Local 108 Joins Racial Justice Group to Denounce Gov DeSantis's Florida Curriculum

Local 108 joined The People’s Organization For Progress (POP)’s press conference to condemn Gov Ron DeSantis’ Florida public school curriculum that says African Americans benefited from slavery.  The press conference was held Monday, July 31, 2023, 5:00pm at the Federal Building, 970 Broad Street in Newark, New Jersey. 

 Recently, as a result of Gov Ron DeSantis signing into law The Stop Wrongs To Our Kids And Employees Act (“Stop Woke Act”), the Florida State Board of Education revised its black history curriculum to say that slavery was personally beneficial to enslaved black people because it gave them skills. 

 “The centuries of enslavement of African people in the United States is one of the most uniquely horrific chapters of human history. It was a crime against humanity,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.  “The assertion by the Florida State Board of Education social studies curriculum that slavery was personally beneficial to the enslaved is just another version of a long-standing racist and white supremacist lie that slavery was good for black people,” Hamm said.  “This is a form of racist indoctrination and is yet another example of institutionalized racism in education. It is an affront to human dignity that must be condemned in no uncertain terms,” he said.  “I call upon President Biden and the Justice Department to act now to stop this violation of black students human and civil rights,” Hamm said. 

New Jersey Parking Workers Protest "Bad Faith" Employer

On Tuesday, RWDSU Local 108 members who work for the Morristown Parking Authority in Morristown, New Jersey, held a demonstration in front of the Morristown town hall. The union members – who work as garage attendants in Morristown – are calling for protection and accountability after a sudden announcement that the public authority will be moving to an automated garage system with no plans to train or maintain the unionized public sector workers. The workers accused their employer of bargaining in bad faith with booth attendants, some of whom have been working at the Morristown Parking Authority for decades.

The sudden announcement of automation was the latest attack on workers by the Morristown Parking Authority, which engaged in a lengthy union-busting campaign to unsuccessfully keep them from joining the union last year. Local 108 also represents parking enforcement officers at the Morristown Parking Authority.

New Contract at Oakwood Nursing Home

A three-year contract at Oakwood Nursing homein Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, brings annual wage increases for all members, and protects both the 401K and severance benefits. The contract also puts a cap on future employee contributions for the medical plan, and eliminates medical plan contributions for senior employees. The negotiations were led by Local 108 Representative Abraham Asabor.

New Contract For The Mushroom Company Workers

Significant wage increases, wages that are guaranteed to index above minimum wage, and the addition of an extra paid vacation day highlight a new three-year agreement for Local 108 members at the Mushroom Company in Maryland. The shift differential has been increased, and a new job category has been created for work in the freezer area. The contract was overwhelmingly ratified by members.

Labor Day 2022

In Newark, New Jersey, Local 108 was proud to march through the city in the Essex West Hudson Labor Council 31st Annual Celebration of Labor Parade. Our local joined other unions and activists for the march along Broad Street from Newark City Hall to Washington Park.

RWDSU Pickets for Fair Contract at New Jersey Nursing Home

RWDSU Local 108 members, joined by officers of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and officers and members of allied unions, held an informational picket on Saturday, July 24, to bring attention to stalled contract talks with Complete Care Management LLC. Complete Care is the new owner of Burlington Woods and Woodlands nursing home facilities where Local 108 members provide attentive and compassionate care for ill and aged residents.

Members spoke of how new management aims to drastically reduce their future paid time off, wipe out the time off they accumulated during 16 months of tireless work during the pandemic, and slash the effectiveness of their health care plans. Local 108 also stated that management is seeking to lock in pay rates for as long as four years, and that management has not made clear if additional New Jersey funding for nursing homes paid for recent wage increases or if the increases reflect Complete Care pay policies.

“Contract talks need to resume promptly, and Complete Care needs to negotiate in good faith with their courageous workers who continue to provide invaluable care during the COVID pandemic,” said Local 108 President Charles N. Hall, Jr.

Jersey Japanese Food Warehouse Workers Win New Pact

Local 108 members in Secaucus, New Jersey, ratified a new three-year contract with their employer, Mutual Trading Warehouse. The facility provides Japanese food and restaurant supplies for Japanese restaurants.  The new contract provides annual hourly wage increases as well as a $500 “appreciation bonus” for members, and also contains a provision which will place wage increases on top of any state or federal minimum wage increases. The contract also provides for the establishment of a member health and safety committee, a $1 per hour pay increase for certification on fork lifts and other equipment, and covers 100 percent of cost increases in medical coverage.

New Contract for New Jersey Bus Drivers

RWDSU Local 108 members in New Jersey who work as bus drivers for Tri-State Transportation have ratified a new three-year contract. “This contract recognizes that private sector bus drivers are professionals, with significant wage increases and other improvements,” said Local 108 President Charles N. Hall, Jr.

