Why Union

Why Union?
"It is important to get together. We have more strength at the bargaining table, we can get the company to treat us fair and give us more respect. The stronger we stick together, the louder our voice." - Jane Crawford, Local 271, Farmland Foods

Why Union

Why Union?
Without a union, employers have 100% control over its employees and complete authority to make all decisions. Unions give employees some of this control to make their workplace better.

Why Union

Why Union?
"What we all have in common is we all just want a fair wage, health care, and to be treated right. That's why we need to communicate with each other and stand together." -Ryan Dodds, Iowa

Why Union

Why Union?
"I like the feeling of security you have with a union. I know I can’t just be fired for any reason, and that makes me feel safe and protected." -Michelle DiBartolomeo, Local 1360, New Jersey

Why Union

Why Union?
"If I have a problem, I can go to the union to work it out. And the benefits I get are worth the hard work." -Rosa Reede, Local 152, New Jersey

Why Union

Why Union?
“I love my union because I have job protection. Without the union, the company could promote their favorites or fire people they just don’t like. My union keeps things fair for everybody.” - Dottie MacKenzie, Local 1360, Shoprite

Why Union

Why Union?
FACT: Union workers earn 30 percent more money than non-union workers, and 44 percent more when you include the total compensation of health and welfare benefits.

Why Union

Why Union?
"Having a union is like having an attorney working for your rights 24 hours a day. When you cast your vote for the UFCW, you cast a vote for your family’s future." -Maria Naba, Local 7R, Longmont, CO

Why Union

Why Union?
“My American dream is to buy a home... raise my children, and show them you have to work hard to have something in life... my union helps me reach that and allows me fair treatment and representation in the workplace.” - Alma Estrada, UFCW Local 9

Why Union

Why Union?
“All retail workers should have a union...Nobody thinks about the people who work long hours to make shopping easier. But the union is always thinking about us, and making sure that we're treated right." -Margie McCabe, New York

Why Union

Why Union?
"When there was an ammonia leak…the supervisor got really mad and said that we had to get back to work. He didn’t want to listen to anyone. The union spoke with management and the situation was corrected." -Efrain Reyes Ruvalcaba, Texas

Why Union

Why Union?
"We aren’t alone. We all have the same problems across all these meatpacking plants…We are in a very dangerous industry. We are feeding the world! We deserve the best medical care." -Susan Abdulla, Iowa

Why Union

Why Union?
"Do not be afraid to be united. Do not be afraid to demand the wages and benefits, and safe working conditions you deserve." - Maria Naba, Local 7R, Longmont, CO

Why Union

Why Union?
"I think my union unites workers because it’s something that’s good for everybody. It’s not a Hispanic thing or a black thing or a white thing — it’s something that’s good for everyone." - Susan Packer, Texas Poultry Worker

Call your Rep to Thank (or Not) for Voting for Needed Health Care Reform!

Eugene Cotton, Labor Union Lawyer, Dies at 95

Eugene Cotton, a labor lawyer whose negotiating savvy helped improve the wages and conditions of tens of thousands of meatpacking workers, died Nov. 11 at his home in Manhattan. He was 95.

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Headlines

11.20.09: Feds dismiss immigration charges against former Iowa kosher slaughterhouse manager Sholom Rubashkin

11.19.09: Senate committee approves Obama’s OSHA nominee

11.19.09: OSHA urges Black Friday precautions

11.19.09: Senate committee approves food safety bill

11.19.09: Senate unveils health-care bill

11.19.09: Eugene Cotton, Labor Union Lawyer, Dies at 95

11.18.09: Politico: Reid to unveil bill to senators today

11.18.09: Labor Fight Ends in Win for Students

11.18.09: Blog: “Raising the Floor” Study: U.S. Lags in Workplace Conditions

11.17.09: Obama to Launch Cross - Country Economic Tour

11.17.09: Wal-Mart gets off easy in 'Black Friday' death

11.17.09: The Hill: Reid can’t afford any defections on health

11.17.09: Frank talk about an earlier Chamber of Commerce study

11.17.09: US labor group unveils plan to tackle joblessness

11.17.09: Zoning board: Butchertown pork plant can stay open

11.16.09: Swift workers rally to keep plant open

11.16.09: Neb. meatpacker sued over handling of layoffs

11.16.09: Arrest at Walmart leads to charges of racism

11.16.09: NYTimes Editorial: Reform and Medical Costs

11.16.09: Union rallies behind fired worker

11.13.09: Trumka: Deeds Lost And Dems Will Lose Without Populist Focus

11.13.09: Verdict brings closure to many in Postville

11.13.09: The GOP’s strategy for defeating health care

11.13.09: Fry's, Safeway reach 11th-hour deal with union, strike averted

11.12.09: Cargill Plans H1N1 Sow Vaccination

11.12.09: Smithfield Foods Hits 13-Month High

11.12.09: OSHA Sets Combustible Dust Stakeholder Meetings

11.12.09: It’s Time For The Senate To Confirm Patricia Smith As Department Of Labor Solicitor

11.9.09: Historic healthcare overhaul passes House

11.9.09: UFCW and Smithfield Foods Launch Feed the Hungry Program

11.9.09: Obama Presses Senate to Pass Its Health Bill

11.6.09: Details on health care bills in House, Senate

11.6.09: Modest Sales Gains as Retailers Lap Downturn

11.5.09: House expected to vote on health bill Saturday

11.5.09: Tyson Foods Fined $500,000 in Death Of Worker Who Inhaled Chicken Processing Plant Fumes

11.5.09: Congressional Budget Office Thrashes Republican Health-Care Plan

11.5.09: Kristof: Unhealthy America

11.5.09: ABC News: Risking Demerits or Spreading H1N1?

11.5.09: Del. Court To Hear Case Involving Bailiff's Union

11.4.09: The Economist: Love of Labour

11.4.09: Senate Free Rider Provision Gives Nation's Largest Employer a Free Ride

11.4.09: In October, Signs of Life at Retailers

11.3.09: Wal-Mart`s Sick Leave Policy Risks Spreading Swine Flu

11.3.09: NYT: Lack of Paid Sick Days May Worsen Flu Pandemic

11.2.09: NYT Editorial: Mandates and Affordability

11.2.09: GOP Plots Strategy to Draw Out Health Debate

10.30.09: House bill greatly expands health care coverage

10.30.09: Labor gains under Obama even without majority sign up

10.30.09: How Our Broken Immigration System Hurts Both Immigrant and Native-Born Workers

10.30.09: Mass. Senate hopefuls try to woo union voters

10.29.09: UFCW Expresses Strong Support for House Health Care Bill

10.28.09: Union Members Rally at Fred Meyer

10.27.09: Senate to Add Public Option to Health Care Bill

10.26.09: GPC Workers Try Getting Into Plant

10.26.09: CNN: Senate health bill will include public option

10.26.09: Wis. Man To Be Sentenced For $50M Meatpacking Fire

10.26.09: Chamber of Commerce criticizes Obama team

10.26.09: GPC Workers Try Getting Into Plant

10.23.09: Senate Leader Takes Risk Pushing Public Insurance Plan

10.23.09: Walmart set to focus on growth outside US

10.23.09: Some police leaders say Congress needs to fix a broken immigration system

10.23.09: CNN’s Special on Latinos Stirs Protests Against Anchor

10.23.09: US workers, immigrants unite vs. work visa program

10.22.09: 300 union members protest at new Walmart in Raritan Township

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