The members of our union family take pride in what they do every day. As part of our Member Spotlight series, we like to feature members who are active not only in their union, but in their local communities as well. Whether they run a successful side business, volunteer with local organizations, help those in need, or make beautiful works of art, every member of Local 338 adds value to our union family.
Check out some of our recently featured members! If you or a coworker have a talent or recent accomplishment that you’d like to share with us, please contact Caroline Leddy at 516-294-1338, ext. 1300 or email her atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be considered in our next member spotlight!
Check out some of our recently featured members! If you or a coworker have a talent or recent accomplishment that you’d like to share with us, please contact Caroline Leddy at 516-294-1338, ext. 1300 or email her at
Life as a Retired Local 338 Member:
Norma Freedman
Norma Freedman is a retired Local 338 member—she first joined the union in 1977, when she applied for a job at Waldbaums in Bayside. When she was first hired, she worked in the deli for about six years before moving on to become a cashier and work the front end, a position she held until her retirement in 2008.
Wally Waugh’s
Trip to the White House
Local 338 Executive Board Member and Shop Steward Wally Waugh of Stop & Shop in Oyster Bay received an exciting invitation to the White House on behalf of Local 338 essential workers. On July 4th, 2021, the Biden administration organized the “America is Back Together” event, inviting essential workers across many industries to celebrate America’s independence from not only a distant king, but from more recently, the throes of a deadly virus.
Getting To Know Your
Executive Board Members, Lisa Lund
Lisa Lund got her start as a Local 338 member in 1979, when she worked at Waldbaums in Hewlett. She’s been involved in her union for a long time - before joining Local 338’s Executive Board in 2016, Lisa was a Shop Steward for about 15 years. She now works as a receiver at Stop & Shop in Merrick and says being on the Executive Board allows her to keep her coworkers up to date on everything going on within the union.
Wasontiiosta
“Wass” George
Wasontiiosta ”Wass” George is a 3-year member of Local 338 who works
as a cultivation technician at MedMen. She’s a registered Mohawk of the
St. Regis tribe in Upstate New York and an absentee Shawnee. Shortly
after graduating high school, Wass moved out to Arizona for college at
Arizona State where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in science and an
American Indian degree. She lived in Arizona for 12 years, 8 of which were
spent doing research for both the federal and local tribal governments.
Local 338 Royalty,
Doris King
Local 338 Executive Board Member Doris King has been
supporting and protecting her fellow members since her
early days at Waldbaum’s in 1982. After Doris moved to
New York from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, she quickly
understood the importance of solidarity in the face of
adversity. As an early member of Local 338, Doris decided
to become a Shop Steward to represent and defend her
fellow members. She has a powerful drive for ensuring
everyone is given a fair shake and equal representation, no
matter their background or circumstance.
Meet Michael Gallagher,
40-Year Local 338 Member
One of the things we’re proudest of at Local 338 is being able
to ensure our members have dependable jobs that they can
rely on and potentially turn into careers. Once a year, we honor
members who have dedicated their lives to their jobs and their
union, and this year we’re profiling Michael Gallagher, a member
who has been part of our union family for over 40 years.
Life as a Retired Local 338 Member:
Norma Freedman
Norma Freedman is a retired Local 338 member—she first joined the union in 1977, when she applied for a job at Waldbaums in Bayside. When she was first hired, she worked in the deli for about six years before moving on to become a cashier and work the front end, a position she held until her retirement in 2008.
Wally Waugh’s
Trip to the White House
Local 338 Executive Board Member and Shop Steward Wally Waugh of Stop & Shop in Oyster Bay received an exciting invitation to the White House on behalf of Local 338 essential workers. On July 4th, 2021, the Biden administration organized the “America is Back Together” event, inviting essential workers across many industries to celebrate America’s independence from not only a distant king, but from more recently, the throes of a deadly virus.
Getting To Know Your
Executive Board Members, Lisa Lund
Lisa Lund got her start as a Local 338 member in 1979, when she worked at Waldbaums in Hewlett. She’s been involved in her union for a long time - before joining Local 338’s Executive Board in 2016, Lisa was a Shop Steward for about 15 years. She now works as a receiver at Stop & Shop in Merrick and says being on the Executive Board allows her to keep her coworkers up to date on everything going on within the union.
Tyler Curtis, Helping to
Heal Through Medical Cannabis
Local 338 member Tyler Curtis is on a mission to educate his community on the medicinal benefits of cannabis while debunking stigmatizing myths. For some, the idea of using cannabis products is intimidating. For decades, our society has criminalized cannabis and we have been taught steer clear at all costs, while ignoring the substantial and well-documented benefits the medicine may offer.
Brandon Roach
The Honorable Eagle Scout
Local 338 member Brandon Roach, who works at Stop & Shop in Shirley, has been a proud union member for two years now. Even though he may be relatively new to Local 338, he is no stranger to the concepts of solidarity and unity. At 7 years old, Brandon took an interest in earning his stripes to become an Eagle Scout, first joining as a Cub Scout and moving on to become a Boy Scout.
A Voice on the Ratification,
Bibi Kadir
On April 12, 2021, Local 338 members working at Stop & Shop went to the union polls to ratify their new union contact. The Local 338 Negotiation Team successfully negotiated for annual wage increases over the term of the contract, increased wage rates for new hires, and ensured that eligible members would continue to receive health and annuity benefits.
The Night Crew Whisperer,
Michael Colaizzo
Local 338 Executive Board Member Michael Colaizzo grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and joined Local 338 as a part-timer working at the Big Apple Supermarket in Manhattan.
