UFCW Michigan Activist Committee Forming

February 20, 2012 - The November 2012 general election will determine the direction Michigan and the nation will take for at least the next four years. Electing candidates that have a proven track record of protecting the middle class will take a great deal of strategic planning, grass root communications and hard work.

Members are encouraged to take an active role in the political process by joining the newly-formed Activist Committee. A comprehensive, membership-driven field plan is currently in motion, and requires the efforts of all union members.

UFCW Michigan, along with We Are the People, and multiple community groups will be working together, training together and turning our the vote together! Download your form here, and return it to your union representative or mail it to the UFCW 951 office, care of Political Activist Committee.

Pictured from left to right: Rodney Swinkey, Meijer #881 Newport, DC; 951 Union Representative John Fuller, Senate Majority Leader, District 17, Randy Richardville; Jeff Lambrix, Meijer #881, Newport DC; Carrie Niswender, Meijer #67 in Monroe; and Jamie Peacock, Meijer #173, Ann Arbor.

Activist Committees Take Message to Lansing

October 18, 2011 - One of 951's legislative goals is to reach out to elected officials who are in support of the right-to-work bill, and to provide additional information in regard to the harmful effects it would have in our communities.

"Unfortunately, the current legislature has made haste in cutting important programs that are perceived as needed to restore the state's financial health, but fell short of looking at the long-term repercussions of these actions," Marv Russow, Local 951's president said.

"Many of these short-sighted cuts will result in destroying the middle class for the long-term, which creates an even bigger issue for the state," he said. "Right-to-work legislation has the potential to place many workers in jeopardy by eliminating the protections of their contractual benefits," Russow said.

In reaction to these hasty legislative measures, UFCW Michigan began mobilizing both stewards and active members this summer, and as a result of specialized training, were able to create several activist committees in select districts. These committees then took communications to the next level, where meetings were arranged to meet their senator in Lansing.

"Right-to-work supporters and their friends in the media are distorting the truth about right-to-work," Russow said. "It is important UFCW 951 members understand the reality of right-to-work and share the facts with others."

The 99% Encouraged to Register to Vote

October 13, 2011 - Getting registered to vote in the upcoming presidential and legislative elections on November 6, 2012, is so important to working families. We are the 99 percent, and we represent the majority interest in this country. If we move together during this upcoming election year, stay informed, and cast a ballot for worker-friendly candidates, we can defeat the efforts of corporate interest and its anti-worker, anti-union politicians.

And all it takes is for you to vote. But you have to register to do this.

How to Register:
1. Obtain an application to register and fill it out: (Be sure to register 30 days before the election you intend to vote)
5. Hand-deliver to your registration form to a local Secretary of State office, or mail in your application:
6. Clerk will then mail a voter card to your home. This card will have the location you can vote at;
7. On November 6 - get to your assigned polling location in your township, village or municipality and vote! Remember to bring your voter card and an acceptable photo identification or a signed affidavits if you don't have a photo id.

What to remember when registering:
1. You must be a US and Michigan citizen; be a citizen of the town you are registering in; and you must be 18 years old;

2. If you move to a new city or township, you must re-register. If you move within a city or township and are already registered to vote, you only need to update your address.

3. If you are in jail, awaiting arraignment or trial, you may register to vote. If you are in jail after being convicted and sentenced, you may not register to vote or vote while you are confined.

4. Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote www.Michigan.gov/vote for information about registering to vote and voting, voting equipment, polling place locations, state and local ballots, the candidates, campaign finance and more. Your local clerk can help with questions about your voter registration, polling place location and working at the polls