STEWARD EDITION UFCW876 United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 876 • Vol. 10 No. 3 • March 2014 New Hires & You A Steward’s Role in Scheduling Making a Good Impression Using your Knowledge and Expertise Most of us live a pretty quick-paced life. In fact, for most of us “work” does not end when we leave our workplace. Planning ahead for unforeseen circumstances is one surefire way to make our daily journey much easier. From saving $10 a week into an account for house repairs, to filling the gas tank on payday to eliminate any uncertainty in the weekly budget. Sometimes, its just smart to plan and prepare for the future. In this same thread, Stewards must also begin to prepare and plan for the future of their union contract. From enforcing current languages to making sure the next generation is familiar enough to enforce their protections too. Stewards are not only the liaison between information about benefits and protections; they are the cultivator of those guarantees to every new hire. New hires are the vehicle all current protections and benefits have to travel into the next generation with. It’s a heavy load. One in which only real experience, trust of coworkers and knowledge can fill - that’s you, Steward! One of the most pressing issues currently is scheduling software that attempts to take into account both member seniority and the needs of the business, which should result in a schedule that is both fair and purposeful but oftentimes, is not. Scheduling should be monitored carefully by a Steward as discrepancies can lead to not only loss of hours, but loss of benefits if a member falls below the quota required to maintain eligibility. Scheduling software can quickly morph into a complicated web of seniority, coupled with restrictions, last minute and special requests and post-manipulation of hours that do not adhere to contract languages. Stewards are encouraged to review schedules when they are posted for any discrepancies, (improperly scheduled hours) and to put those claims in writing to a salaried member of store management by noon Saturday. Each contract has slightly different variations of posting and claims. Seniority lists must be visually available to all members to help in determining accuracy and placement of hours. Your effort could be the determining factor in protecting a coworker’s qualifying status and saving them the stress and inconvenience that comes with losing hours or a full-time status. Your effort also keeps your contract language strong and guarantees hours for everyone are fair and reasonable. If you feel a schedule has been posted and or modified incorrectly and may be in violation of the contract, and your request to management does not resolve the issue, call your union representative at 1-800-321-6406. Like Us! Have you liked our Facebook page? Find all the latest news, union programs, discounts and offers daily on facebook.com/ufcw876. @ Sign Up for E-mail: www.ufcw876.org Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ufcw876 Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ufcw876 UFCW 876 Scholarships Application Deadline is April 25, 2014 Stewards, members and their dependents are encouraged to apply for the 2014 UFCW 876 Scholarship! 1. Application: Download one at www.ufcw876.org/scholarships.html. 2. Essay: Compose and type an award-winning essay of at least 500 words. 3. Transcripts: Request an official, sealed transcript from high school or college*. Mail or hand-deliver all three items to the UFCW 876 Scholarship Committee, UFCW 876 Horace Brown Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071, by April 25, 2014. Eligibility: *Be sure to read all rules and regulations on the union’s website, mentioned above. UFCW 876 members or dependent children of a member in good standing; full or part-time undergraduate or graduate students attending, or accepted to attend, an accredited college, university, community college, or recognized trade school at the time of award complete scholarship application (transcripts and essay required). Awards: Five $2,000 academic scholarships and five $500 textbook scholarships will be awarded in spring 2014. Questions? 1-800-321-6406 Have Retirement Questions? We Have Answers. Find Out When and How You Can Collect Your Pension UFCW 876 members and their spouses are invited to join pension open houses through the union’s financial center free of charge. Get the help and resources you need to kick start planning your retirement that fits both your time line and budget. Free, pension assistance open houses are now being offered on: April 16, May 21 and June 18 from 6 - 8 p.m. UFCW 876 hall 876 Horace Brown Drive, Madison Heights, MI 48071 Prefer a private appointment? Call the Financial Wellness Center at 1-800-321-6406, # 8645. UFCW 876 Get Help Managing Your Kroger “K Plan” For Every Hour You Invest at Work; Invest in Yourself! Get Educated. Get Guidance. Get Advice. Creating Portfolio Success Assessing Risk & Return Rebalancing Periodically Coordinating with UFCW Pension Computing Retirement Income Integrate with Social Security Wednesday, March 26 from 6-8 p.m. UFCW 876 hall 876 Horace Brown Drive, Madison Heights, MI 48071 Call the Financial Wellness Center at 1-800-321-6406 extension #8645, and leave your name, store and unit number, phone number. New Healthcare Technology Available to Members Advice Line for Medical Concerns Available Through MedExpert UFCW 876 members