UFCW
News Service
Responsible Job Creation is
Essential to Rebuilding Economy
Job creation is essential
to combating the
U.S. recession. But creating
quality jobs that allow workers to earn a living wage with
affordable health care is the only way to improve our
economy. The following two pieces address the kind of jobs our
cities need to create. The first is an op-ed in the Chicago
Tribune by Ron Powell, President of UFCW Local 881,
about creating good jobs in
Chicago. The second is a press release about the
efforts of UFCW Local 23 to ensure that collectively-bargained
wage and benefit standards for workers in our core industries
are maintained in publicly-subsidized development.
Accountable job growth
Powell, Ronald E.
"Accountable Job Growth" Opinion Editorial. _The Chicago
Tribune_ 30 Dec 2009:
Once again the Chicago
Tribune is continuing to paint the Wal-Mart debate as the unions
versus Wal-Mart ("Chicago. Wal-Mart.
It's Time," Editorial, Dec. 18). This position is a complete
misrepresentation and disregards the facts. The fundamental
issue is job quality and employer accountability to protect
workers and our communities. The push to maintain and expand
quality retail jobs in Chicago is being driven by community and
elected leaders who see Wal-Mart's desire to expand here as an
opportunity to create a positive dynamic that benefits workers,
employers and taxpayers. While Local 881 UFCW and other labor
organizations support these efforts, there are far more
participants in the quest for quality jobs than just labor
unions. A strong and diverse coalition of residents, religious
and community activists are working to ensure that future retail
job growth is planned in a responsible, accountable way.
As job opportunities in the retail sector replace the lost
industrial jobs that offered living wages, health and retirement
benefits, the only way to truly benefit our communities is to
create a balance through quality jobs. It is no secret that the
wages and benefits at non-union retailers are far inferior to
the industrial jobs they are replacing.
The unions fully support responsible job-creation efforts; we
are for protecting all workers -- union and non-union alike. But
effective job creation must be conducted responsibly.
Would Chicago allow an employer to
open that would release toxic pollution into our neighborhoods
on the promise of 300 jobs? Elected leaders would not allow such
an employer without legally binding protections set in place to
ensure that the community and the workers were protected.
We know Wal-Mart's record and it is time that this company
stepped up its behavior.
The true obstructionists are those who refuse to be held
accountable for their business practices and how those practices
impact our economy. Our current economic woes are due to the
shortsightedness of a few individuals. Chicago
residents deserve comprehensive standards, which will protect
them on the job, beyond the ceremonial ribbon cutting and
grand-opening activities. People want jobs, but they want jobs
that will lift people up, not perpetuate a downward spiral and
erosion of current standards. Chicago
aldermen and community leaders are seeking to protect future
workers from wage and hour violations, litigation and court
costs by seeking to establish a legally binding agreement
outlining wages, benefits and other community standards before
Wal-Mart is allowed to further expand. Responsible job growth
demands accountability.
-- Ronald E. Powell,
president, Local 881 and UFCW international vice president,
Rosemont
Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune
WAGE
BILL "MAJOR VICTORY FOR
PITTSBURGH'S WORKING FAMILIES," SAYS
FOODAND COMMERCIAL WORKERS
UNION
Legislation ensures good-paying jobs and economic benefits to
Pittsburgh
community
PITTSBURGH,
PA—Yesterday the Pittsburgh City Council
voted unanimously to enact a prevailing-wage law for service and
retail jobs in publicly subsidized development. The passage of
this legislation was due to a strong coalition of faith,
environmental, community and labor organizations, including
United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 23.
Workers in building and food service, grocery store and hotel
industries will benefit from this bill, including thousands of
UFCW members working in those industries.
The Pittsburgh Prevailing Wage bill will make sure that
collectively-bargained wage and benefit standards for workers in
those industries are maintained in publicly-subsidized
development. Wage standards assure pay of between $10 and $14/hr
plus health insurance and other benefits to all jobs created by
subsidies of over $100,000 in projects of over 100,000 square
feet.
Over the past five months, the
Pittsburgh UNITED coalition of labor, faith,
environmental, and community groups worked tirelessly to help
formulate and pass this legislation, which will have a positive
impact on the city's economic future. They knocked on doors,
called their council members, gathered petition signatures, and
attended numerous council hearings.
This is a major victory for working families in
Pittsburgh. It means developers who take taxpayer
money must promise to maintain the standard wages—and that's
good for everyone: workers, business, and the community. Service
and retail industry jobs like these are the jobs of the future,
and yesterday the Pittsburgh City Council voted to make sure
those jobs will pay enough to raise a family and benefit our
community.
The represents more than
1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail, meatpacking, food
processing and poultry industries.
UFCW News Service
www.ufcw.org