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Local One News
Quit for Life
February 27, 2008
 Local One’s Health Care Fund is pleased to announce a new and effective stop smoking program. It is called the Quit for Life – Tobacco Cessation Program, and is offered through Excellus Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
The program is available to most health care fund participants and their dependents. To learn if you are eligible, call toll-free 1-800-442-8904. Identify yourself as a participant in the UFCW Local One Health Care Fund, and give the name of your employer. If you are not eligible for the Quit for Life program, you will be informed about the New York State Smokers Quit Line.
What is the Quit For Life Program?
Quit For Life is an award-winning support program to help you quit using tobacco. The program offers one-on-one coaching from highly trained Quit Coaches, who help you stay on track between calls, and nicotine replacement products such as the patch, gum or lozenges, if recommended.
How does the Quit For Life Program work?
Once you’re in the program, you and your Quit Coach will develop a personalized quit plan and schedule a series of phone calls that will carry you from preparing to quit until you quit for good. You will learn new skills to help you deal with the cravings associated with tobacco use, manage stress, and handle high-risk trigger situations. In addition, you will get printed Quit Guides filled with information relevant to where you are in the quit cycle. An Ally Guide is also provided to assist your family and friends in helping you through the quit process. After you quit, your Quit Coach will continue providing you with support. They’ll stick with you even after you’ve quit, checking in routinely to insure you don’t go back to using tobacco. Before you know it, you’ll lose the urge to smoke or chew and you’ll be quit for life!
How many times may I contact my Quit Coach?
The Quit Coach will schedule five outbound calls with each participant. You can call the Quit Coach as often as needed.
How much does the Quit For Life Program cost?
The Quit for Life Program is FREE to all eligible participants in the UFCW Local One Health Care Fund participants18 years or older.
I have quit many times before. How can the Quit For Life Program help me quit for good?
Quitting tobacco can take many attempts. Your Quit Coach will provide support and help you understand what’s worked for you before and use that information to design a new personalized quit plan. While you’re in the program, you’ll have unlimited toll-free access to a Quit Coach whenever you need extra support.
What if I start using tobacco again while I’m enrolled in the program?
Quit Coaches are available by phone seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight EST. Just as they helped you quit initially, they will help you get back on track.
Can I use nicotine replacement products such as the patch, gum or lozenges while in the Quit For Life Program?
Your Quit Coach can help you decide if one of these products is right for you. If nicotine replacement products are recommended, they will be supplied FREE of charge if your physician prescribes a prescription cessation drug. You can receive an 8-week supply of medication (such as the patch or gum) sent to you. This will be done for Local One members through our prescription drug program run by NMHC Rx. Your Quit Coach advises you on dosing and explains how to use the medication.
Typically, how long are phone sessions?
Your first session will take 25 to 30 minutes. Ongoing sessions may last 10 to 15 minutes each. During the first call, your Quit Coach will review your tobacco usage history and help you develop a plan, including a recommendation on medication type, dose, and duration, if appropriate.
What kind of training do Quit Coaches receive?
Quit Coaches are qualified professionals with a range of educational backgrounds, including psychology, sociology, community health, counseling and social work.
What other information resources are available?
Written materials are mailed to participants. These are available in Spanish as well as English. There is also information available for participants online.
Get started today — It’s FREE!
There is no better time than now to quit tobacco. Join the thousands of people who have successfully quit and enroll in the Quit For Life Program now by calling 1-800-442-8904. TTY is available at 1-877-777-6534.
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Karsten, Evans Win Memorial Awards
January 30, 2008
Alissa Karsten of Rome, NY and Billy Evans of Watertown, NY are winners of $1,500 memorial scholarships given by Local One.
Karsten won the 6th annual Harvey Olsen Scholarship. Olsen was a Local One Executive Board member and long-time steward at Tops Markets in the Rochester Area.
Evans won the 5th annual Joseph Cittadino Scholarship. Cittadino was a 46-year Local One member and a Local One officer.
Karsten attends SUNY at Cortland, where she will major in either psychology or education. She is also interested in journalism. She plans to continue her successful softball career in college, and would like to someday coach. Alissa is the granddaughter of Local One member Frances Durant.
