Health Fair at Flying Foods Newark
Local 1102 member Isaac Thomas having his blood pressure tested
One of the important missions of Local 1102 is to keep our members healthy. Flying Foods Newark members had their blood pressure checked, glucose tested and were given diet and nutritional counseling. They also learned about heart health, diabetes, and the importance of a balanced diet. Healthcare workers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, who spoke Spanish, French Creole and Chinese, performed the screenings. Participants also registered for free mammograms, which are vital to saving lives.
Local 1102 RWDSU Members win a fair contract at Flying Food Group JFK and Newark
RWDSU Local 1102 members were able to ratify two strong new contracts. They did more than secure wage increases and job security for the life of their contracts, they were able to secure benefits now scarce throughout the airline catering industry.
The Local 1102 members at both JFK and Newark airports were able to protect paid time off benefits such as holidays, vacations, sick days and personal days. The company maintained that the current benefits are above what their counterparts have within the industry. Local 1102 members stood united and would not accept a reduction in these benefits negotiated and preserved contract after contract.
Local 1102 members showed the importance of having a Union contract to protect benefits and to guarantee them wage increases over the life of their respective collective bargaining agreements.
“We are happy to have maintained our paid time off benefits, knowing that others no longer enjoy what we have” said Shirley Drennon a long time shop steward for Local 1102 at Flying Food JFK.
Stonybrook University Cooks Win Improved Pact
The nearly 200 members of Local 1102 who work in food service at Stony Brook University in Long Island, New York ratified a new three-year pact. Negotiations proved to be difficult, but resulted in a good contract that improved wages and benefits.
“It was a tough and drawn-out process. We had eight bargaining sessions, but we stood together and we succeeded,” said committee member Ed Reiter.
Vacation time and other benefits proved to be sticking points during negotiations with Compass Group Lackmann Culinary Services. But union members stood behind the negotiating committee, and in the end they were able to protect the rights and privileges of every member in the bargaining unit. In addition, the committee was able to win increases for the health fund to maintain medical coverage and secure wage increases in each year of the agreement.
Serving on the negotiating committee were Reiter, John Schwenk, Rich Meisner, Jose Nunez, Chris Chester and Diogenes Valerio.
Local 1102 Aramark, NYU Members Reach Accord
The Local 1102 members who work for Aramark at the NYU dining halls and specialty stores knew that the upcoming contract negotiations were going to be tough. The current economic conditions, the expectations on exceeding the newly enacted NYC Health codes and the delivery of exceptional service to one of the world’s premier Universities would intimidate many groups, however the Local 1102 members met the challenge with their usual can do attitude.
The well-seasoned and well-informed negotiation team included Local 1102 members, Yvette Bailey, Ricardo Tabuteau, Chris Smith, Olivia Jackson, Tyrone Staton, Adrienne Lawson, and Sally Bouyer.
“The negotiations were difficult due to the multiple issues involved, economic, work rules and health and pension benefits. However, the membership stood together and we were able to bring out a contract that included wage increases and the protection and improvements of benefits,” said Ms. Yvette Bailey a long-time Local 1102 member and shop steward.
The hard work paid off as the multi-year contract was passed unanimously at the ratification meeting.
“This type of agreement, which we were proud to bring out to the membership, shows how important Unions and collective bargaining can be to working families,” said Ms Olivia Jackson another committee member and shop steward.
Local 1102 of the RWDSU is multi-faceted Union representing workers in many industries with food service being just one. “Working people of all industries deserve the respect and benefits that come with Union membership. Food service workers are quite often exploited, whether in below scale wages, manipulation of hours, poor or no benefits. Local 1102 is there to ensure and protect workers’ rights,” said Frank Bail, President.
The successful contract at NYU once again proves the benefits of being a Local 1102 member.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Bertha Micieli was born in Mexico and came to the USA in 1969. Bertha, a 19 year employee and Union member at Truetech, has attended every year, every session and virtually every week of English as a Second Language class offered by the Union. Yet Bertha speaks English proficiently. Truetech manufactures goods and supplies for the United States Government. When asked why she did this, she explained
“To help make younger workers, who may feel insecure about taking the classes, feel more at ease. I am at the end of my working days and it’s not important for me to take the classes, it is important to these young people starting out. They just don’t realize how speaking English can make their lives better. If I go and encourage them, they are more likely to go too.”
A working wife, mother, grandmother, Bertha’s time is valuable but she find time to help her fellow worker however she can. She was an active negotiating committee member for the past several contracts. Many thanks to Bertha, for her generosity and loyalty to the union and her coworkers.
Vision Screening for Flying Foods Members
RWDSU Local 1102, in partnership with employer Flying Foods, which supplies food to airplanes, has sponsored an eye checkup program with the Vision Screening company. Over 100 Flying Foods workers at JFK airport in New York took advantage of a free preliminary screening, and 75 of them used a free voucher which entitled them to an extensive eye exam and a pair of single or bifocal glasses.
The program will continue shortly for Flying Foods workers at Newark Airport in New Jersey.