UFCW Local 663

Products And Services

• Why Union?

  Workers Need Fair Treatment Today as Much as Ever Employers are trying to shed responsibility for providing health insurance, good pension coverage, reasonable work hours and job safety protections. Additionally, companies are making workers' jobs and incomes less secure through downsizing, part-timing, contracting out, and sending jobs off-shore. As the nature of work changes, working people need the collective voice and bargaining power unions provide to keep employers from making the workplace look as it did in the early nineteenth century. By joining the union and becoming a UFCW Local 663 member, you will have the power to make your employer negotiate a collective agreement that ensures you get good pay, better benefits and respect on the job. The reason owners and bosses often speak badly about unions is because they don’t want to give up power and control to You – the workers - the people who make the company so successful in the first place. By exercising your right to join the union, you are taking control of your wages and working conditions and making sure you and your co-workers are treated with dignity and respect. Make a Difference With most of the economic benefits of our economy going to corporate America, working people are using the power of collective action to get their fair share. Every worker deserves affordable health insurance, prescription drug coverage, living wages, safe working conditions, equal opportunity, a secure pension and a voice in the workplace. Join Together Working families never got anything without uniting for it! Here's a small list of what the power of coming together in the workplace has achieved: - The 40-hour workweek - The 8-hour workday - Overtime - Sick leave - Paid vacation - Company-paid health insurance - Pensions - Safety and health protections - Grievance procedure for violation of worker rights - Fairness in promotions and assignments - Higher wages and fair treatment on the job - Right to respect from managers Union Benefits When workers stick together as a union, they have bargaining power and a collective voice that they simply do not have when they are not unionized. Being a member of a union not only gives you a better position to get better wages, benefits and working conditions, you also get job security. Non-union workers have limited rights and can be fired “at-will” for no reason – just because your boss is having a bad day and decides he/she doesn’t want you around anymore. Non-union workers also find that the rules can change at the whim of the employer. - One day you have paid holidays and vacations and next week you don’t - A raise is promised but never given - You’ve got too many hours one week but the next you’re not making enough to get by With a union contract, everything is spelled out in black and white, as decided upon between the workers’ negotiating committee and the employer during bargaining, and the rules don’t change until workers renegotiate. For instance, raises are guaranteed, holidays, vacations, hours, etc. can all be defined by the contract. In addition, discipline and firing isn’t at the whim of the employer for union members. There are certain rules the boss has to go through, a series of steps, to show that they have just cause for discipline or firing you. Throughout this time, a union representative will be working on your behalf to represent you and make sure you get a fair deal and your rights are protected. Getting A Union (Becoming A Union) The first step is to form a committee among the workers with representatives from each department and shift. The committee’s job is to attend meetings and educate themselves about the Union. Then they can educate their co-workers and help dispel false information spread by management. Next, the majority of the employees must sign cards stating they want to have a Union in their workplace. After a majority of workers have signed up, the Union can ask the employer to recognize the Union or file a petition for an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). When the Union files for an election, then the employees have a chance to vote for the Union in a secret ballot election conducted by the government. If the Union wins a majority of votes, and the employer does not challenge the vote on legal grounds, then the Union can begin the process of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement (contract). Collective Bargaining Collective bargaining takes place between two groups – one composed of the negotiating committee and your union representative and the other composed of representatives from management.

  Link: Why Union?

• Members Benefits

  Member Benefits The Member Benefits page provides you with the union benefits and opportunities you have earned by being a UFCW Local member. There are many items to choose from that can add value to your life. Contracts UFCW Local 663's collective bargaining agreements listed by employer. Who's My Rep? Meet your union representative for your workplace. Tickets At Work Discount And Giveaways Sign up for Local 663 discount ticket program! Ours Resort Ours Resort is a year-round resort open specifically for active union members. FREE Classes & Scholarships Financial aid opportunities for union members and their families. Meetings Dates, times and locations for both Membership and Executive Union members. Union Activities Fun activities for members and their families! T.E.A.M. Wellness at work. T.E.A.M. offers assistance to solve... Union Plus Union Plus consumer benefits brought to you by Union Privilege. Retirees Club View dates, time and location for Retirees Club meetings. LifeMart Save money on anything from child care to household appliances! LMRDA & Other Federal Labor & Employment Laws The rights and resources our union provides that protects you on the job.

  Link: Members Benefits

• Health & Welfare and Pension

  It is vital that you have access to the resources needed when inquiring about benefits. You may call or visit Wilson-McShane to discuss the status of claims, prior authorizations, overall coverage, pension benefits and payments, direct deposit, eligibility, etc. Wilson-McShane is pleased to provide access to our dedicated team in a variety of ways below. Wilson-McShane Corporation 3001 Metro Drive, Suite 500 Bloomington, MN 55425 Email: mrmc@wilson-mcshane.com Website: www.663benefits.com Phone: 952-851-5797 Toll-Free: 1-844-468-5917 General Fax: 952-854-1632

  Link: Health & Welfare and Pension

• Unfair Labor Practice Report

  Do you believe something happened to you while at work that is protected activity? Fill out the form in the link below if you need help with an incident that you believe put your rights in jeopardy. A union representative will review your confidential report and contact you for follow up.

  Link: Unfair Labor Practice Report