Local 881 UFCW Departments in Detail
(click on the department title for a description)
(click on the department title for a description)
The day to day work of the Local Union staff based at our various office locations across Illinois is overseen by the leadership of Local 881: the President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Executive Vice President. All department heads report to these top officers of our Local Union.
The Accounting Department assists the Secretary-Treasurer and maintains records related to Local 881's finances, and is staffed by experienced professionals in accounting.
The two top Constitutional Officers are the President and Secretary-Treasurer. The President is involved in every aspect of the Local Union's ongoing work on behalf of the members. The President presides at meetings of the Executive Board and quarterly Local Meetings. Each grievance is personally read and signed by the President, and no contract is sent to the affected membership for ratification without having been approved by the President. All activities of the Local Union are subject to the final approval of the President including: organizing programs, collective bargaining strategies, communications initiatives, educational classes, picketing efforts, lobbying, advertising, new member, and charitable projects.
The structure of Local 881's leadership also calls for the second in command, the Secretary-Treasurer of our Local Union, to be responsible for a wide range of functions. In addition to serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the Union, the Secretary-Treasurer also supervises the Field Staff (comprised of the 40 or so Union Representatives from all Local 881 offices) as well as our Field Directors, and is highly involved in the formation of training sessions for our Stewards.The Secretary-Treasurer closely oversees the Local's legislative and political efforts, plays a key role in all public relations and charitable campaigns, and interacts with all other departments of Local 881 in a leadership capacity.
The Executive Vice President is the third highest position in the Union's leadership structure and serves the top officers, Executive Board members, and staff of Local 881 in an advisory capacity while also often overseeing one or more departments as the Union's needs require.
This department assists the President negotiating contracts between the Union and your employer on behalf of Local 881 members. Negotiating is a broad process that entails bargaining for the items that represent the best interests of the members throughout the term of the contract. Local 881's 40,000 members work under about 400 different contracts. Some cover thousands of members, while other units have fewer than 10 members. All are important and are negotiated with the use of skill, experience, and dedication by this department.
The Communications Department is responsible for keeping members informed and coordinating the wide array of printed materials. This involves the talent and skills of a Managing Editor/Public Relations Coordinator, Design and Event Coordinator, and our In-House (Union) Printer.
This department writes, designs and arranges for the production of the various member publications: 881 Progress, and Stewards' Guide. It also coordinates the printing and mailing of contracts to members; creates flyers and brochures on benefits, meetings, membership outings, educational events, charitable endeavors, boycotts, scholarships, and more. Communications also handles all public relations and media inquiries, AV, photography, and a diverse range of other efforts that keep our members up-to-date and aware of all that their Union offers.
Local 881's Data Processing Department is responsible for all matters involving Membership Records. All questions regarding withdrawal (click the button to the left for a withdrawal card application), Union dues, applications for membership and related items should be directed to this department. When calling, have your social security number ready.
It is extremely important for members to inform Data Processing of a new address or phone number (a form for this purpose appears in every issue of the 881 Progress.) Name changes must be submitted on a Local 881 Union application with a signature. If you need an application for a name change you can obtain one from your Union Representative, employer, or by contacting your nearest Local 881 office.
NEW MEMBERS: Submitting your membership application to Data Processing immediately after being hired insures that your application will be processed with the Union in a timely manner.
The duties of the Field Directors include: oversee the day-to-day operations of the field staff; process all grievances; answer any questions from members; review the policy and procedures from the companies; and, assist in negotiations.
The Organizing Department oversees all Local 881 organizing campaigns.
The job of the Organizing staff is to talk with non-union workers, understand their concerns, and educate them about the benefits and objectives of Union membership. Staff members concentrate on bringing non-union workers together to work toward their common goal of obtaining Union representation and fair working conditions.
In addition, Local 881's Organizing Department works with other Unions as well as community and religious organizations to help improve the working conditions for all workers.
Contact the Organizing Department, in Rosemont, for information on how you can get involved in the Volunteer Organizing Committee or click here to visit the Organizing Web Page for more information on V.O.C. For Wal-Mart Watchers contact the Organizing Department in Edwardsville or click here to visit the Wal-Mart Update Web Page.
Local 881 is involved in the legislative and political processes to protect and enhance workers rights. Many of the job protections gained through the collective bargaining process can either be taken away or strengthened through the legislative process. To protect your rights on the job and to enhance your work environment in areas such as wages, health care, and pensions; Local 881 has a Legislative and Political Director who works with local, state, and federal elected officials on your behalf. Political action by your Union has led to improvements in laws effecting workers such as workers' compensation, minimum wage, family and medical leave, 40-hour work week, and improving safer working conditions.
Each Local 881 Union Representative is assigned to service many work locations that represent Local 881 members. Among the wide range of responsibilities are meeting with members to answer questions, investigate contract violations, file grievances, and enfore your contract. In addition, the Representative distributes the latest printed materials, checks the schedules, and frequently conducts an audit to assure that designated new employees have applied for Union membership.
Office day for the field staff is usually scheduled on Wednesdays, but your Union Representative may be contacted on any weekday during normal business hours, or you may leave a message at any other time. At the Rosemont office, the In-House Union Representative is available every weekday during normal business hours to answer any of your questions. Members phoning the Edwardsville, Marion, and Springfield offices are urged to leave a message for their Union Representative, which will be promptly returned.