Monday, March 16, 2020
From Matt Utecht, President, UFCW Local 663
I want to continue to give you updates as we work through these unprecedented times with the COVID-19 outbreak. Last Friday I sent an email out to our union membership and the message is now available on our blog.
If you have a coworker who hasn’t received the emails but wants to, please forward them this email and they can sign up by clicking here.
With an overabundance of caution for workers’ safety and to stop the potential spread of COVID-19, effective immediately, all UFCW Local 663 union representatives will not be in the workplace for the next two weeks. All of our union representatives are working from home to and are available at any time to answer your questions as they come up.
To find out who your union representative is, use this link on our website.
Union Representatives
Amber Allen, 612-865-6755, ambera@ufcw663.org
Jess Alexander, 612-567-1225, jessa@ufcw663.org
Scott Larson, 612-961-6305, scottl@ufcw663.org
Rick Milbrath, 612-965-4310, RMilbrath@ufcw663.org
Ondrea Shallbetter, 612-406-9419, ondreas@ufcw663.org
Jim Schommer, 612-965-4308, jims@ufcw663.org
Doug Rigert, 612-889-9121, dougr@ufcw663.org
Additionally, our Worthington office is now closed until further notice. Your union representatives are working from home and available to answer questions you may have:
Mike Potter: 507-329-7116, mpotter@ufcw663.org
Darin Rehnelt: 507-329-0617, darinr@ufcw663.org
Contracts in Full Effect
Your collective bargaining agreements remain in full force and effect. I spoke with several grocery employers last Saturday to get a read on staffing and other concerns surrounding the COVID-19 crisis. One employer has made a request to have their management team assist with members and work in the stores for two days. I approved that request. This morning, I was hearing that there were a couple of employers who felt they could take matters into their own hands and unilaterally violate our collective bargaining agreement. UFCW Local 663 takes this seriously and we will respond aggressively to violations.
UFCW 663 Member Tests Positive for COVID-19 at Seward Co-op
You may have heard that one of our union family members at Seward Community Co-op in Minneapolis has tested positive for coronavirus. The store has shut down for extensive cleaning for the next few days. Every effort is being made to make sure that our union member, as well as fellow union members, stay safe. Our union has offered Seward Co-op management to help where we can in this effort to keep our members safe and healthy.
Resources for Workers During COVID-19 Outbreak
In our ongoing efforts to keep communication lines open and information available, here is a list of useful websites during these uncertain times that you and your family may find helpful.
- UFCW Local 663 website
- Minnesota Department of Health website
- Center for Disease Control website
- World Health Organization website
Union Events Postponed/Cancelled
Please check out our website calendar to see events postponed or cancelled.
Please note the April 6 membership meeting in Brooklyn Center is cancelled.
We Will Continue to Reach Out
We are committed to reaching out and keeping you updated as your union family. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your union representative about questions you may have. We continue to work together for the safety of our union family and for our communities.
Sincerely,
Matt