RWDSU Board Meeting: "Now is Our Moment" (12/2/09)

At the opening session of the RWDSU Executive Board Meeting yesterday, the focus was placed on increasing the strength of the union through organizing.

"Even though times are tough for working people, we have an opportunity to reach them. Unions have proven to be the best anti-poverty tool in the U.S., and it's truer now than ever," said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum as the meeting opened. "Now is our moment. What we do will have an impact on every member of this union and the future of the middle class."

UFCW President Joe Hansen addressed the board, praising the RWDSU's political action, which goes hand in hand with revitalized organizing efforts.

(l to r) RWDSU Sec.-Treas. Jack Wurm, President Stuart Appelbaum, and UFCW President Joe Hansen.  

"What we did, what all of you did, is why we have an administration in Washington that cares about working people," Hansen said. "The new administration is concerned about working people and they are working hard to tackle the problems that working people face."

Hansen also addressed the political issue that is at the forefront at the board meeting, reforming the U.S. health care system. He said that the UFCW has been meeting with the Obama administration and Congress to help fashion reform that will cut costs and improve health care for working people.

According to Hansen, the jury is still out but solid reform is moving forward.

"Health care is in a precarious position.  The House bill is good in many ways but we have concerns about the Senate bill as it currently stands," Hansen said.

He stressed the importance of member involvement if we are to get real reform enacted. Hansen also spoke about how the Employee Free Choice Act remains a top priority for labor activists and he expects that the issue will be taken up in the new year.

Bill Thompson (left) and Stuart Appelbaum.

New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson was on hand to thank the RWDSU for its support during his campaign for Mayor of NYC. Though he lost in an election that was far closer than the experts had been predicting, Thompson's campaign highlighted issues of importance to working people and put Mayor Bloomberg on notice that New Yorkers were tired of business as usual.

"The RWDSU is a principled union" he said, "and throughout the campaign the union focused on the very real economic concerns and hardships that are facing New Yorkers," Thompson said.

Later in the day Assistant to the RWDSU President David Mertz (pictured at left) gave an update on the House and Senate health care bills.

"We have a real opportunity to reform our current system. But unless we all get involved and make an effort to reach out to our members of Congress and demand real reform we may end up with a bill that does not address workers' needs," Mertz said.

RWDSU Research Analyst Jim Kane gave a presentation on the state of the current economy and the outlook for recovery.

"Even though some economists are saying the worst is over, too many working people are unemployed and may well be living with the problems caused by this recession for a long time to come," Kane (pictured at right) said.

The board also discussed the union's finances with RWDSU Secretary-Treasurer Jack Wurm giving a detailed report on where the union stands financially.  Also the board acted to approve a merger between RWDSU Locals 1102 and 88.

"The merger is a good fit," said Local 88 President Jim SanPhillipo.

"We are proud to have Local 88 become a part of Local 1102," said Local 1102 President Frank Bail. "This merger makes sense for members of both locals and ultimately makes us stronger."

Local 1102 Executive Vice President Gemma de Leon and Local 1102 President Frank Bail.