unionwize nov/dec 2012

continued on page 3…

from the president’s desk …

Wellness Programs Help Us Stay Healthy

In our recent Kroger bargaining, we negotiated the use of a Health Risk Questionnaire and an employee’s biometrics numbers as part of that health care plan. Since this was a new concept to the Kroger bargain-ing group, the decision was made to bring in a wellness company to show us how the process would work.

Through this process, I found out my own health risk score and biometrics numbers. Though I hadn’t had those tests done prior to bargain-ing, I suspected that there were issues I needed to deal with. The whole process opened my eyes to the fact that I needed to make some lifestyle and diet changes in the near future. In fact, many on the bargaining com-mittee had a similar experience (see Secretary-Treasurer Fluharty’s own experience on page 4).

There are many different types of wellness programs. Local 1059 has different programs with differ-ent employers. The essence of these programs is to encourage individuals to take preventive measures to avert the onset or worsening of an illness by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• 59% of employees do not get ad-equate exercise

• 50% or more of employees have high cholesterol

• 27% of employees have cardiovas-cular disease

• 26% of employees are overweight by 20 percent or more

• 24% of employees have high blood pressure

These numbers are staggering to me. Key to understanding the im-portance of wellness is knowing that between 70 to 90 percent of health care spending related to disease is prevent-able by modifying unhealthy lifestyle choices. So, it is our hope that encour-aging employees and spouses to better understand their health can prevent the kinds of chronic or debilitating illness that depress our quality of life.

Certainly, there are financial reasons that preventative medicine is important to your employer and Local 1059 as well. The amount of money that we ne-gotiate to make sure health care is avail-

ver 80% of Local 1059 membership has some aspect of wellness built into their health care plan. Local 1059’s support of wellness programs is much like our support of safety in the workplace: We want you to

come home to your family in the same shape as when you left. For the long term, we want to provide the best opportunity for you to be healthy through your working years and well into retirement.

President Randy Quickel

Oable to employees and their families through the life of the contract takes money directly out of your pocket. The more money that we need to allocate to health care, the less money that is available for other financial benefits (e.g. wages, pension, vacation benefits, paid holidays).

Health care costs and spending have been increasing at an incred-ible rate. Health care spending has doubled just over the last decade! We have to slow that trend, and incorpo-rating wellness programs allow us to do that.

As I mentioned earlier, I think it is very important that our member-ship and their spouses have access to a program that allows them to know their biometrics numbers. I think it is also important that once you learn your numbers, that your health care plan provides a way for you to do something about it.

But, I am also realistic. Some people will not want to participate in these types of programs. The studies that we have seen show that 40% of people will want to participate and will fully embrace preventative care.

UFCW LOCAL 1059 NOVEMbEr / DECEMbEr 2012 VOL. 34 NO. 6

UNIONWIZE

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tsofficers’ reportsRandy Quickel, President ...........................................1 “Wellness Programs Help Us Stay Healthy”

Mark Fluharty, Secretary-Treasurer .............................4 “Wellness Programs Can Really Make a Difference”

Mark Hertenstein, Service Director ............................6 “Take Your Breaks”

Tina Morgan, Organizing Director .............................7 “We Need Labor Unions More Than Ever”

Jason Kaseman, Political Director .............................10 “The State of Ohio’s State Legislature”

Paul Smithberger, Communications Director ...........13 “Know Dependent Rules for Dependent Care Audit”

Rick Gregory, Education Director ............................14 “The Bonus Army: 1932”

featuresKroger Wellness Update ..............................................3

2012 Contract Ratifications ........................................3

Community Service ....................................................6

New Stewards ..............................................................6

Christmas with Santa ..................................................8

Discounted Movie Theater Tickets ............................10

MPOs Help Locked Out Workers .............................11

ABC Contest Winner ................................................11

Employer & Negotiation Updates .............................12

Christmas with Santa Coloring Contest Winners .....12

Contact UFCW Local 1059 by calling 614.237.7671 or 800.282.6488 and entering your party’s extension:Mark Hertenstein ................................205Neil Hertenstein ..................................217Jason Kaseman ....................................240John King ............................................204Diana Marlette ....................................239Tina Morgan .......................................235Mike Nichols ......................................214Brian Perkins .......................................244