Evans attends Houghton College. His goal is to be a history teacher at an inner-city school. He plays on the college basketball team, and also would like to coach. Billy is the grandson of Local One member Charlotte VanZandt.
Look for information about next year's awards in the upcoming Spring issue of the Voice of Local One.
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Drawing Winners Announced
November 28, 2007
Rachelle Richards of Tops #42 in Amherst, NY is the first prize winner of a TV in our Volunteer in Politics drawing.
In the Fall issue of The Voice and online, we asked members to become part of Local One’s online political network, and 125 people gave us their e-mail addresses and entered their names in a drawing with four prizes.
First Prize: Richards won a 26-inch high definition wide screen TV with built-in DVD player.
Second Prize: Jesse Sherman of Sodexho in Saranac Lake, NY won an Apple IPod Nano.
Third & Fourth Prizes: Helen Weber of Tops #202 in Cheektowaga, NY and Tim Potts of P&C #121 in Clay, NY each won a $50 grocery gift certificate.
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Morgan Stanley Buys Tops, Retains All Workers
October 11, 2007
Morgan Stanley Private equity will acquire Tops Markets and announced it will retain all of Tops’ employees.
The purchase price from Koninklijke Ahold, N.V. (Ahold) is $310 million. The acquisition is expected to close before the end of 2007. Tops operates under the banners of Tops Markets and Martin’s Super Food Stores. Tops employs more than 10,000 associates.
Morgan Stanley Private Equity, part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s Merchant Banking Division, makes private equity and equity-related investments on a global basis.
“Our members have waited 11 months for this announcement of a new owner,� said Frank DeRiso, President of UFCW Local One. “In that time, our members worked as a team, as they have for the past 40 years, doing what they do best, all while the future hung in the balance. Today, with the announcement of the sale to Morgan Stanley, the future looks bright and we can continue to make Tops a great place to shop and work.
“In the next few days, we will absorb the full details of the purchase. It’s now up to the new owner, Morgan Stanley, to invest in improving Tops to make it an even more profitable company. It is my hope that Morgan Stanley’s investment will secure the future of our members and this Western New York institution.�
In an Oct. 11 press release from Morgan Stanley, the company said: "Throughout the transaction, Morgan Stanley Private Equity has worked closely with Frank Curci, former CEO of Tops from 2000 to 2003. It is expected that Mr. Curci will serve on Tops’ Board of Directors and lead the transition team during the coming months. Morgan Stanley Private Equity will continue to operate all the stores as an ongoing grocery store chain. All store associates, field staff and Williamsville, New York-based corporate office staff will be retained. Additionally, all Tops merchandising, information technology and finance functions are expected to be consolidated in the Buffalo area over time.�
Gary Matthews, Managing Director and Operating Partner, Morgan Stanley Private Equity, said that: “Tops is a well-regarded grocer with attractive long-term performance, strong employee relationships and a loyal customer base. We are excited to continue Tops’ tradition of outstanding service to customers and to maintain its position as a leading supermarket in the region.�
Here is Morgan Stanley’s complete announcement of the purchase. Learn more about Morgan Stanley
here.
The only current Tops store not included in the sale is in Webster, NY. The store is not included because of the expiration of its lease. Local One members at the store who choose to remain with Tops will be allowed to transfer to other Tops locations.
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Members Received $74.8 Million in Benefits
September 5, 2007
The records of the UFCW Local One Benefit Funds indicate that a total of $74,845,892 in benefits was paid on behalf of UFCW Local One members and their families in 2006.
This is an increase of more than $2.5 million over 2005.
For Health Care Benefits alone, the 2006 total paid out was $53,545,897. That is $1.6 million more than 2005.
Here is a breakdown of benefits paid in 2006:
• Medical & Hospital Benefits $ 36,562,225
• Dental Benefits $ 3,142,031
• Vision Care Benefits $720,653
• Prescription Drug Benefits $ 12,729,631
• Education Benefits $1,043,700
• Death Benefits $391,357
• Pension Benefit $20,256,295
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DeRiso Re-Elected to Lead Local
September 5, 2007
A slate of officers headed by President Frank DeRiso has been elected by acclamation to lead Local One for three years beginning on Jan. 1, 2008. Meetings were held throughout Local One’s jurisdiction to elect officers. There was no opposition to the slate headed by DeRiso.
