The 5th Annual UFCW Local 1459 Charity Golf Tournament was a hit once again this year. On Wednesday, September 1st, about 140 golfers were on the links at the Tekoa Country Club in Westfield, MA for the 11 a.m. shotgun, and played through to a great dinner.

Golf tournament photos

View photos from the steward's seminar here

UFCW Local 1459 stewards from across Western Massachusetts gathered on Tuesday at the annual steward's seminar to learn and share knowledge about the art of good stewardship. This year's seminar was very well attended. Stewards are critical to helping members ensure employers live up to the terms of the contract and in helping to mobilize and educate members.

With all eyes focused on the sagging economy and the November 4th Presidential Election, Massachusetts voters voted 70% to defeat the ballot initiative that would have eliminated the state personal income tax taking 12.7 billion-nearly 40%- out of the state budget, driving up local property taxes and leading to drastic cuts in services. 

This past Thursday, July 24, 2008, roughly 150 Department of Public Works for the city of Springfield, Massachusetts voted overwhelmingly to merge their association with UFCW Local 1459.  Covering all non-supervisory positions, our newest members collect trash, recycling, yard waste, bulk pickup, fix roads, storm drains, catch basins, sweep city streets, maintain city parks, plant and maintain trees and flowers, amongst other duties.

On Friday, August 22, 2008, Palmer school bus drivers employed by First Student ratified their very first contract with a unanimous vote.  Although these drivers had formed an independent association several years ago, they found that belonging to a large union offered much more bargaining table strength and resources than they could muster by themselves.   UFCW Local 1459 Secretary-Treasurer Dan Clifford, working with stewards Lisa Arnold and Tracey Povosky, negotiated a fine first contract, with wage and benefit increases along with many working condition protections.

On Tuesday June 3rd at Holyoke High School, the Holyoke Cafeteria Association voted overwhelming to merge with UFCW Local 1459.

On Wednesday, August 20, 2008, Granby school bus drivers employed by First Student ratified a new collective bargaining agreement.  Although it is a small unit, the drivers, working with UFCW 1459 Secretary-Treasurer Dan Clifford and steward Iris Ciecko, were able to secure wage and benefit gains that put them on par with other non-prevailing wage communities.

On Monday, August 25, 2008, school bus drivers employed by Durham School Services unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement.   Durham beat out Kuzmeskus to provide school bus transportation for the city of Northampton.

On Wednesday, August 27, 2008, cafeteria workers employed by the Amherst Public Schools ratified their first collective bargaining agreement.    How this groundbreaking agreement came to be is the result of a long and complicated history.