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Apply for the 2022 UFCW International Scholarship

Every year, the UFCW International Charity Foundation’s scholarship program offers scholarships for Local 881 members OR their immediate family members who want to further their education.

Since 1958, the fund has distributed more than $2 million in scholarships. Past winners have gone on to make significant contributions to society and to the UFCW – entering a range of fields including public service, medicine, law, business and teaching.  Many have returned to the UFCW as staffers, organizers, and community activists who contribute to our mission.

In 2022, the UFCW Charity Foundation will award several scholarships, up to $8,000 each, to UFCW members or their unmarried dependents under the age of 20.

The scholarship application is available online February 14 – May 15, 2022. For more information, and to find out if you are eligible, please visit: ufcwcharityfoundation.org/scholarship.

Apply today!

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Mental Health Resources for Local 881 Members

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” might be on the playlist of a lot people during the holiday season, but, unfortunately, it’s a challenging time of year for so many more.

Extra stress, unrealistic expectations, less sunlight, increased financial burdens, changes in diet or routine, the inability to be with loved ones, or even sentimental memories can be a trigger for anxiety or depression. This year, we can also add the ever-present Covid dangers that weigh on the minds of essential workers to our holiday stress list. As much as the holidays can bring joy and merriment, they also can reveal cracks in our mental health and emotional well-being. The reality is everyone is dealing with something and mental health issues aren’t always just a seasonal thing.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. Globally, close to 1 billion people struggle with mental health issues. The statistics are staggering.

Consider the following:

    • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
    • 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
    • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
    • Mental health issues account for $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year in the U.S. economy

Our Union believes that mental health awareness is important for all of us because no one is immune to mental illness, regardless of occupation, gender, ethnicity, or any other marker of your identity. Mental health issues cannot be left at home, so it is vitally important for us to recognize that workplace health and safety should absolutely include mental health support.

A focus on mental health is needed now more than ever. It is critical for employers to provide support to workers who are experiencing struggles with mental health, and to work with employees and the Union to develop an effective workplace mental health strategy.

We are pleased that many of our represented employers offer Employee Assistance Programs that are available to Local 881 members. These consist of confidential hotlines, websites, or other resources to help struggling members get support. Whether you are battling with mental illness, seasonal depression, addiction, disease, stress, relational issues, or anything else please take advantage of the resources we have listed.

As we move towards the season which is based on family and cheer — be sure to keep your loved ones close. Reach out to those who might not have anyone else to reach out to them. And remember something else: it’s okay to not be okay. Just know that you don’t have to be “not okay” by yourself. The more we discuss with one another our personal battles, the more we are reminded that we are not alone – especially this holiday season.

Employee Assistance Programs:

Mariano’s & Kroger
Well Being Assistant
powered by Magellan Health
1-800-547-1442
www.MagellanHealth.com

Jewel-Osco Employee Assistance
Guidance Resources
1-877-294-3271
guidanceresources.com
(Organization Web ID:
Albertsonscompanies)

CVS Employee Helpline
1-888-494-7287
myhr.com

655 Health & Welfare Plan
Member Assistance Program
1-800-832-8302
www.HHHealthAssociates.com

Conagra Health Advocate
Email: [email protected]
1-866-799-2728

National Programs and
Help Lines:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-8255

National Sexual Assault Hotline
(800) 656-4673

National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-7233

The Trevor Project
offers support to the LGBTQ
young adult community
(866) 488-7386

National Alliance on Mental Illness
1-800-950-6264

Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255

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Covid-19 Funeral Expense Relief

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

FEMA’s mission to help people before, during and after disasters. FEMA is dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Who is Eligible?

    • The applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
    • The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
    • The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
    • There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
    • If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, we encourage you to keep and gather documentation. Types of information should include:
    • An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
    • Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened.

