As an employee in a private-sector bargaining unit, you are represented by UFCW Local 1445. Whether you are a new employee or not, this may be the first time you have been represented by a union, and you may have some questions as to what this means to you. Union representation means that Local 1445 on your behalf negotiates and administers a legally binding contract known as a collective bargaining agreement that sets forth your wages, benefits, hours, and all your working conditions. Because all employees negotiate together through the union, union members nearly always receive higher wages and better benefits than non-union workers doing comparable jobs! Local 1445 represents more than 12,000 members throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. We represent employees in cannabis, retail-food and non-food, industrial laundries, cafeterias, transit, public sector, human services, as well as healthcare industries. Local 1445 is chartered by the UFCW International Union, one of the largest unions in the AFL-CIO, representing over 1.3 million members in the United States and Canada. The UFCW continues to grow by winning state and federal organizing elections and adapting to changes in today’s society. Local 1445 prides itself on the level of service provided to the members of our bargaining units. Not only are you represented by the rank-and-file stewards in the workplace but also by the local union’s full-time union representatives, who are assigned to service your work location. The union representatives of Local 1445 are directed by the President and are responsible for assisting stewards and handling grievances and complaints while enforcing the union’s contract in the workplace. Local 1445 is a non-profit organization that exists for social and economic justice for all workers that we represent. Undeniably, it takes money to carry out all of the functions and responsibilities to run a Local on behalf of the workers we represent. Membership dues are used for salaries of office staff and representatives, offices, equipment, postage, legal fees, supplies, and printing as well as the the UFCW International Union per capita payment. Union members have to approve every dollar spent, and the union is required by law to account for all income and expenditures. Money you pay in dues helps maintain the durability needed to win successful union contracts. Union members pay dues for the same like-minded reason that churches, charities, foundations, professional associations and clubs pay dues. It costs money to run, defend and promote the interests of the membership. Union membership dues are payable weekly or monthly and may be deducted from your pay or billed directly. Dues/Agency Fee If you work in the private sector in states such as Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire where union security agreements are permitted and you are working under a UFCW contract containing a union security clause, you are required, as a condition of employment, to pay an initiation fees to cover the administrative costs of enrollment and to pay either membership dues or, if you choose not to join the union, a reduced fee to help subsidize matters germane to the collective bargaining process, commonly known as an agency fee. Currently the Agency fee is 89.88% of your total monthly dues. The difference between full dues and agency fees is as follows: Full Time Employees: Membership dues rate $14.00/week Agency fee payer rate $12.58/week Part Time Employees: Membership dues rate $12.00/week Agency fee payer rate $10.78/week Anyone who has questions about their current dues rates and the amount of agency fee can contact Secretary-Treasurer Fabricio DaSilva (781) 461-6775 ext. 124 or email at Fdasilva@ufcwlocal1445.org. The agency fee reflects your share of the Union’s expenditures for collective bargaining, grievances and arbitrations, contract administration and representation, as well as other matters germane to collective bargaining and that may inure to the benefit of employees in your bargaining unit. Expenditures in the following categories of activity have been treated as chargeable in calculating the agency fee: 1. Gathering information from employees concerning collective bargaining proposals. 2. Gathering information in preparation for the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. 3. Negotiating collective bargaining agreements. 4. Adjusting grievances and conducting arbitrations pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. 5. Conducting ratification proceedings for negotiated agreements. 6. Providing information on negotiations, or on provisions in collective bargaining agreements, as well as on matters relating to representation in the collective bargaining process and contract administration. 7. Purchasing books, reports, and advance sheets used in matters relating to representation in the collective bargaining process and contract administration. 8. Paying technicians and professionals in labor law, economics, and other subjects for services used in (a) negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements, and (b) processing grievances and conducting arbitrations. 9. Opposing efforts by other unions or organizing committees to gain representation rights in units represented by the Union. 