Mack Quesenberry ..............................209John Smith ..........................................203Paul Smithberger .................................250Carlos Stiffler ......................................218Administrative Office ..........................223Dues Office .........................................229Organizing Director ............................235Service Director ...................................205

Allison Appel .......................................216J. R. Berroyer ......................................206Anthony Bridges .................................242Sylvester Carothers ..............................236Mark Derson .......................................238Bobbie Fletcher ...................................215Tom Gartner .......................................237Rhonda Helcher ..................................211

officers

UFCW Local 1059 UnionWize (USPS 567- 310) is published bi-monthly by UFCW Local 1059 at 4150 E. Main Street, Columbus OH 43213-2962. Periodicals Postage Paid at Columbus, OH.

Postmaster: Send address change to UFCW Local 1059, 4150 E. Main Street, Columbus 43213-2962.

Paul Smithberger Tina MorganCommunications Director Organizing Director

Mark Hertenstein Jason KasemanService Director Political Director

Rick Gregory Education Director

Vice PresidentsSteve Allen John Angeloff Allison Appel J. R. BerroyerLouis Cruse Frank GermanJosh Greenlee Rhonda HelcherMark Hertenstein Lonnie NewmanCheryl Hoffman Mike Nichols Brian Perkins Carol Prater Dave Renneckar Jim Ryder Gene Smith John Smith Juanita Smith Keith Smith Kim Smith Carlos Stiffler

Union RepresentativesAllison Appel J. R. BerroyerAnthony Bridges Sylvester CarothersMark Dersom Barbara FletcherTom Gartner Rhonda HelcherNeil Hertenstein John King Diana Marlette Mike Nichols Brian Perkins Mack Quesenberry John Smith Carlos Stiffler

Randy QuickelPresident/Editor

Mark FluhartySecretary-Treasurer

Barbara FletcherRecorder

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vol. 34 / no. 6 UNIONWIZE

UFCW Local 1059 | 4150 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43213 | www.ufcw1059.com

Another 20% of people will be “well-ness curious,” meaning they will at least give the program a chance. The last 40% of the people will refuse to adapt. They’ll go to the doctor or emergency room if and only if there is something terribly wrong with them.

To that last 40%, I ask that you look at the people who depend on you, your loved ones who want you around for as long as possible. Please, give these programs a chance. If not for yourself, do it for all those looking forward to spending the holidays with you—this year and for many more to come.

From me to you, best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

from the president’s desk ……continued from page 1

Attention Kroger members:

MedExpert has been hired as the wellness company for Kroger members. There will be more information coming your way about MedExpert and the services they provide. MedExpert will be handling the Health Risk Questionnaire (HRQ). You and your spouse or same sex domestic partner covered by the plan may complete the HRQ online, on paper or over the telephone. The HRQ must be completed by March 31, 2013.

To receive incentive money on your deductible, you and your spouse or same sex domestic partner covered by the plan must also report your biometrics by March 31, 2013. Biometrics testing is provided free of charge as part of the wellness program. These tests can be done at your Kroger Pharmacy or through your physician.

If you have further questions, please contact the UFCW Central Ohio Health and Welfare Office at 614.237.7618 or 800.282.6483.

