{"id":1647,"date":"2019-06-13T16:13:13","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T21:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/?p=1647"},"modified":"2019-06-18T10:38:29","modified_gmt":"2019-06-18T15:38:29","slug":"meat-cutter-training-program-663","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/2019\/06\/13\/meat-cutter-training-program-663\/","title":{"rendered":"Union Meat Cutter Training Program Lifts Part-Time Position to Full-Time Opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Union Negotiated Training Program Opens the Door to Better Wages and Benefits<\/h2>\n

Union Members in Modified Part-Time positions–What would you be able to do if you were guaranteed better wages, free skills training, then offered a full-time position benefits through a program on the job?<\/p>\n

For UFCW Local 663 member Omar Sanchez, he knew the answer to this question. In May of 2018, he found the opportunity to make it happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw a notice for the Meat Cutter Training Program at the Jerry\u2019s Cub Foods on Broadway posted by the time clock, and I approached Shawn the manager and signed up. I thought, this is a good opportunity to make more money for my family,\u201d he adds, \u201cNow that I\u2019m full-time, I have health insurance for my son who is in Kindergarten.\u201d Omar works at Jerry\u2019s Cub Foods Knollwood.<\/p>\n

Better Contracts Equal More Opportunities<\/h2>\n

One of the many UFCW Local 663 Twin Cities Metro grocery contract wins from 2018 includes a new \u201cMeat Cutter Training\u201d program. Current collective bargaining agreements have new language that creates an opportunity for Modified Part-Time meat cutters to enter into a 12 month meat cutter trainee program and become Full-Time Classified Assistants upon successful completion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard that a lot of meat cutters are going to retire in the next three years and there will be a need for meat managers.\u201d Sanchez goes on, \u201cAt first I was a little afraid of what I said yes to, but now I\u2019m very comfortable behind the saw.\u201d<\/p>\n

UFCW Local 663 knows that our union members value great wages and benefits, and opportunities to build better lives. It\u2019s part of the Union Difference. Like President Utecht says, \u201cLive Better, Work Union.\u201d<\/p>\n

Omar continues, \u201cI\u2019ve learned so much. I learned from Jeff Jopp, he is one of the best meat cutters around. I\u2019ve been with Jerry\u2019s for six years in June. I began the program in May of 2018, and now I\u2019m making Full-Time pay because I successfully completed the program.\u201d<\/p>\n

How It Works<\/h2>\n