“I am gratified by the confidence shown in me and the other officers by the membership of Local One,� said DeRiso. “Many more challenges are ahead for our local. With your support, we are ready to meet those challenges.�
Here is the full slate of officers:
President - Frank C. DeRiso
Secretary-Treasurer - Eric A. Glathar
Recorder - Gregory P. Gorea
Vice Presidents - Areas
Linda Scibetta, Buffalo Area, Judith Matecki, Buffalo Area, Jackie Hackett, Rochester Area, John Tesoriero, Rochester Area, Doug Owen, Syracuse Area, William Anderson, Syracuse Area, Maribeth Williamson-Druse, Utica Area, Tony Paparella, Utica Area, Terry Tami, Jamestown/Erie Area, Velma Gilmartin, Horseheads/Elmira Area, Maude Barney, North Country.
Vice Presidents – At-Large
Angelo Vellake, Pieter Metz, Barbara Schlegel, Deborah Pacyon, Robert Geary, Jr., Jack Fisher, Donnell Manuel, Vernae’ Jones, Don Eliason, Frank Pettrone, Dave Pardi, Robert Boehlert, Bertha Harden, Donna DiMura, Harold Steinbacher, Mike Westover, Art Piccarreto, Mark Manna, Patrick Lannon, Vincent Cavo, Arvin Bell.
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'The One' Gives $150,000 to Charity
September 3, 2007
The 2007 ‘The One’ Charity Golf Classic is donating $150,000 to 16 local and national charity organizations.
This was the 23rd annual event. It was again held in August at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY. Since its inception The One has donated nearly $3 million to charity. Money is raised from Local One employees, businesses, other unions and individuals. Local One contributes and our staff organizes the event.
Here are this year’s charities:
American Heart Association, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Enable, Epilepsy (C.U.R.E.), Friends of the ARC, Greater Utica United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice Care, Leukemia Society of America, Make a Wish Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis, Operation Sunshine, Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), Stanley Theatre Capital Fund, SIDS (M.J. Testa, Jr. Memorial) and Utica College “The One� Community Scholarship.
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910 Win Local One Scholarships
June 4, 2007
This year, 910 Scholarship Awards are being awarded through the Education Department of UFCW Local One’s Health Care Fund. The total value of the scholarships is $1,049,350.
This is a negotiated benefit between Local One and employers who contribute to the fund. Fund participants, their dependents and their grandchildren are eligible.
The amount of the awards are based on how many years a recipient has been selected. The breakdown is as follows:
First year - $1,000
Second year - $1,150
Third year - $1,300
Fourth year - $1,500
Since Local One and its affiliated funds began awarding scholarships in 1993, 15,328 scholarships have been provided with a total value of nearly $13 million.
These Scholarship Awards are funded through the Education Department of UFCW Local One’s Health Care Fund.
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Tops Sales Updates
May 15, 2007
Local One will keep its members up-to-date on the latest news regarding the decision by Ahold to sell its Tops Markets stores.
Google news search on the store sales.
Latest Yahoo financial news on Ahold.
Dec. 1 article in Buffalo New on Local One press conference.
Dec. 1 article in RochesterDemocrat & Chronicle on Local One press conference.
Tops General Manager Max Henderson's letter to Local One President Frank DeRiso .
Local One President Frank DeRiso's letter to Tops members.
UFCW International President Joe Hansen's public statement
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Schubmehl Wins Mutton Award
May 9, 2007
 Katie Schubmehl of Dansville, NY is the winner of the 2007 Charlene Mutton Scholarship.
The award is worth $1,500. It is given in memory of Charlene Mutton, a Local One member who was also elected to the union’s Executive Board.
Schubmehl will be attending the University at Albany in the fall. In 2006, she worked Tops Markets. She is the granddaughter of Arthur W. Partridge, a Local One retiree.
Schubmehl has distinguished herself in academics by ranking 9th in a class of 133 seniors at Wayland-Cohocton High with a GPA of 93.1. She was also involved in several service organizations. She organized the sending of care packages to her uncle serving in Iraq and others in his unit.
“The pictures I received meant more than anything to me,� she says. “Seeing the smiles on their faces was perfect,�
Her career goal is to work as an occupational therapist in a school.
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