Kroger Wellness Update

Kroger Negotiating Committee (back) Jackie Bar-nett-Cummings (350), Scott Foster (926), Frank Veazey (575), Cara McKnight (542), Tom Skinner (808), David Lumbard (844), Communications Di-rector Paul Smithberger, (middle) Service Director Mark Hertenstein, Doug Neese (820), Bev Hasson (522), Sharon Applin (587), Amy Jo Clark (800), Scott Adkins (UFCW Local 75), (front) Secretary-Treasurer Mark Fluharty, Lois Gabor (836), Keith Smith (299), Sheila Dingess (897), Joey Preston (824), Jim Ryder (901), President Randy Quickel

2012 Contract Ratifications

Meijer 126 Negotiating Committee (back) Com-munications Director Paul Smithberger, Jeff Schroff, Ken Ferreira, Paula Owens (front) Union Represen-tative Allison Appel, Chrissy Schuster, Deb Bivens, Service Director Mark Hertenstein

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UNIONWIZE november / december 2012


Wellness Programs Can Really Make a Differenceby Mark Fluharty, Secretary-Treasurer

hanks to Kroger

negotiations, I am a different man today. I don’t mean from the stress, anxiety and hard work of negotiations. I’m talking about my health. Like a lot of people in the United States today, I struggle with my weight and the effects it has on my health. I have fought this battle most of my life.

You might think the answer to this problem is easy: Eat right and exercise more. If it was only that simple.

When we were preparing for negotiations, we knew we were going to have to address wellness care—not only to help improve the health of our members, but also to help with the sky-rocketing cost of health care. I said to myself, “Mark, if you’re going to ask people to work on their health issues, you had better lead by example.”

So, I went to my doctor and took a health screening exam to get my biomet-

rics numbers—measures such as blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index and cholesterol. I had already been diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea and cholesterol because of my weight. I wasn’t shocked to learn that I was also pre-diabetic with borderline high blood pressure. My health was a mess.

“Mark, do you want to become diabetic? Do you want to suffer a stroke or a heart attack?” Of course, the answer was no. My daughter just got married, and I’m looking forward to grandkids. I’d also like to live long enough to retire some day.

Next, I visited a weight doctor who put me on a dietary program. When I say I’m a different man today, I’m talk-ing about the 70-plus pounds I’ve lost since the start of negotiations. It hasn’t been easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. And I’m not done yet.

Answering a health questionnaire and getting my biometrics may have saved my life. It’s definitely improved my health. I feel better, and I am seeing

improvements in both my blood pres-sure and my blood glucose levels.

If you work at Meijer, wellness has been a part of your health care for the last six years. Still, it’s a new concept for Kroger employees. No matter the financial incentives you may or may not have in your negotiated health care plan, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take advantage these preventive measures for your own health.

Answer your health questionnaire. Get your biometrics numbers. These simple measures can be taken during a simple annual physical with your family doctor or, in many stores, through the pharmacy. And they’re free.

Your employer never knows your results. Neither does the union.

There is a cost-saving component: Preventing future health issues, or even catching some problems before they get worse, is much easier to treat than a chronic health condition. But far more important than the money it saves, are the lives it can save—maybe yours.

T

Community ServiceYWCA Family Center

October 22, 2012One New Toy

December 13, 2012

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Washington,DC/Gettysburg

From its iconic monuments to its historic buildings, the capital of the United States offers a num-ber of interesting attractions, educational experiences and fun for the whole family. Add to that the

moving atmosphere of Gettysburg–the hallowed battlefield from the Civil War–and this is a truly great opportunity to glimpse the sites of great importance for our nation. Below, find more details* about the 4 day/3 night trip we are offering UFCW Local 1059 members and their families:

Thursday, april 18. The bus departs from the UFCW Local 1059 in the morning for our hotel in suburban Virginia. After dinner on your own, we will enjoy an illuminated night tour of the monuments and memorials on the west end of the National Mall. See the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Lin-coln Memorial and more lit up after the sun sets.

