SECRETARY-TREASURER’S REPORT

Don’t Let Rumors and
Propaganda Distract
And Divide Us!

ith supermarket contract negotiations under way, the usual propaganda is making the rounds in the stores. This is when some employers all of a sudden develop a newfound sense of concern for you as a worker. Don’t be fooled!

    There are some who want our members to be confused and divided when it is time to bargain for a new contract. An unfocused work force with weak ties to its Union is less able to resist give-backs and take-aways.
    Fortunately, our members don’t fit that profile. We are strong and united.

    We won’t be fooled by deceptions and divisive rhetoric. But that doesn’t mean they won’t try.
Get the Facts
    Thanks to our Union’s state-of-theart methods of communications, UFCW members in Northern California and across the country are better informed and more involved in negotiations than ever before.
    Certain entities might try to chip away at our unity with fliers, newsletters, notices attached to your paycheck and other propaganda. During this time, you might also start

hearing more rumors than usual. This is by design. Gossip is a useful tool in turning workers against each other and making them doubt the work of their Union.
    In these negotiations, our goal is to win the best possible wages, benefits, holidays, vacations and working conditions for all of our supermarket members.
    We will do all we can, but we also need you to be our eyes and ears in the stores. Let us know what is going on. If you hear any rumors or encounter anything from the employer

that doesn’t sound right, contact your Steward or District Union Representative so your Union can set the record straight.
    For accurate and current information, you can look to your Union bulletin board, the Voice of Action and our website, www.ufcw8.org. Also, you will be receiving telephone updates on the negotiations from President Loveall.
    We can achieve our objectives when we stand united and stay focused on our goals.
Solidarity Works!