Newsletter

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

John Heise, FAIR President What Happens in Vegas, Stays In Vegas!
BUT WHAT IF NOTHING HAPPENS?

Vegas, Sin City, with its bright lights and lots of entertainment, it’s a destination for many who want to get away from it all. Even if it’s for just a few days.

Behind all the glitz and glamour, are the workers who make it all happen. If you’re a trade unionist and you think of Vegas, you think Union. Las Vegas is a Union town. Even though Nevada is a right-to-work state, Las Vegas maintains high Union density.

Recently FAIR had finally worked out the chance to go to Vegas to UFCW Local 711 to meet with their staff. We know what you’re thinking, “Hey, that should be easy talking to Union Representatives about joining the Union in a Union town”. Well, we thought so too. However, it didn’t work out that way.

After having talked with the Representatives and the Office Staff…..nothing, zero, nada. How could this be? This is Vegas baby. These are people who go out every day and explain to folks why its important to join the Union, but when given the opportunity to join the Union of their trade……..nothing, zero, nada.

Our point is that nothing is as easy as it seems. Organizing is very hard work even if you’re dealing with Union minded people. There are underlying concerns, fears, and uncertainties that weigh on people’s minds.

That being said, we believe that you should practice what you preach. We look forward to someday soon representing the Representatives and Office Staff at Local 711. But until then, we will keep spreading the word of our Union. Organize, organize, organize.

If you know any of the staff at Local 711, please reach out to them. Give them a call and tell them all the securities your Union contract provides you. That may be all it takes for them to see the lights.

Fraternally,

John Heise, FAIR President

JOHN W. HEISE
Proud President of FAIR

ARE LOCALS JOINING? OF COURSE!!

FAIR WELCOMES 2 NEW LOCALS

As FAIR continues to pursue organizing as a priority for growth of our Union, we would like to welcome two new locals.

UFCW Locals 271 in Nebraska and 791 in Massachusetts both recently gained recognition and are in the process of bargaining their first Collective Bargaining Agreement.

INTERNATIONAL REPORT - SUMMER 2010

PREPARATION FOR INTERNATIONAL
CONTRACT CONTINUES.........

The FAIR bargaining team assigned to the upcoming International negotiations plots its course with input from membership.

With the International contract about to expire, FAIR fine tunes proposals and strategies in preparation for what is anticipated to be very difficult bargaining.

MEMBERS RATIFY NEW 3 YEAR AGREEMENT

International Representatives overwhelming approved a new Collective Bargaining

Agreement on December 9, 2010. The new agreement provides increased wages and improved working conditions as well as increased per diem and other allowances.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT FALL 2010

John Heise, FAIR President FAIR EXECUTIVE BOARD GATHERS,
PLANS FOR FUTURE

Recently the Executive Board of FAIR gathered for a two day seminar designed to plot the course of the future of our Union. I was taught a long time ago to “plan your work and work your plan”.

FAIR Vice Presidents are spread out all over the country. We meet regularly via teleconference to conduct the business of the Union, share ideas, and provide direction. However, there is only so much you can do over the phone in a couple of hours. It’s important for our Vice Presidents to meet in these seminars where two days are devoted to the growth and development of FAIR. As all FAIR officers work full time for the UFCW, the days spent by your Executive Board are personal days given up in the execution of their duties.

I can share with you firsthand, after chairing the meetings for those two days, that the commitment of your FAIR Executive Board has never been greater.

FAIR has been growing and will continue to grow with the leadership your Executive Board provides.

Fraternally,

John Heise, FAIR President

JOHN W. HEISE
Proud President of FAIR

FAIR MEMBERS REPRESENT NEARLY ONE THIRD OF THE ENTIRE UFCW MEMBERSHIP

When the thought came about as to how many UFCW members the membership of FAIR represents, it wasn’t a surprise to learn that it is approximately 350,000 members.

FAIR members……..the men and women who go out every day and talk to workers about the benefits of the Union. They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. They don’t just work for the Union, they’re members themselves. Proud to have their own Collective Bargaining Agreement that protects their rights on the job.