Friday, april 19. Begin the morning with a tour of Ford’s Theatre, the location of Pres-ident Lincoln’s assassination. See the restored presidential box where he and Mary Todd Lincoln were watching a play with insight into the conspiracy that led to that fateful night. We will then visit the Petersen House across the street where Lincoln took his final breath. From there, it’s but a few blocks to the National Archives, home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation and other historic docu-

ments. Finally, we will end the day with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

saturday, april 20. The day will start with a visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum, a powerful reminder of the atrocities that befell so many during World War II. Afterward, you will be free to take in any of the Smithsonian Museums along the National Mall, including the Air & Space, American History, American Indian and Natural History museums—each with free admission. Before returning to the hotel, we will end the day with a walk past the White House.

sunday, april 21. We will depart for Ohio in the morning with a stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. You will have plenty of time to take pictures and learn more about the history-changing battle on those grounds 150 years ago. Then, it’s back to Columbus where we will arrive at the Union Hall that evening.

$499per person

2-person room

April 18-21, 2013

A $100/person deposit is due at time of book-ing the trip. Final payment for this trip must be made on or before Friday, February 1, 2013.

WIN THIS TRIP FOR FREEAll registrants with their deposit submitted on or before January 1, 2013 will be entered into a

drawing to win this trip for FREE.

Contact Paul Smithberger at 614.237.7671 or 800.282.6488, ext. 250 for more information or purchase this trip online in the Members Area at www.ufcw1059.com

* Final itinerary may change.

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importance to workers. First, regular breaks can head off health problems including stress and exhaustion but also possible back injuries, eye or kidney damages (again, depending on the demands of your job). Another reason for break time is a fundamental part of the union philosophy: Give your employer a good day’s work for a good day’s pay. A well-rested employee is a more productive employee.

Breaks are important for each indi-vidual worker, but getting everyone to take their breaks has to happen collec-tively. Contrary to what a lot of people think, the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 does not require breaks. In fact, only nine states (California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Min-nesota, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington) have laws requiring paid 10-15 minute breaks. Only nine states out of fifty!

If people work through their breaks on a regular basis, despite that break time being guaranteed in their contract, then companies could start enforcing this “past practice.” It’s a use-it-or-lose-it situation. We all have

by Mark Hertenstein, Service Director

breaks negotiated into our contracts; we need to take them and be vigilant that everyone else takes the time to which they are entitled.

Finally, I urge our members to take their breaks for the simple fact that work can be stressful, physically and mentally. It may not seem to have an impact while you’re in your twenties or thirties, but those extra minutes each workday can add years onto our lives. We all want to live to see our children and grandchildren grow up. In so many ways, our contractual breaks help us get through the workday with a productive day behind us and many more ahead.

f your em-ployer

agreed to pay you for not work-

ing, who wouldn’t take advantage of that offer?

Apparently, far too many people—even when your contract mandates it. Some employees may not realize their contract calls for a break or two, de-pending on the hours you work. There are important health reasons for taking those breaks. Yet, many workers are pressured by supervisors—or even their co-workers—to work through their breaks. Whatever the reason, if you or your co-workers are not taking the breaks to which you are entitled, you are giving away a negotiated benefit.

Management often lets break time bunch up at the end of a shift, at which point it becomes a challenge to fit those breaks into the remaining shift. But don’t let poor management deny you your contractual right to rest during the workday.

Taking breaks is a matter of great

Take Your Breaks

Grievance reportOct.–Nov. 2012

Grievance Success Rate .........79%

Grievances Settled ................. 170

Monetary Awards ........ $9,000.00

I

Congratulations and thank you to the new stewards who were able to attend the New Stewards Training in Columbus on Mon-day, December 3.

New Stewards

7



ne of the

reasons unions were first formed was to combat greedy company owners who weren’t sharing their companies’ wealth with rank-and-file employees, the producers of that wealth. Look at the news head-lines over the past few weeks: Employ-ees are speaking out against low pay, no benefits, poor safety and disrespect.

Look at Hostess, the maker of Twinkies. Right-wing media outlets have blamed the company’s bankruptcy on a standoff with its union employees over wages and benefit costs. Yet some-how this “struggling” corporation man-aged to reward its management with multi-million dollar bonuses before the company was liquidated.