Eileen Snyder Santa Claus,
the Essential Worker
Eileen Snyder, who works at Shop & Stop in Massapequa, has been a proud and loyal Local 338 member since 1973 and was recently appointed the Shop Steward for her store.
Congratulations to this Year’s RWDSU Scholarship Recipients Brandon & Megan!
We are pleased to announce that Local 338 members Brandon Clack and Megan Fox are this year’s RWDSU Alvin E. Heaps Scholarship winners!
Dave Brown:
The Neighborhood’s Coach
Local 338 Executive Board Member, Dave Brown, has supported his community in Queens for over 44 years. Joining Local 338 in 1978 as a Waldbaum’s employee, Dave wanted to create more change in his union to benefit of his fellow members.
Ed Clampitt:
Lost & Found
Over the last few months, stopping to have a friendly conversation seems like something we’ve all taken for granted. Unfortunately, shoppers in grocery stores forget the workers they see stocking the shelves or helping customers at check-out are real people with emotions and stories.
TrackManiaMatt:
A YouTube Personality
TrackManiaMatt A YouTube Personality Matt Mancini, 21, is a four-year Local 338 member working at ShopRite in Patchogue. When he’s not hard at work, he’s incredibly busy building a successful media empire on YouTube.
Flexing His Union Muscles:
Brad Worfler
Executive Board Member Brad Worfler brings a whole new meaning to the term, Union Strong. Brad demonstrates a passionate interest in the welfare of his fellow members, first becoming a Local 338 Shop Steward at ShopRite in 2013.
Lucy “the Light” Pfeffer
Over the last few months, stopping to have a friendly conversation seems like something we’ve all taken for granted. Unfortunately, shoppers in grocery stores forget the workers they see stocking the shelves or helping customers at check-out are real people with emotions and stories.
Congratulations
Gabriela Reyes!
Gabriela Reyes is the recipient of this year’s Local 338 Nassau Community College Scholarship! Gabriela has been a member of Local 338 for two years and works at ShopRite.
A Misunderstood Industry:
Effy Nichols
The medical cannabis industry and its workers can be misunderstood. Individuals who utilize medicinal cannabis products use them to treat severe symptoms of incredibly uncomfortable medical conditions, such as cancer or multiple sclerosis.
Taking a Risk to Support Her Community: Deneen Grant
For many elderly New York residents, shopping for groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a life or death challenge. Technology has made online shopping and delivery more accessible, but only for those who are comfortable with using these services.
Your Friendly Neighbor,
Bobby Collette
Local 338 Executive Board Member, Robert “Bobby” Collette, grew up in a strong union household in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, with his father being a devoted member of the Teamsters. Bobby was raised with union values of solidarity and standing with your fellow workers.
Wally Waugh A Voice in
His Union and His Community
Walford “Wally” Waugh has been a Local 338 member for 35 years and has served on the Executive Board since 2016. Wally is a friendly, well-known face by members, known for his cheerful attitude and happy-go-lucky demeanor. Anyone who meets Wally is instantly drawn in by his magnetic personality.
Poetry through the Pandemic:
Geanene Anderson
In times of uncertainty and anxiety, people seek to explore their artistic character in order to organize chaotic thoughts or release unearthed emotion. Local 338 retiree, Ms. Geanene Anderson often expresses herself through visual art or written poetry.
"Stone Cold"
Katie Moore
Throughout history, the Olympic sport of wrestling has brought names like Hulk Hogan, Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson and Andre the Giant to discussions at the dining room table with the family. Men have dominated the sport for centuries. However, bursting through the glass-ceiling, the wrestling world will have a new household name to remember - Katie Moore.
Kassan Seisay
Local 338’s MVP
Kassan Seisay has been a Local 338 member for nearly four years, working at Vireo Health, New York’s medical cannabis dispensary in White Plains. His dedication and enthusiasm as a union member, Shop Steward, and now Local 338 Advisory Board Member have been enormously helpful in negotiating a strong union contract for his coworkers and also in our efforts to advocate for the legalization of adult-use cannabis.
Joseph Quercia
Our Executive Board Quarterback
In times of uncertainty and anxiety, people seek to explore their artistic character in order to organize chaotic thoughts or release unearthed emotion. Local 338 retiree, Ms. Geanene Anderson often expresses herself through visual art or written poetry.
Have a Great Retirement,
Yolanda!
Yolanda Fiorentino has been a Local 338 member for 46 years. She works at Gristedes in Manhattan and will be retiring at the end of February! Yolanda has been a loyal and dependable member. Her coworkers and fellow union brothers and sisters know Yolanda by her can-do attitude and approachable demeanor.
Our First Suffolk County Community College Scholarship Winner: Virginia Libretti
Earlier this year, we launched the Local 338 scholarship at Suffolk Community College and we are pleased to announce we have our first winner! Virginia Libretti is a Local 338 member who has worked at the ShopRite in Selden for the past two years.
Congratulations to Our
2019 RWDSU Scholarship Winner!
We are proud to recognize McKenzie Rivera, who is the winner of the 2019 RWDSU Scholarship! Her mother, Erica Rodriguez, is a Local 338 member working at Stop & Shop in Belle Harbor. When she heard about the scholarship opportunity, she encouraged her daughter to apply for it!
Catering Love with
Danielle Marchesano
Danielle Marchesano began her career as Local 338 member 31 years ago when she began working part-time at Waldbaum’s as a bookkeeper while attending John Jay College. Over her time at Waldbaum’s, she worked at a number of different locations and even helped open the two stores that were located in Valley Stream and Oceanside. In 2015, Danielle began working at the Stop & Shop in Bay Terrace where she is the Customer Service Department Head.