Local 371 and Local 919 Partner to Testify in Support of Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers

UFCW Locals 919 & 371 teamed up to testify in favor of Senate Bill 938 An Act Concerning Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers.

This bill would allow striking workers to collect unemployment after 2 weeks on strike.

Union Representative Brian Simmons shared his experiences during the 2019 Stop and Shop Strike.

Connecticut workers who go on strike are unable to collect unemployment benefits as they are presumed to have left their jobs voluntarily. No worker makes the decision to go on strike lightly. It is an extremely difficult choice because workers risk a loss of income. They also risk the permanent loss of their jobs, especially when replacement workers hired to continue operations during the strike stay on as permanent employees. But by the time a strike vote is taken, after months, and sometimes years, of exhausting all avenues provided in the collective bargaining process, workers usually feel they have absolutely no choice. A strike may be the only option they have to resolve differences with their employer.

Senate Bill 938 is designed to avoid a labor dispute. If an employer understands that striking workers will be eligible to collect unemployment benefits after a two-week waiting period, likely resulting in a small increase to their unemployment insurance rates, they will be more likely to bargain in good faith to avoid a work stoppage altogether.

We are proud to stand with our Connecticut AFL-CIO and other unions in support of this bill.

Read more »

Local 371 Women’s Network Helps Members in Need

The Local 371 Women’s Network once again received hundreds of toys from our generous members to help with our holiday toy drive. We were able to give toys to members suffering financial hardship and spread the message that our union takes care of each other. We hope you all had a save and memorable holiday season.

Read more »

Local 371 Stewards Attend Annual Stewards Conference

Over two hundred of our union stewards attended our annual training seminar. They heard from statewide leaders as well as our union leadership, and participated in trainings to better represent their coworkers and create stronger, more unified workplaces.

Read more »

Local 371 Brian A. Petronella Memorial Fundraiser Raises $40,000 for Local Charities

Thank you to our members, our sponsors, and our golfers for participating in this year’s golf tournament. We are please to announce we raised $40,000 this year. Our sunny day of golf and camaraderie led us to be able to donate $10,000 to the Make A Wish Foundation, and the rest will be donated to charities local to Connecticut, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts, and will be used to help members in need.

Read more »

CT Paid Family Leave Benefit Starts 1/1/22- Applications Being Accepted Now!

While many Local 371 members have enjoyed paid disability through their union insurance, paid family leave is an important new benefit available to CT workers starting 1/1/22. This protects you not only in the case of your own illness or injury, but also covers you when you need time off to care for a sick family member, the birth of a child, and many other reasons. Applications are now being accepted. https://fb.watch/9JUDZPFIq4/

Read more »