Employees at American Airlines, fast food chains in New York City and even Walmart are all protesting about unfair pay practices. Unfortunately, the lopsided pay disparity between owners and workers is increasing. Income in-equality is so extreme, it is worse now than any time since the 1920s.

A contributing factor to this inequality is so-called “shareholder val-ue,” the belief that today’s stock price matters more than traditional—but less visible—attributes that build long-term economic value. In the 1980s, stock performance was adopted as the most meaningful measure of value because many American companies were bloated and lethargic, granting management pay way out of sync with investor confidence. Now, the whims of the stock market are so over-valued, momentary fluctuations have empow-ered management to make sweeping cuts to benefits of those hard-working employees who built a company’s suc-cess.

Corporate profit margins just hit an all-time high. Wages are at an all-time low. Are today’s companies better-run than ever or could companies be so profitable because they’re paying employees less than ever before?

Two arguments often used to explain this state of affairs blame the decline in worker welfare on technol-ogy and low-skilled jobs commanding lower pay. Both these arguments miss

key points. Technology has made cer-tain jobs obsolete for 200+ years, but only recently have profit margins gone through the roof. And just because you can pay full-time workers poverty-level wages doesn’t mean you should, especially when turnover is high and so are profits.

If American companies were will-ing to trade off some of their earnings to invest in wage increases, American workers would have more money to spend. As those workers spend more money, the economy would grow and, in turn, help companies grow, too. It’s the difference between a trickle-down economy and a grassroots economy.

It would be great if companies would start sharing their wealth vol-untarily. But, if history has taught us anything, those with wealth and power rarely give it up without a fight. And when workers have the voice to de-mand fairness, it’s because they stand as a union. We need unions to be numer-ous, we need them strong and we need them more than ever.

We Need Labor Unions More Than Everby Tina Morgan, Organizing Director

O

Union Fun for Union FamiliesAs our families gather together for the holi-days, spend some time playing these union-made games. All the games listed below are made by your fellow UFCW members.

Who knew supporting good union jobs could be so much fun?

Barrel of MonkeysBattleshipCandyland

Chutes and LaddersClue

Connect 4Game of Life

Hi Ho Cherry-OMemory

Monopoly

MousetrapOperationPictionary

RiskScattergories

ScrabbleSorryTabooTwisterYahtzee

8



Christmas with SantaSaturday, december 15, 2012

See more photos online in the Pictures section of www.ufcw1059.com

9



Christmas with SantaSaturday, december 15, 2012

See more photos online in the Pictures section of www.ufcw1059.com

10



will have a supermajority in the House next year. I say “appears” because there is one very close race that will likely be resolved in the courts.

After the initial count, Republican Al Landis had beaten Democrat Josh O’Farrell by a mere 14 votes in Ohio’s 98th House district. That triggered an automatic recount where both sides vigorously argued over whether certain provisional ballots should be counted. In the end, many disagree-ments persisted among members of the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections, but Landis was certified the winner by only 8 votes.

That win gives House Republicans a supermajority of 60-39, a margin that would allow any piece of legislation they desire be placed directly on the ballot. This may sound like a good idea until you consider the reality of that prospect. In the past, putting legisla-tion on the ballot required bi-partisan support. But with a super-majority, no such agreement would be necessary.

Further, should the legislature put polarizing legislation on the ballot dur-

ing an off-year election, that decision would likely be made by a minority of Ohio’s registered voters. In 2011, huge numbers of voters turned out to repeal Senate Bill 5 and boost turnout in an off year election to a 20-year high, but that only amounted to 46% of registered voters. Compare that to the 2012 election where turnout was about 67%.

Similar majorities in Michigan’s legislature have led to some extreme legislation in the past few weeks. Leg-islators rammed through a so-called “right to work” law making it incred-ibly difficult for Michigan workers to join together to bargain for better benefits. They’ve also passed funda-mentally undemocratic laws stripping voters of their power over local govern-ment.

This is what happens when one political party is given too much power. Local 1059 will continue to monitor Ohio’s legislature to make sure our state representatives never lose sight of the workers they were elected to represent.