10. Participating in proceedings regarding the jurisdiction of the Union. 11. Publishing those portions of newspapers and newsletters which relate to bargaining and representation. 12. Participating in lawful impasse procedures, and fact finding, mediation, arbitration, and economic action intended to secure favorable collective bargaining agreements and favorable resolution of grievances. 13. Prosecuting and defending litigation or charges before administrative agencies relating to ratification, interpretation, or enforcement of collective bargaining agreements. 14. Supporting and paying affiliation fees to UFCW and subordinate bodies of the UFCW to the extent that such support and fees have been determined by UFCW to be germane to the Union’s representational activities. 15. Prosecuting and defending litigation or charges relating to concerted activity, the duty of fair representation and collective bargaining, as well as collective bargaining agreements and any other chargeable activities. 16. Providing social and recreational activities open to all represented employees. 17. Organizing new workers in support of collective bargaining in labor markets where UFCW already represents workers. 18. Governing the Union, and conducting union elections. 19. Conducting general membership meetings and conventions. 20. Organizing new members to make the Local union stronger. In calculating the agency fee, the Union did not include any share of expenditures relating to a number of activities not related to collective bargaining, including the following: 1. Training in or actual voter registration, get-out-vote, and political campaigns. 2. Supporting and contributing to charitable organizations. 3. Supporting and contributing to political organizations and candidates for public office. 4. Supporting and contributing to ideological causes and committees. 5. Supporting and contributing to activities relating to foreign affairs. 6. Providing benefits available only to members. 7. Litigation not related to collective bargaining or to the Union’s function as an exclusive representative. By choosing to be a non- member/reduce fee payer you will lose the following rights:
In considering these important matters, we believe that the more workers who elect full union membership, the greater our strength to improve your wages, hours, and other working conditions through collective bargaining with your employer. We strongly encourage you to participate in the Union and maintain your membership. Nevertheless, Local 1445 will continue to represent all workers in the bargaining. If you nonetheless choose to be a non-member, you may submit a letter to the following address or send an email that includes your name, home address, last four digits of your social security number, employer, work location, department, and job title to: Fabricio DaSilva, Secretary-Treasurer UFCW, Local 1445 30 Stergis Way Dedham, MA 02026 fdasilva@ufcwlocal1445.org You can choose to pay your membership dues or agency fee either by authorizing a weekly deduction from your pay or by paying the Union directly by sending your monthly payment on or before the first of the month, every month to the address above. Also available upon written request to the above address or e-mail, non-member/agency fee payers will be provided with a copy of the Union’s calculation of expenditures for chargeable and nonchargeable activities based on our most recent accounting period. You also have the right to challenge the amount of the agency fee. If you file a challenge, the Union will place into an interest-bearing escrow account the portion of the agency fees collected from you that is reasonably in dispute. The Union participates in a procedure through the Labor Relations Connection under which a reasonably prompt decision will be rendered by an independent decision-maker on all challenges to the amount of the agency fee. The Arbitrator will be selected by the Labor Relations Connection. All challenges will be consolidated for a single hearing. The Arbitrator will have authority to determine if the amount of the agency fee is correct and to order any adjustments therein, if necessary, and to order that the funds being held in the interest-bearing escrow account be distributed in accordance with the Arbitrator’s opinion. The arbitration will be scheduled and conducted in accordance with the Labor Relations Connection’s rules and regulations. The Arbitrator’s fees and expenses will be paid by the Union. If you file a challenge you may be represented at the arbitration hearing but will be responsible for your own expenses for representation at the hearing. If you wish to challenge the calculation of your agency fee as described above, you must do so in writing by mailing notice of your challenge to the Union’s Secretary/Treasurer at the address above. Include a statement of the amount of the reduction sought and the reasons such reduction is warranted. You should include your name, address and employer, as well as the word “challenge.” Your challenge must be postmarked no later than 30 days after you receive this notice. In solidarity, Fabricio DaSilva Secretary-Treasurer, UFCW Local 1445
Page Last Updated: Mar 19, 2020 (10:38:47)
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