UFCW | United Latinos of the UFCW & UFCW International Vice President Johnny Rodriguez

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Q&A with Johnny Rodriguez, President, United Latinos

The president of United Latinos is Johnny Rodriguez, UFCW International Vice President and President of UFCW Local 540 in Dallas, Texas.

Rodriguez has a long history of fighting for working Latinos. He has championed many issues of importance for the Hispanic community in Texas and nationwide. Under his leadership, United Latinos has helped Latinos fight for better wages, benefits and respect at work.

Q: In your opinion, what Latina/Latino has contributed the most to the labor movement?

Johnny Rodriguez: I think the most recognized is Cesar Chávez. If you consider the entire labor movement and who has had the most impact on empowering Latinos in our movement, there is no question that it’s Cesar Chávez.

Q: Why are unions important for Latinos?

JR: Unions give Latinos a voice and a vote with respect to what happens in our workplaces, our communities and our lives.

Q: What can Latinos do to raise their living standards?

JR: I think the best thing anyone can do, of course, is join a union. That’s number one. Join a union and get an education. We need formal education to ensure we always have a place at the table. Also, being involved in the political process is key, because it has so much to do with the future of America, and the future of working people, and the future of Latinos and their families in America. Really, these three things have one thing in common—joining a union, getting an education, and being involved in politics all make it possible for Latinos (or anyone, really) to be heard and to be counted.

Q: What is the greatest challenge that working Latinos face nowadays?

JR: I think the greatest challenge is getting Latino union members to participate in the labor movement, to understand what it’s all about. We need to broaden our base and reach out to people, because a lot of young Latinos and younger members don’t really know what our movement, their union, is all about. It’s a challenge to communicate that effectively in ways that are relevant to them. But it’s something we have to do, because they’re the ones who will carry our movement into the future, and make their contribution in history.

Q: How can the UFCW promote the participation of minorities in the labor movement?

JR: It can promote the participation of minorities by inclusion. I always say “inclusion is multiplication and addition.” Basically, I mean when you work to include people, when you go out of your way to involve them and bring them to the table, then you increase your ranks exponentially.

Q: What plans do you have for United Latinos for the future?

JR: I know we will try to stay true to our goal and mission statement—that is, to try to enhance United Latinos as an organization; to be a resource to our International Union; to be a resource to our regions and councils and local unions throughout the UFCW. A major goal is to fuel the union’s growth. In that respect, United Latinos can be an effective tool in communicating the union’s message to Latino members—as to what the UFCW is about, what we bring to the table and to organizing. As we grow, I think we put Latinos in a position where they have an opportunity to showcase their talents. Latinos are contributing, and should have a place at the leadership table. We are good at what we do as organizers, but we are also good strategists, and we can also be strong leaders in our union.

Q: How can UFCW members find out more information about United Latinos?

JR: We have made the move from print to Web. Members can find out everything at our new Web site: http://www.ufcwunitedlatinos.org/