The State of Ohio’s State Legislatureby Jason Kaseman, Political Director

hio’s work-ers

won some truly important victories on Novem-ber 6. Voters across the state re-elected President Barack Obama and Senator Sherrod Brown, sending them back to Washington to continue the fight for tax fairness and reining in corporate power. But even as we celebrate our successes at the top of the ballot, we are reminded of how much progress remains at the state level.

My last article explained the reasons UFCW Local 1059 supported Issue 2 on the ballot this year. It was a good-government initiative intended to return power to voters in Ohio’s legisla-tive elections. Unfortunately, the mea-sure did not pass. And the problem of rigged legislative districts—the problem Issue 2 would have helped remedy—was on full display this year.

Although Democratic candidates for Ohio’s House of Representatives won 56,000 more votes than Republi-can candidates, it appears Republicans

O

AMC TheatresLocations include:- Dublin Village 18- Lennox Town Center 24- Easton Town Center 30www.amctheatres.com

Tickets may be used towards admis-sion to any movie without restric-tion. All tickets through Local 1059 are $6.50 (reg. $6.50–$9.50). 3D movies require additional charges paid at the theater.

Marcus TheatresLocations include:- Columbus- Pickeringtonwww.marcustheatres.com

Tickets may be used towards admission to any movie without restriction. All tickets through Local 1059 are $6.50 (reg. $7.50–$10.50). Tickets void for any feature listed as Special Engage-ment (∆), including Sony Pictures new releases and VIP/reserved seat-ing. 3D movies require additional charges paid at the theater.

Rave Motion PicturesLocations include:- Polaris 18, Columbus- Grove City 14, Grove City- Fallen Timbers 14, Maumee- Levis Commons 12, Perrysburg- Franklin Park 16, Toledowww.ravemotionpictures.com

Tickets may be used towards admis-sion to any movie without restric-tion. All tickets through Local 1059 are $6.50 (reg. $6.50–$9.75). 3D movies require additional charges paid at the theater.

Tri City Theatre972 East Main Street, Jackson, OHwww.tricitytheatre.com

All tickets through Local 1059 are $4.00 (reg. $6.50). 3D tickets will cost an additional $2.00 at the ticket booth when accompanied by the UFCW $4.00 ticket.

discounted movie theater tickets

MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted for online purchases in the Members Area of www.ufcw1059.com and for phone orders called in to 614.237.7671 or 800.282.6488. Cash or credit card purchases can also be made at the UFCW Local 1059 office between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

11



MPOs Help Locked Out Workersby Nikki Rigano, UFCW Local 1059 MPO/Kroger 881

RePurpose. Think of it as a frequent flyer program for getting involved in the elec-tion.

Normal volun-teer work like can-vassing and phone banking earned points, which could be redeemed by setting up an account on the RePurpose website. Points could go toward Facebook “yard signs” or Internet ads for candidates. But I’m proud to say Local 1059’s MPOs used most of our points for something even better.

Last year, the CEO of Crystal Sugar locked out 1,300 union mem-bers of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) union at facilities in Iowa, North Dakota and Minnesota. These are real people with real families. By redeeming our points for $15 at a time, we were able to direct over $1,000 to the BCTGM action fund supporting those workers. Not only can our mem-ber volunteers contribute and make a change in an election, but we can also make a change in the lives of fellow union members. Knowing that you are helping real people and families is a powerful thing.

The RePurpose program isn’t over just because the election is over.

The program continues because the struggles of workers are ongoing. Use the program to connect with events in your area so you can stay involved. I’d urge everyone who cares about work-ers’ rights to sign up for the program at repurpose.workersvoice.org and get involved in your community. Be the change you want to see.

he election is finally over! No more phone calls, no more canvassers at your door and no

more TV political ads bombarding you during every commercial break. Still, I’m proud to say that I was one of those people making calls and knocking on doors this year. As an individual, I feel like I was able to truly make a difference, for all our nation’s workers but also for some specific workers in particular.

