The office staff and Union representatives at Teamsters Local 38, just outside of Seattle, Washington, are now covered by a FAIR contract.
 

This represents a first for both the staff and for FAIR.  Traditionally representing UFCW locals, FAIR has branched out with a Teamster local.
 

“This was a natural progression for our Union,” said President John Heise.  “The ratification of this agreement will no doubt lead to a better way of life for our new members with Teamsters Local 38 and lead to other organizing opportunities.”
 

The Teamster agreement was ratified by the staff on October 22, 2012.

Organizing Union people sure sounds easy; they already work for a Union, understand Union principles, and preach to their own members how important it is to be Union.  Well the fact is, there is nothing easy about organizing.  However, the Teamsters International Organizers were ready for a fight when the International Brotherhood of Teamsters tried to deny them a Staff Union.  Battle lines were drawn, charges were filed, and when the dust cleared, FAIR won the election.
 

Hats off to former FAIR Vice President AJ Morrissette who did all the heavy lifting on this campaign.  AJ has done an outstanding job!
 

We will keep you informed as we continue to move towards bargaining a first contract.
 

Paul Lowney is a third generation grocery clerk.  He started in the grocery industry 18 years ago as a courtesy clerk at Raley’s.  His journey has led him to be a Union Representative and a proud member of FAIR for the past seven years.
 

Paul got involved with FAIR during the first year of his employment at UFCW 8.  He was on an organizing campaign in Arizona with fellow UFCW organizers from the biggest local in Southern California when FAIR was brought up.  It was much to his surprise that these Union organizers were not represented themselves.  Paul began to ask why they were not represented and heard the same reasons that they all had been hearing all day while trying to organize non-union grocery clerks.  He was shocked to say the least, but mainly disappointed that there were Union representatives and organizers that were intimidated and fearful of being represented.  Paul spoke with President Heise who shared that this is common throughout the nation.  He offered his assistance to FAIR in anyway possible because of his Union values passed down from his grandfather and mother.  Paul was glad to hear that President Heise and he shared the same values of believing workers in all industries, especially in our own industry, should be organized.
 

During Paul’s off time he enjoys traveling, helping others in his community, and spending time with his loved ones including his five year old boxer named Zeus.

Organizing has taken on a new face with the smaller independent UFCW staff Unions looking to affiliate with a larger body.
 

As FAIR continues to grow our opportunities become greater. Welcome to our new Sisters and Brothers in Wisconsin from Local 1473!

The representatives and office clerical of UFCW Local 7 in Colorado voted overwhelmingly to merge with FAIR on September 11, 2012.  Meetings with FAIR President John Heise and United Local Seven Staff Union President Steve Pardee produced a relationship that fostered in a merger of the two Unions.
 

The benefits to both Unions were undeniable; for FAIR, continued growth and having a stronger position in the Midwest and for ULSSU, merging brought additional resources that come with being part of a larger Union.
 

Once passed by ULSSU, the merger agreement was put to a vote of the membership of FAIR who approved the merger on October 11, 2012.  Bringing 40 new members to our Union.