How to Apply
Call this dedicated toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA’s representatives. Multilingual services will be available.
FEMA Funeral Assistance Line: 844-684-6333
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday | 9am – 9pm Eastern Time

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A Victory for Chicago Workers: Earned Sick Leave Ordinance Passes 48-0

Over 450,000 Chicago Workers will gain access to Earned Sick Leave

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Applauding the unanimous passage of the Earned Sick Leave ordinance, which will extend earned sick leave to over 450,000 workers in Chicago, Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers President, Ron Powell, offered the following statement:

“On behalf of the 8,000 hardworking members of Local 881 UFCW who live and work in every neighborhood of Chicago, I commend the 48 supportive voting members of the Chicago City Council for passing the Earned Sick Leave Ordinance. In 2015, voters in every ward of Chicago overwhelmingly supported extending earned sick leave to working families who are one flu season away from losing their job and economic hardship. We are pleased today that the City Council listened to the working people of Chicago! This is a historic step for our city and a victory for workers and our communities.

It has been our privilege to be a founding member of the Earned Sick Time Chicago Coalition, a partnership of community, public health, faith, women’s advocacy, and labor organizations that worked together to raise awareness of this issue. The Coalition has worked tirelessly with sponsors of the ordinance and members of the Working Families Taskforce to see this through. Our heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude goes to Alderman Foulkes (16th), who is a proud former member of Local 881 UFCW, along with Aldermen Pawar (47th) and Moreno (1st). We have been grateful for your dedication and commitment to working families.”

As one of the leading private sector unions, with members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Chicago, Local 881 UFCW has a strong interest in ensuring that earned sick leave is a right extended to all members of the working public, not just to our members who collectively bargain to be able to take a day off if they need to visit the doctor. Bottom line, offering a minimum of five earned sick days to workers throughout Chicago will help boost the local economy and is the compassionate thing to do.

Today, city leaders took a historic step by voting to pass an ordinance that guarantees all workers the right to earn paid sick time. Chicago joins a number of cities, counties and states across the country debating and enacting similar standards. The decision will most dramatically benefit the city’s private sector workers, 42 percent of whom currently do not have access to a single sick day, according to a poll from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

Ordinance Details:

    • Takes effect July 1, 2017
    • Applies to businesses of all sizes
    • Employees can earn one hour of sick time for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year
    • Can begin using sick time after being with an employer at least 6 months
    • Can use leave for employee’s or family member’s illness or medical appointments; because of domestic or sexual violence; and due to a public health emergency business or school closure

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries.  Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s Fresh Market, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, Pinnacle Foods, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments. Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
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Local 881 UFCW Applauds Introduction of Earned Sick Leave Ordinance

Over 450,000 Workers in Chicago are depending on City Council Passing Earned Sick

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Applauding the introduction of the Earned Sick Leave ordinance, which will extend earned sick leave to over 450,000 workers in Chicago, Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers President, Ron Powell, offered the following statement:

“On behalf of the 8,000 hardworking members of Local 881 UFCW who live and work in every neighborhood of Chicago, I commend the sponsors of today’s ordinance and the members of the Working Families Taskforce for their hard work and leadership over the past nine months. Deserving special thanks, sponsor Alderman Foulkes (16th), who is a proud former member of Local 881 UFCW, along with Aldermen Pawar (47th) and Moreno (1st), have our sincere gratitude for fighting on behalf of the 450,000 workers in Chicago who currently lack earned sick leave.”

It is our hope that the Chicago City Council extends earned sick leave to Chicago’s workers as soon as possible. In 2015, voters in every ward in Chicago overwhelmingly supported extending earned sick leave to working families who are one flu season away from losing their job and economic hardship. Let’s get this done for working people and have Chicago lead the Midwest by supporting a basic lifeline for the middle class.”

As the Working Families Taskforce report highlighted, 42% of Chicago private sector workers—almost half—do not have access to a single sick day. As one of the leading private sector unions, with members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Chicago, Local 881 UFCW has a strong interest in ensuring that earned sick leave is a right extended to all members of the working public, not just to our members who collectively bargain to be able to take a day off if they need to visit the doctor.

Local 881’s private sector partners in management agree that earned sick leave leads to a better work environment since job retention is improved and employees don’t lose pay, and spending capacity in the economy, when having to care for a sick loved one or themselves. Bottom line, offering a minimum of five earned sick days to workers throughout Chicago will help boost the local economy and is the compassionate thing to do.

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries.  Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s Fresh Market, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, Pinnacle Foods, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments. Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.