{"id":1843,"date":"2020-03-16T16:14:34","date_gmt":"2020-03-16T21:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/?p=1843"},"modified":"2020-03-16T16:14:36","modified_gmt":"2020-03-16T21:14:36","slug":"covid-19-communication-update-march-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/2020\/03\/16\/covid-19-communication-update-march-16\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Communication Update March 16"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Monday, March 16, 2020
From Matt Utecht, President, UFCW Local 663
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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<\/a>.
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If you have a coworker who hasn\u2019t received the emails but wants to, please forward them this email and they can sign up by clicking here<\/a>.
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With an overabundance of caution for workers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find out who your union representative is, use this link on our website<\/a>.
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Union Representatives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Amber Allen, 612-865-6755, ambera@ufcw663.org<\/a>
Jess Alexander, 612-567-1225, jessa@ufcw663.org<\/a>
Scott Larson, 612-961-6305, scottl@ufcw663.org<\/a>
Rick Milbrath, 612-965-4310, RMilbrath@ufcw663.org<\/a>
Ondrea Shallbetter, 612-406-9419, ondreas@ufcw663.org<\/a>
Jim Schommer, 612-965-4308, jims@ufcw663.org<\/a>
Doug Rigert, 612-889-9121, dougr@ufcw663.org<\/a>
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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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Potter: 507-329-7116, mpotter@ufcw663.org<\/a>
Darin Rehnelt: 507-329-0617, darinr@ufcw663.org<\/a>
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Contracts in Full Effect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong>
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UFCW 663 Member Tests Positive for COVID-19 at Seward Co-op<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. 
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Resources for Workers During COVID-19 Outbreak<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.
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