—but if it does, U.S. workers are
better off if we can drive up labor
standards in Vietnam in order to
make the playing field fairer. To do
otherwise is to stick our collective
head in the sand and pray that all
of this will magically disappear.
Global capitalism demands a global
labor response. The complexities
of what we have to do should be
seen as a challenge to be embraced,
not a deterrent to us trying. UFCW
and Local 770 will never stop
advocating for our members and
we will continue to make all our
voices heard wherever we need to.
This is our obligation and we
shall not shirk it. ■
The 2016 U.S. Labor Education
Delegation to Vietnam General
Confederation of Labor
AT THE BARGAINING TABLE
Workers’ Compensation
Alternative Dispute Resolution
System Proves to be Successful
to Workers
Vons has fully implemented the
program to date.
KATHY FINN
Director of Collective Bargaining,
Research and Education
Since November 1, 2013, Local
770 members employed by Vons
have been covered by a Workers’
Compensation Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR) program. This
program was negotiated during
the 2011 Food negotiations in
order to provide UFCW members
a better way to resolve workplace
injury claims and to reduce wasteful spending caused by the slow
state-run workers compensation
system. During those negotiations,
all 3 Companies (Albertsons,
Ralphs and Vons) agreed to join
in the ADR program but only
Issue 1
The program provides a nurse
advocate who ensures that the
injured union members get
prompt, high-quality treatment
for their workplace injury and are
able to return to work when
appropriate. The program also
provides a fair system for
resolving disputes should they
arise, including an
Ombudsperson who assists the
members through each step of
the process. One critical
component of our agreement was
that 50% of the savings achieved
through this program would be
used to pay bonuses to the
affected members.
Based on the feedback we’ve
received, the ADR program has
been wo