31st Annual Shop Stewards Seminar
President John T. Niccollai welcomed more than 370 Shop Stewards to the 31st Annual UFCW Local 464A Shop Stewards Seminar. The daylong event was hosted at the union’s headquarters in Little Falls, NJ on October 20, 2009.
Pleased to see the large contingent on hand for the seminar, Niccollai told them “This is where I love to be, here with you running this seminar. Those of you who know me well understand that leading Local 464A is not my job, it’s my life.” He went on to praise the Shop Stewards for the important work they do on behalf of all of the Local 464A members and their families.
“You don’t have an easy job. The members need you, and the union needs you. We appreciate what you do every day. In life certain people are the thought leaders of their generation and that’s what each of you are to the members you support. I hope you will go back to the stores and enlighten the membership with the information you gain today. We would not be the organization that we are without you. We thank you.”
President John T. Niccollai Welcomes the Shop Stewards
President Niccollai then introduced Patrick J. O’Neill, Executive Vice President & Director of Organizing at the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW International). O’Neill opened his remarks by lauding Niccollai and Local 464A for its preeminent role as one of the most important Locals across all of UFCW International. “There are 400 UFCW Local unions in the U.S. and Canada. Not all of them with the size and strength of Local 464A. Because of what you do here at Local 464A all of the UFCW is stronger and better.” O’Neill addressed the role of the Shop Steward telling the audience that they are the face of the union to most of its members. Then he focused on current political issues by telling them “We are at a turning point in our country, one that will determine what we look like in the next generation.”
He cited a famous statement by former U. S. Senator Dick Gephart:
Workers and management, Democrats and Republicans are all concerned about low wages. Workers and Democrats see it as a problem. Management and Republicans see it as the solution.
He talked about the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) stating that it is the number one priority of UFCW. He called the legislation the first meaningful labor law reform since passage of the Wagner act in 1935. With passage of the legislation and its two important components, card mandated elections and binding arbitration, O’Neill predicted that organizers would finally have a level playing field when attempting to organize service industry behemoths such as Wal-Mart and its 1.4 million employees.
Patrick J.O'Neill, Executive VP UFCW International
Passaic County Democratic Committee Chairman, John Curry, introduced four candidates for county office each of whom spoke to the Shop Stewards of their commitment to workers and the labor movement. Parents who are union members raised all four and two of the candidates are current union members today. Curry closed his introductions by urging the audience to get out and vote on Election Day, November 3.
President Niccollai echoed Curry’s mandate by telling the Stewards “Not all change is good. For example we had a change from Bill Clinton to George Bush and we all know what that meant. In just two weeks we are going to elect a new Governor. We need to have elected friends in public office.”
John Curry, Passaic County Chairman
Niccollai then introduced Governor John Corzine calling him an honorable and honest man who is concerned about the citizens and problems of New Jersey. “He consistently supports the policies and programs that help unions and all working people.”
Governor Corzine told the audience that he stands up for labor every time there is a need to fight so that people have a right to negotiate. He promised to stand with Local 464A and all unions if he is elected for the next four years. (Click here for the full report on Corzine’s speech).
Governor Jon Corzine
Dr. Michael Credico brought the message of ‘How to Use the Secret’ to the seminar by telling the Shop Stewards that it is common for people to beat themselves up mentally.
“If we think negatively it will eventually take a toll on our health. The key is to invoke the law of optimism.” Credico said the real secret is the law of attraction. This law, he said, can be used to bring good things into our lives by practicing three things:
1. Ask – Be crystal clear about what want in your thoughts, always in a positive way.
2. Believe – Be like a child, make believe. Have a passion about it.
3. Receive – Ask once, and believe you have received it. Feel good about yourselves.
He told the audience that practicing this power of positive thinking is easy once the effort is made. He advised the Stewards to accept change and to learn to live with it in a positive manner and good things will happen.
Dr. Michael Credico on "The Secret"
Recorder Frank Hanley, Jr. proudly introduced the Local 464A organizing team and cited a recently won union election. He said that organizing is networking and urged the Stewards to help Local 464A’s organizing efforts to become bigger and stronger.
Local 464A Recorder Frank Hanley, Jr.
In the afternoon motivational speaker and professional comedian, Jeff Justice entertained the audience with a series of exercises designed to poke fun at human nature. But he had an ulterior message that resonated with the crowd when he said that humor helps people break down their resistance to one another. “Doing something fun is the best way to tap into the positive energy that is always inside of us all. Humor opens the door to communication so that people can deal with their problems.”
Comedian Jeff Justice (R) Preparing a Demonstration
The keynote speaker of the afternoon was Beth Schulman, Civil Rights attorney, consultant and author of a book on how unions can resuscitate the middle class in America. Schulman cited the American Dream, a core value meaning if we work hard we can have a good life. She said work in America is failing to deliver on that dream for most Americans today. She depicted a shift from a manufacturing society to a service economy where most of today’s jobs are part-time, with low wages, no benefits, little time off and no training to enable professional growth. “Sound familiar?” she asked, “That’s the same situation workers faced coming out of the Great Depression, but unions fought for the minimum wage, health care benefits, pensions and workplace safety that enabled the middle class to thrive during the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Then Reagonomics took hold in the 80s and we’ve seen a steady decline ever since.”
