All Local 342 Shop Stewards, as well as members, have a right to view their company's OSHA Logs to ensure that all injuries that occurred in their store were correctly recorded on the Log. Stewards, as part of their monthly safety inspection should be checking and reporting incorrect entries to their store managers with a back-up phone call to the Local 342 Safety Department.

Not only does this keep the company on their toes, it keeps members aware that they should always report job related injuries and illnesses to their employer so they can take the proper actions for future hazard prevention.  Listed below are the proper steps on how to file for Workers Compensation if you are ever injured on the job.

Workers Compensation is a state law, which requires employers to compensate employees or their survivors for work related injuries, diseases, and deaths. Under its provisions you are entitled to weekly checks, payment of medical expenses and other benefits, if you are injured on the job. It is administered by the New York State workers Compensation Board.

Five Steps to Receiving Compensation:
Tell your supervisor and the Union about any accident or physical complaints you experience before you leave your workplace, or at least as soon as possible --- Get immediate medical attention and follow up care --- Give prompt notice to your employer about the illness or injury. You must notify your employer within 30 days of the date of injury and be sure to get a copy of your accident report so you know a claim was filed by your employer. --- A claim for compensation must be filed with the New York State Workers Compensation Board within two years after you knew or should have known that injury or illness was work related. --- If your employer disputes your claim or fails to pay your benefits promptly, ask the Workers Compensation Board for a hearing. If you are unsure of your rights as an injured worker, help is just a phone call away, and it is free. Just call Adam Rosen of Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, PC, Attorneys At Law, at (516) 594-0909. At no cost to you, a compensation attorney can give you straight answers about: How to File a Claim - What Forms are Used - Who is Covered - Controverted Claims - Hearing and Appeal Rights - Timely Filing – Record Keeping - Your Role in Your Medical Treatment – What Medical Benefits are Available.

Hundreds of shop stewards participated in Local 342’s CPR-First Aid certification classes to educate them on how to recognize emergencies and provide basic care until advanced medical personnel can respond to the scene. Shop stewards received training in breathing emergencies, cardiac emergencies, and how to treat various injuries. ... (Read More)

Local 342 stands by the fact that your workplace should always be a safe and healthy environment to work in. Make sure to report any unsafe working conditions to your Shop Steward and in return Shop Stewards should call the Local 342 Safety Department at (718) 982-0342 Ext 2 to advise the Union of any problems in the work environment.

Defensive and Attentive Drivers - In March of this year, the members who work at the Peapod Shop in Riverhead called upon Local 342 to assist with a safety hazard that could have turned deadly if not reported immediately. Members were having serious safety issues with the grocery delivery trucks they drive hundreds of miles every day and sometimes in very serious weather conditions. The tires on the trucks they were asked to drive were bald. Some of them had absolutely no tread on them whatsoever. Representatives jumped into action and within 24 hours, 17 tires were changed and members had a safe truck to drive.

The Stop and Shop Peapod Riverhead store has no Shop Steward, but that did not prevent members from calling in their situation and making Driving Safely priority #1. Local 342 provides AAA Defensive Driving classes for FREE to our members just so driving safely becomes a habit. These classes remind us that checking brakes, tires, oil levels, and seat belts and mirrors before driving your vehicle can prevent serious accidents.