A year of Challenges, A year of Rewards 

As the year comes to a close, I am amazed by how quickly the year has gone by, and I am sure many of you feel the same way.

 

Of the many things that we accomplished this year at Local 1428, a few stand out in my memory: 

 

• First and foremost, of course, was negotiating a fair contract for our members at Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons.

 

This was one of the toughest and most rewarding rounds of negotiations in which I have ever participated. It was a challenge to pry enough money from the companies to keep your health care affordable and avoid a strike, but we succeeded in beating back corporate greed because our members stood strong together. I will always be proud of the courage that each of you showed in hard economic times.

 

 

• Electing a friendly City Council in El Monte was a memorable challenge, too. We spent a great amount of time and energy working to elect people who believe as we do — that good jobs are not Walmart jobs. 

 

 

• Finally, I recall with fondness our recent event involving the stewards of Local 1428. Instead of holding our annual Stewards Conference, we invited them to do something a little different this year by giving back to the communities that stood with us during our eight-month battle for a grocery contract.

 

 

We weren’t sure how our stewards would feel about painting, planting, boxing food, cleaning, decorating and helping the homeless, but they responded with the amazing UFCW Local 1428 enthusiasm I have come to appreciate and expect. 

 

The day turned out even better than we had hoped. Our stewards said this was the best “Stewards Conference” yet and asked that we do it again. We certainly will — and even more — in the future!

 

Every day, I am grateful for the opportunity to lead Local 1428. I am grateful for the challenges, the struggles and the victories, but most of all I am grateful for all of you who believe in what we do here and who make everything possible.

 

Thank you for being part of Local 1428.

 

I wish you and your family and friends a happy holiday season, and I look forward to continuing to “Build Better Communities” with each of you in 2012!

 

Connie M. Leyva

President