Nine Member Political Organiz-ers (MPOs), including myself, worked hard to register hundreds of members to vote, pass along information about the issues at stake and make sure we honor all those who fought and died for the right to vote by having our voices heard. My fellow MPOs and I get involved because we care about our families and our communities. Usu-ally, that benefit comes by helping elect pro-worker candidates like President Obama and Senator Brown. This year, though, our electoral work was able to support workers in another way.

Union members throughout the state were able to work together in 2012 through a partnership with the Ohio AFL-CIO. And one of the benefits of this statewide plan was the ability to keep track of our doors knocked and calls made anywhere we volunteered, earning points for our participation through a program called

T

ABC Contest WinnerSecretary-Treasurer Mark Fluharty, Union Representa-tive Tom Gartner, ABC contest winner Ray Wilkes (Kroger 350), President Randy Quickel. Ray won $1,000 when his name was drawn at the Central Area Meeting on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

12



Employer & Negotiation Updates

Contract Extensions

• Indianapolis. The UFCW Local 700 contract expired on May 12, but the contract has been extended indefinitely while bargaining continues.

• Nashville. The UFCW Local 1995 contract expired on May 19. Kroger members are working under a contract extension as health care negotiations continue.

Hiring Initiative

• Veterans. Kroger officials announced the launch of an effort to hire 120,000 military veterans over then next eight years. The company is using the website www.honoringourheroes.com to aid veterans in finding and applying for positions in their area.

• Strikes. On Black Friday, thousands of Walmart employees walked off the job in protest of the retailer’s efforts to silence workers

speaking out against poor wages and benefits. Workers in nine other countries also protested the company on the busiest shopping day of the year.

• Bangladesh. After years of Walmart’s refusal to improve safety conditions in a foreign textile factory, a devastating fire took 112 lives. Though the company denied ties to the factory, Walmart’s Faded Glory brand clothing was discovered at the site. It has since admitted that a supplier had subcontracted the factory’s work.

Christmas with Santa Coloring Contest Winners

The winning submission from 5 year old Nadia, niece of Kroger 581 member Michelle Smith

The winning submission from 8 year old Deeonna, granddaughter of Rich Products member Reba Haight

13



Know Dependent Rules for Dependent Care Auditby Paul Smithberger, Communications Director

resi-dent Quic-

kel’s article noted the benefits of wellness to the employee’s health but also the benefits wellness programs bring to the health care plan, helping control health care costs going forward. Another cost con-trol item for Kroger employees—and one that could apply to other members in the future—is a Dependent Care Audit.

A Dependent Care Audit is a process in which members are asked to verify their spouse and/or children qualify for medical benefits under the dependent provisions of their health care plan. If a Dependent Care Audit is done on your plan, an employee is asked to confirm certain information by sending in a copy of their marriage license, birth certificates or proof of college enrollment. The goal is to verify that information is accurate for all an employee’s dependents covered by the

insurance.This helps to keep the moneys al-

lotted to health care going to legitimate beneficiaries. One example of incorrect dependent coverage that frequently occurs is when an employee’s divorce decree mandates the employee provide health care coverage to their former-spouse. Although the employee’s divorce decree may require coverage to their former spouse, that does not make the former spouse an eligible dependent.

Another example that could come up would be a grandparent who is tak-ing care of their grandchildren. If the grandparent has not received a court order making them legally responsible for their grandchildren, they could not claim their grandchildren as depen-dents.

While researching the dependent audit process, I discovered one com-pany where someone had claimed 83 dependents! Granted, this is taking the problem to the extreme, but you

can see how health care dollars could be being spent on people who are not eligible for coverage.

We are very aware our members would rather not have the hassle of tracking down the needed documen-tation. But we also know that our members want as much money in their paycheck as possible. Covering people who are not eligible under the rules of the health care plan is a detriment to other employees. In fact, some audits are finding up to 15% of those claimed as dependents aren’t eligible for cover-age.

