and our members. During our most challenging negotiations, he called frequently for updates and was always available to offer bargaining advice or emotional support. Particularly, during our 2003/2004 strike, which until now was the most difficult time in my career, Michael handled all of the litigation and was still available to take calls whenever anyone needed his support or encouragement. After the strike, Michael worked to recover $70 million for our Ralphs members who were unlawfully locked out.

Over the 30 years I’ve known him, Michael became a very dear friend of mine. We shared a life-long love for the Grateful Dead and went to shows together frequently, including “Fare Thee Well” in Chicago in 2015. We first went to a Dead show together in 1990 and our last show was this last July when Michael was thrilled to be at the show with his sons.

Michael and I also shared a love for our families and constantly up-dated each other about our kids successes and challenges. Michael even brought his mother to Chicago in 2015, not to the Dead show, but so she could visit her family in Chicago. When Michael’s parents moved to Los Angeles, he struggled with the challenges of helping to care for his parents, but he never failed to take them shopping on Saturdays. Michael loved his family. Even though I didn’t spend much time with Michael and Karen together, Michael talked about Karen frequently and I always felt a part of their lives. He spoke proudly about Karen’s career achievements and shared other interesting details about their lives, including their plans to retire in Santa Fe.

Michael’s unique personality included anxieties and some neurotic behaviors but he dealt with them with such an honest and upbeat self-deprecating humor that they were endearing rather than annoying. His intelligence and dedication made him the best attorney while his humility and humor made him fun to work with and a pleasure to be around.

Last week, Michael and I had planned to prepare for an upcoming arbitration after I chaired my first executive board meeting. Rather than coming after the Board meeting, Michael came in the morning to watch me chair the meeting. He said, jokingly, that John wanted him there to make sure I didn’t do anything crazy but I’m sure he was there to share that milestone with me. He genuinely cared about people both personally and professionally. Literally everybody liked Michael. He will be remembered lovingly and profoundly missed by so many.

—Kathy Finn, Secretary-Treasurer, UFCW 770

It is with great regret and sadness that we report the death of Michael Four, a close ally of our movement and a labor law attorney with the firm Schwartz Steinsapir.

Michael spent 37 years fighting tirelessly for the rights of working people, collaborating with our union and others to advance and expand the interests of workers and employees across the country.

He contributed to numerous victories throughout the years, helping hundreds of employees find justice in arbitrations, holding corporate management accountable, and handling large, sweeping projects for our union. He helped win a landmark judgment against Ralphs Grocery that resulted in millions of dollars paid to employees unfairly treated during the 2003-4 lockout and strike.

Although a formidable and steadfast advocate for our families, Michael was best known for his kindness, compassion, and devotion to his family, qualities acknowledged by all who knew him – including those on the other side of the bargaining table.

He is survived by his mother, brother, wife, and two sons.

His insight, optimistic and positive attitude, and commitment to the fight will be missed. While we mourn Michael today, we are sure he would echo the famous quote from Mother Jones: “Pray for the dead, but fight like hell for the living!”

Thank you, Michael. May your name be a blessing.

Condolences for the family and firm can be sent to Margo Feinberg at InlovingmemoryMDFour@ssdslaw.com where they will be compiled into a memory book for the family.

Hey there,

I just sat down from cleaning a pile of dishes up to my ears. The kids have left, the house is quiet. After a long day of family, friends, and (so much) food, I couldn’t let the sun set without sharing my gratitude with you all.

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday or an excuse to sell some turkeys. It’s a chance to reflect back on where we’ve been, where we’re going, but – most importantly – the people who walk with us on our journey.

That means you. I’m thankful to every single person in this union for pouring their blood and sweat into the job every day (with a smile on your face, too). Not only that, you all are going above and beyond to meet the incredible fight we’re in to get democracy – on and off the clock.

I’m thinking of Francis Robateau and Andrea Arhelger and our political volunteers who took their hard-earned days off to walk door to door canvassing. They didn’t let the hot sun of the Simi Valley scare them. The pushed ahead and their tenacity helped flip a seat that’s been in hostile hands for decades.

I’m thinking of Johnathan Fabro and our organizing team who are helping bring safety and security to hundreds of Cannabis members across L.A. County. We’re about to sign a new contract with Med Men – a major moment to show the world that we are here and we’re legit.

I’m thinking of Mary and the thousands of Rite Aid workers and supporters who, when Rite Aid threatened their health care, said: “No way.” Our Boycott Rite Aid campaign brought the company back to the table and took their hands off your benefits.

I’m thinking of all of you who feed your communities – mind, body, and soul – every single day. You keep your neighbors happy and healthy. That’s a powerful thing, and something they’ll never be able to take from us. As long as we continue showing up and giving our all, we’ll keep winning.

The fight is far from over, though. Next month, we begin organizing for our Grocery contract negotiations. Whether you’re a Grocery division member or not, this is your fight. It’s no secret ruthless companies like Amazon want to bring automation to every store. When we hang tough, though, we can get ahead and get more.

They may have the money and the expensive lawyers. We have something better, though: the power of people. We have each other.

Please sign up to volunteer your time and we’ll get you started on how you can pitch in to help get a better deal. For now, Happy Thanksgiving.

VOLUNTEER

And now we go,

John Grant
President, UFCW 770

GEKLAW Workshops

As workers, you’re at risk of getting injured or sick on the job every day. As members, you have access to attorneys from Gordon Edelstein who will make the workers comp process as smooth for you as possible. Come to one or all of our GEKLAW workshops for legal advice and answers to your questions – free of charge.

Understand and exercise your rights under your contract and the law with the help of these workshops.

Get your rights. Get treated.

For more information, call us at 323.923.2119.

 

GEKLAW Office Hours and Locations

Shatto Office – 630 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, CA 90210
Every Wednesday—2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Huntington Park Office – 5400 Pacific Boulevard, Huntington Park, CA 90255
Two Wednesdays each month beginning in December—2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. See dates below.

Camarillo Office – 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Suite H, Camarillo, CA 93012
Every Tuesday—9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

 

Huntington Park Workshop Dates

Month	Dates
December 2018	December 5, December 9
January 2019	January 16, January 30
February 2019	February 13, February 27
March 2019	March 13, March 27
April 2019	April 10, April 24
May 2019	May 8, May 22
June 2019	June 5, June 19
July 2019	July 17, July 31
August 2019	August 14, August 28
September 2019	September 11, September 25
October 2019	October 9, October 23
November 2019	November 6, November 20
December 2019	December 4, December 18