On September 21 three hundred and fifty UFCW Local 101 and Local 5 shop stewards will meet at their annual educational seminar in San Jose. Topping the event's agenda are presentations by political candidates for statewide office and national officers of the UFCW. The ongoing organizing drive at BevMo will also be a major topic of discussion and the focus of an action at one of the chain's stores in the south bay in the afternoon.
UFCW Local 5 began organizing BevMo workers in August shortly after the company announced it was eliminating all full-time positions in its stores save those of store managers. This change in status led to the elimination of medical benefits for the newly reclassified employees (the letter from BevMo explaining this change is available in press packet available 9-21) per BevMo policy. BevMo workers are demanding the company reinstate health benefits, restore full time positions, put into effect a $1 an hour pay increase and recognize the employee's right to form a union with UFCW.
The location of the BevMo store where the action is to take place is not being disclosed prior to the action. Reporters wishing to cover the event may come to the Holiday Inn in San Jose and transportation will be provided.
What: UFCW Local 5 and UFCW Local 101 Joint Educational Conference and BevMo Rally
Where:San Jose Holiday Inn. 1740 North First Street, San
Jose, CA 95112.
BevMo rally location to be announced at
meeting
When: Registration 8AM, Meeting 9AM, BevMo Rally early afternoon
Visuals: 350 Shop stewards will gather at the hotel for an educational conference. They will be joined by major political and labor leaders. The entire group will get on buses and go to an undisclosed BevMo location to protest the company's anti-worker actions in the early afternoon. Members of the press are welcome. Stewards, BevMo workers, politicians and labor officials will be available for interviews.
Press packets and further information on the rally location will be available at the hotel.
Contacts:
UFCW
Mike Henneberry, 510-719-7691
mhenneberry@ufcw5.org
www.bevmodobetter.com
Facebook:
"BevMo Can Afford to do Better"