This article is meant to allow time for members to make adjustments in their dependent selections if necessary. The time to correct the problem is before an audit finds that you are not in compliance. If you are not sure if a dependent is eligible, double-check the rules governing who is considered a dependent for your insurance plan.

P

Texas Hold ‘Em tournamentMUST BE

21TO PARTICIPATE

ENTRY FEE

$2548 PERSON LIMIT

Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:00 pmUFCW Local 1059 Union Hall

4150 East Main StreetColumbus, OH 43213

Name (print) _____________________________________________ Phone _________________

Guest (print) _____________________________________________ Enclosed $ ______________

Date of Birth _____________________________________________ Employer _______________

Guest Date of Birth ________________________________________Send payment to the address above.

For more information, contact Paul Smithberger at 614.237.7671, ext. 250

14



and converged on Washington, D.C. Most lived in tents or makeshift shel-ters. These gathering places became known as “Hoovervilles” after then-President Herbert Hoover.

By July of 1932, 17,000 veterans and another 26,000 family members and supporters had gathered in these Hoovervilles pitched in the shad-ows of our houses of government. The leaders of the “Bonus Army” demanded that the government pay the promised bonuses in 1932, when veterans desperately needed the money, instead of 1945.

The federal government refused. Further, President Hoover and leaders of Congress demanded the veterans, their families and their sup-porters leave Washington and return home. Most refused and held their ground.

On July 28, 1932, on orders from President Hoover and U.S. Attorney General William D. Mitchell, the Unit-ed States Army began using force to disperse the Bonus Army and destroy the Hoovervilles. Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur lead a force of 500 Army infantry, 500 Army calvary, 6 battle tanks and 800 police against the veterans and their families. In the end, four World War I veterans were killed

and over 1,000 other bonus marchers were wounded. At least 69 police were also injured in the result-ing confrontations.

Still, the battle was quick and decisive. The Bonus Army was defeated, dispersed, its demands rejected and the remaining Hoovervilles burned to the ground. The veterans were simply

no match for military intervention.But this would not be the end of

their story, nor of their struggle.Soon after Franklin Roosevelt

became President in 1933, a second bonus march again gathered in the District of Columbia. This time, though, members of the Roosevelt Administration met with leaders of the march and heard their grievances. Officials promised to work tirelessly to end the Depression, ushering more jobs and help to the unemployed. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt even visited the new Hoovervilles herself and talked with unemployed World War I veterans about their issues. Where Hoover had sent an army, Roosevelt sent Eleanor.

Though the bonus marchers never received their much-needed relief, those demonstrations served as an example for future generations. They proved a lesson on how collective ac-tion could get the government to hear the grievances of unions, the poor, the unemployed and other groups.

The Bonus Army: 1932by Rick Gregory, Education Director

W ith an

elec-tion just past, let us take stock of the fact that

our votes are incredibly important for determining the tenor and tenure of our leaders in Washington.

If someone told you that the United States government would use the military to kill or wound hungry, unemployed and destitute World War I veterans of the U.S. Army, you’d prob-ably not believe the story. Unfortu-nately, it is true.

In 1924, Congress passed the World War Adjusted Compensation Act, which awarded bonuses to soldiers who had fought in the First World War as rewards for their service. However, the bonus certificates could not be redeemed for money until 1945. After three years of the Great Depression, many of these ex-soldiers and their families were destitute and sought government aid in 1932.

The veterans joined together, hoping to affect relief for their band of brothers during those harsh times. Soldiers and their families from across the country formed a “bonus march”

WW I veterans camp outside the U.S. Capitol protesting for their bonuses

The U.S. Army burned many Hoovervilles to the ground

15



Quarterly union meetinGsAll Quarterly Union Meetings start at 7:00 pm unless other-wise noted.

Central Area—Tuesday, February 5, 2013 UFCW Local 1059 Union Hall, Columbus 4150 E. Main Street

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