who are participants in the Michigan UFCW Unions & Employers Health & Welfare Fund, now have unlimited access to MedExpert; a no-cost U.S. phone-based advice line to receive guidance about an illness or health concern. MedExpert is staffed by live representatives who, once eligibility is verified, will then inquire about your health care concern and connect you with one of MedExpert’s on-staff physicians. Once connected with a physician, feel free to describe or ask questions pertaining to your health care situation. The physician will discuss the health concern, ask questions and recommend an appropriate standard of care, and provide the information needed to help make a health care decision. Inquiries can range from prescription drugs to over the counter interactions to health and medical questions. MedExpert can also help with your medical needs by preparing and transmitting necessary reports, setting up medical appointments, and obtaining medical records and test results if authorized by the patient and accompanied by a signed a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA compliant approval form. MedExpert does not replace your doctor. It is an additional service that allows participants to seek best-practice medical decisions. Take control of your health care by seeking preliminary advice before using valuable time, and money. MedExpert and their professional staff of doctors are ready to help you with: Understanding. Interpreting your symptoms and medical conditions to make better health care decisions. Options. Discussion of treatment options. Logistics. Provide the support and assistance to find specialists, schedule appointments and transfer medical records. Convenience. The ability to call from the comfort and privacy of your home. Confidentiality. Calls to MedExpert take place in a strict confidential setting. No health information is reported to your employer, union or health insurer. MedExpert 1-800-999-1999 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. EST Monday - Friday Effective January 1, 2014 2014 Brings Pharmacy Benefit Changes What An Effective Steward Should Know Kroger members who are participants of the Michigan UFCW Unions & Employers Health & Welfare Fund are now required to fill prescriptions through the Kroger Prescription Plan / Program or (KPP), at any Kroger pharmacy. Kroger members should have received a KPP ID card in the mail this January. However, prescription benefits can also be provided by securing a temporary KPP card as follows: 1.Visit www.kpp-rx.com, click “Member Services,” and click “Kroger Employee Temporary ID Card.” You will be able to download and print your personalized ID card once your registration is complete. Creating an account will be useful in the future to track medications, view history and monitor your benefits. 2. Call the Fund office at 1-800-3228190, and they will provide to you a (Star Sav Mor) Pharmacy, Kroger Pharmacy, Meijer Pharmacy, (not Traverse City) Oleson’s in Traverse City, Plumb’s Market (Hackley Pharmacy) and select Rite Aid Pharmacies. Be sure to verify your chosen pharmacy continues to participate in the pharmacy network before filling a prescription and be sure to use your CVS/Caremark card. unique numerical identifier, Member ID / Social Security #, that would appear on your ID card, see above, and any other related information needed to fill your prescription. For members who have other coverage for prescription benefits through a spouse, please note the pharmacist may have to call the KPP help desk number to verify the first time you fill a script at the Kroger pharmacy. Non-Kroger Members Now Have CVS/Caremark Non-Kroger members who are participants of the “Fund,” will have a new prescription benefit manager, CVS Caremark; and must use the network pharmacies listed here, or Stewards should be well prepared to address concerns over 2014 pharmacy benefit changes as Kroger members one of the CVS Pharmacies. must now use KPP, and all other members eligible to Harding’s Market Pharmacy participate with the Fund are to use CVS Pharmacies. (Kalamazoo), Hollywood Market March Steward Edition What’s Inside: This month’s Steward Edition Includes Articles and Information about: Spring Party & Petting Farm! Cover Story A Steward’s Role in Scheduling $2 New Hires & You Making a Good Impression 2014 UFCW Scholarships Application Deadline is April 25 New Healthcare Technology MedExpert - 1-800-999-1999 Pharmacy Benefit Changes Kroger Members Now KPP; All Other Eligible Participants CVS UFCW876 876 Horace Brown Drive Madison Heights, MI 48071 Roger Robinson President Rick Blocker Secretary/Treasurer Jill Christoff Recorder 1.800.321.6406 www.ufcw876.org ticket Ticket sales go directly to the 876 Foundation, committed to giving back to members and their families. Join Us Tuesday, April 8, 2014 from 5-8 p.m. The Fun Includes: Face-pain ng, balloon twist, hotdog, chips, dessert, children & adult raffles, cra s, games and a photo with the Easter Bunny! All Tickets are $2, and are available from your union representaƟve. All Ɵcket sale proceeds will be used to establish The UFCW 876 FoundaƟon, a scholarship fund for the membership. UFCW reserves the right to limit Ɵcket sales. This event is for children 12 and under, adult supervision is required. Event is held at UFCW Local 876 Union Hall, 876 Horace Brown Drive, Madison Heights, MI. 1-800-321-6406.
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