She described the employment practices of Wal-Mart and other service oriented businesses and said these are the kinds of companies, ripe for union representation, which, if organized, can be made to resurrect the American Dream for its workers and resuscitate America’s middle class.
She described the employment practices of Wal-Mart and other service oriented businesses and said these are the kinds of companies, ripe for union representation, which, if organized, can be made to resurrect the American Dream for its workers and resuscitate America’s middle class.
To further illustrate the decline of America’s middle class Schulman told the Stewards that during the 1950s unions represented 35% of American workers. “Today that number has dropped to 7%. At the height of union representation businesses accepted an obligation to look after the concerns of their customers, their workers and their shareholders. With the election of Ronald Reagan companies began a fundamental shift that has resulted in concern that is almost solely focused on the shareholder. Wages have stagnated, costs have been cut to the bone primarily by the erosion of worker benefits, all in the name of shareholder value.”
She then listed eight actions that must be taken to revive the middle class:
1. Establish a realistic minimum wage, one that workers can actually live on.
2. Government procurement policies that deal only with companies that provide good jobs to their employees.
3. Access to health care for every American citizen.
4. Time off so that workers can be with their families in time of need. “Other countries do this, we are the late-comers.”
5. Training, especially for workers who are forced to change jobs.
6. Proper and financially realistic retirement pensions. “The average annual Social Security benefit is only $17,000/yr.”
7. Early and competent education for all children.
8. More jobs. “Today there is only one job for every six American workers.”
Her solution to solve the problems:
1. Get a Union and have a voice – Unions negotiate good wages and benefits
2. Congress must pass the Employee free Choice Act (EFCA) – America must have labor laws that are enforced so that American businesses don’t take the low road with their workers.
In closing Ms. Schulman told the audience:
Businesses cannot compete on the basis of impoverishing their workers. It’s a decision about what kind of America we want to create. Unions are more important than ever.
Author & Attorney Beth Schulman
President Niccollai introduced the day’s final speaker, Richard J. Whalen, UFCW International Vice President and Director of Region One. Niccollai lauded Whalen as a fair man and friend to Local 464A. Whalen acknowledged Niccollai’s praise by turning to him and stating, “John’s leadership has propelled UFCW Local 464A into the top tier of the International’s 400 Locals. In fact, I think 464A is one of the top 2 or 3 Locals in all of UFCW. That’s due to three things: competent negotiation of excellent contracts, an engaged membership and, capable leadership.”
Whalen then turned his remarks to the Shop Stewards, “You are the union and you often do not get the credit you deserve.”
He outlined the two priorities of UFCW International; EFCA and health care reform. On EFCA he said that organizing more workers is critical to the success of the UFCW Unity program. “Labor law reform must be enacted so that America’s middle class can be restored. If employers do something illegal they should go to jail.” He said that Local 464A has transformed itself into an organizing Local and praised the work that President Niccollai and his team are doing to bring more workers into the union.
On health care reform Whalen wanted the audience to understand that those people who so vehemently oppose it already have it. But, he said the 48 million who are uninsured and rely upon emergency rooms for their care are siphoning 30 cents from every dollar that employers now devote to health care insurance for their workers. “I submit that reform will lower costs for everyone simply by covering those who do not have coverage today.”
Whalen then turned his remarks to the Shop Stewards, “You are the union and you often do not get the credit you deserve.”
He outlined the two priorities of UFCW International; EFCA and health care reform. On EFCA he said that organizing more workers is critical to the success of the UFCW Unity program. “Labor law reform must be enacted so that America’s middle class can be restored. If employers do something illegal they should go to jail.” He said that Local 464A has transformed itself into an organizing Local and praised the work that President Niccollai and his team are doing to bring more workers into the union.
On health care reform Whalen wanted the audience to understand that those people who so vehemently oppose it already have it. But, he said the 48 million who are uninsured and rely upon emergency rooms for their care are siphoning 30 cents from every dollar that employers now devote to health care insurance for their workers. “I submit that reform will lower costs for everyone simply by covering those who do not have coverage today.”
Governor Corzine with Region 1 Director Richard J. Whalen
At the close of the seminar President Niccollai addressed the American political system.”10% of America’s workers are doing well. The other 90% are just getting by. That is a national disgrace. Much of this can be traced to politicians who no longer work for the benefit of the people they represent, but rather for themselves. Three steps must be taken to remedy this:
1. Take the power of money out of the political system by establishing a publicly funded program. Limit the amount that each candidate can spend and send anyone who exceeds this amount to jail.
2. End career politicians who are destroying our country. Establish term limits!
3. Get rid of all lobbyists. These are people who will promote anything for money regardless of whether it is good for the country or not."
He then thanked the Shop Stewards for their important contributions to the well being of their fellow Local 464A members. He urged them to vote on Election Day and to help their friends and family members who may not enjoy the benefits of union representation, by encouraging them to learn more about how union representation can make a difference in their lives.
President John T. Niccollai Closes the 31st Annual Seminar
