588 Retirees Picket Union Hall

Angry retired grocery workers picketed the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 588 union hall on March 3rd. Their signs, such as "Our Union Sold Out Retirees," spoke volumes about their discontent with our newly ratified contract, which includes cut pensions, and a $70 a month cost for health coverage. The health care plan for retirees covers less than the plan for active members and has higher out of pocket costs also. About 40 retired members were supported by a handful of active members. Our union leadership, embarrassed by the visible protest against the union, tried to silence the protest by rushing the protestors off to a meeting room, but the picketers agreed to stay put until the local media arrived. In the meeting members especially expressed concern that the pension plan is in danger of not being able to meet future payments. Our union leadership denied this and promptly sent a letter the next day to all the retirees defending the pension plan. This protest proves that we're all in this boat together, whether you're still working or retired, and that our union leadership is not interested in fighting for the membership.

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