The contract brings $1 per hour pay raises each year of the agreement, and will reduce employees’ health care premium costs. In addition, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday will be added as a paid holiday.

NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2020 - STATEMENT FROM RWDSU LOCAL 108 PRESIDENT CHARLES N. HALL JR.

(NEWARK, NJ) –  Today, in response to the committee passages of the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act A4/S3295, Charles N. Hall Jr., President of Local 108 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) issued the following statement:

“We are pleased to see that the agreement between the Governor and legislative leadership on economic recovery and tax incentives reform includes labor harmony provisions. Good high-paying jobs for our members are a win for our union and a win for New Jersey. We support this legislation and urge it's swift passage.”

COVID-19 Workplace Challenges: Put The Brakes On STRESS!

Workers Memorial Day

New Jersey AFL-CIO: Resources for Working Men and Women

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO has compiled COVID-19 coronavirus-related resources and news updates while our state and nation are under a state of emergency. We know the situation changes dailly, even hourly, and the state federation is working directly with New Jersey government and Congress to advocate for union members.

A message from your union on COVID-19 virus safety

Dear Local 108 Members,

We wanted to share with you this information that was prepared by the national AFL-CIO. There is a lot of information currently out there about the COVID-19 virus, but we thought that this contained valuable information in dealing with this outbreak. Should you have any concerns, please reach out to your union representative. Our contract outlines your paid-sick time. If you have any questions, please call our office 212-371-6230.

Sincerely,
President Charles Hall, Jr. 

Pictures From Around Local 108!

There are always exciting things happening around Local 108 RWDSU/UFCW! Check out the photos from some recent events and meet-ups. If you're a member who's interested in getting more involved, give us a call at 973-762-7224. We hope to see you soon!

A Local 108 rep makes midnight visits to Fleetwood Liquor Distribution and Academy Shuttle drivers.

Local 108 representative Abraham Asabor visits CNA Khalilah Mumin to deliver a National Child ID kit, which is an easy way to protect your child from going missing. Local 108 is working with Shop Stewards to get thousands of kits in the hands of our members. Over 800,000 children are missing every year - that's 1 every 40 seconds.

Local 108 President Charles Hall delivers water and fresh fruit to Gateway drivers in downtown Newark.

Local 108 Rep Abraham Asabor hands out info on Union discount programs and National Child ID kits to Transdev shuttle bus workers, who help transport Essex County seniors.

Local 108 RWDSU/UFCW Newsletter - Fall 2019

Read the latest edition of the Local 108 RWDSU/UCFW Newsletter! 

The latest edition of the Local 108 newsletter is out. You can learn about all the benefits you are eligible to receive through your union membership. There's also important information about how healthcare benefits are currently under attack by employers, and what we can do to fight back. Several members have recently won grievances in their workplaces, and how our members have been involved with local politics to bring more power to the union. 

Click here to read the latest Local 108 newsletter!

RWDSU Members Help Deliver Wins for Baraka, Council Members in New Jersey

NEWARK, NJ – Today, Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and Charles Hall, Jr., President of Local 108 of the RWDSU, congratulated the work of members of RWDSU Local 108 in New Jersey whose tireless efforts helped ensured victory last night for Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Council Members Mildred Trump, Carlos Gonzalez, John Sharpe, Eddie Osbourne, Luis Quintana, and Anibal Ramos in Newark, New Jersey. RWDSU members door-knocked, mailed and phone banked for the union’s endorsed candidates across the city throughout the spring to ensure candidates, who would advocate for union values, won tonight.

“We congratulate Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Council Members Mildred Trump, Carlos Gonzalez, John Sharpe, Eddie Osbourne, Luis Quintana ,and Anibal Ramos for their victory tonight,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). “Because of Mayor Baraka’s leadership, Newark is heading in the right path: one that is revitalizing neighborhoods, creating more jobs, and making communities safer. We look forward to working with him and the City Council to improve the lives of working people in Newark over the next four years and protecting workers’ rights to organize by establishing labor peace in the city.”

“We are proud to support the Mayor and congratulate him in winning another four years leading Newark. He’s the right person at the right time for the challenges ahead. We are entering a renaissance and the Mayor, and the City Council are working hard to make sure no Newarker gets left behind. They’re committed to working hand in hand with labor and we look forward to making sure new jobs coming to Newark are good union jobs,” said Charles Hall, Jr., President of Local 108 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). 

Local 108 Brightens Holidays for Needy Families

RWDSU Local 108 donated time and financial support to area churches this Thanksgiving to help provide holiday meals for needy families in the Newark, New Jersey area. Local 108 members helped churches provide Thanksgiving dinner meals for over 1000 families. The local works with Local 108 employers including supermarkets to provide the meals.

“The staff of Local 108 feels it is a good thing to reach out and lend a helping hand to people in need in the community.  There are so many people in need of help, I wish and pray that we could do more,” said Local 108 President Charles N. Hall, Jr.