As you are certainly aware, the current economy has reached every sector of our country. To say the least, times are tough.

The recent merger between FAIR and GOA, along with the struggling economy, has had the other staff unions in the country rethinking their strategy. We have been contacted by a number of staff unions within other unions around the country. As far as any of us know, the FAIR/ GOA merger was a first among staff unions and has peeked interest for other unions to reach out to FAIR.

Several discussions have taken place with other unions n an effort to share ideas and get to know one another. As you might imagine, we have more in common that we thought.

These new relationships can only strengthen our unions as we move through this sluggish economy trying to improve the lives of our members.

FAIR continues to lead the way in bargaining quality contracts around the country and now others are seeking alliance to build a stronger staff union base throughout the United States. We’re all in this together, and together we will continue to make our proud union even stronger.

Our membership is at an all time high and we continue to move our agenda forward for the members we are privileged to represent.

By Paul Supat
For the first time, FAIR has a Collective Bargaining Agreement with a Community Activist group/Informational Pickets.

The agreement is between FAIR and UFCW 8-Golden State in California. Contract highlights include wages, health and welfare benefits, holidays, vacations, seniority rights, and grievance and arbitration procedure.

UFCW 8-Golden State has informational picket lines at non-union supermarkets in Sacramento, Fresno, Rancho Cordova, and Yuba City.

Many people realize that contract negotiations can be difficult at best. What many people don’t realize is that the Officers of FAIR are full-time Union Representatives who can give up a great deal of their personal time and vacation in the personal time and vacation in the performance of their duties for FAIR.

FAIR would like to thank all of those who have volunteered their time and efforts in organizing campaigns, as job stewards, or in service to the members we are privileged to represent.

Road to 2010
FAIR has already begun preparations for the International contract, which is set to expire October 6, 2010. The merger of FAIR and GOA was only the beginning of preparations for 2010. International Representatives will soon receive a contract questionnaire, the first in a series of questionnaires designed to develop a continuing process of communications about issues facing International Representatives and Organizers. Be sure to take the time to fill out and return the information promptly.

By Linda Crespillo We’ve all heard the hype about going “green”, it seems as though it’s a new trend that is here today and will be gone tomorrow. But hopefully, for the sake of our planet, it will stick around.

I find myself asking, what does it mean to me? What can I do to make a difference? Going “green” to me translates into protecting our environment by cutting down on pollution and slowing down the inevitable process of global warming.

We need to make it our responsibility to be eco-friendly, and by making small changes you can make an extraordinary difference.

Some of the measures UFCW 8-Golden State in Northern California has taken to become more eco-friendly is switching out all disposable plastic and Styrofoam eating utensils, plates, and cups and replacing them with reusable material. Also, recycling cans were set up around their office to ensure that they do not throw away any recyclable objects.

So, you are wondering, what can I do? Here are some planet and money saving tips you can incorporate into your daily routine:

Rethink your travel
By using public transportation and carpooling, you will cut down on the toxic emissions that are dispelled into the air.

Go paperless when possible
If possible, email and store documents electronically. Also, instead of receiving magazines and newspapers, go online to read your news and choose to have your bills emailed to you rather than sent to you by mail.

Ramp up your recycling
Set up a system at home and work where you can collect recyclable material.

If you would like more tips and information, please visit www.thinkgreen.com to see how you can help in preserving our planet for future generations.

Please share some of your recycling tips you use around your home or office and we’ll add them to the newsletter, click on the Contact Us link.

FAIR takes an active role in the enforcement of our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Many contracts go years without any major problems, yet others seem to have constant challenges.

Through our stewards, Vice Presidents or the Executive Committee, grievances are processed up to and including arbitration. Although it is not FAIR’s practice to publish what locals or regions of the International have grievances or pending arbitration cases, rest assured if a reasonable settlement is unable to be reached, all FAIR contracts contain final and binding arbitration language.

FAIR does not arbitrate a case that we don’t believe can be won just to arbitrate it. However, every consideration is given in evaluating cases while processing grievances.