Who We Are

Preamble to the UFCW Constitution (part 1)
Preamble to the UFCW Constitution
Because the history of workers has been but the record of constant struggle against oppression by the wealthy and powerful; And because wealth, with its accompanying power, is becoming more and more concentrated in the hands of the few;
Preamble to the UFCW Constitution (part 2)
And because the organization of workers into trade unions is essential to the economic, social, and political freedom of society and to the successful functioning of a democracy;
Preamble to the UFCW Constitution (part 3)
And because in union there is strength and workers are better able collectively to secure their fair share of the profits accruing from their toil;
Preamble to the UFCW Constitution (part 4)
This International Union is created in order to elevate the social and economic status of workers and, further, to advance the principles and practice of freedom and democracy for all.

Our Voice

Our union is founded on workers empowering workers to unite and find their voice. We are made up of more than 1.3 million people working primarily in grocery and retail stores, and in the food processing and meat packing industries. Together, we are proud to put the food on America’s tables.

UFCW members work in all 50 states, and in Canada, and belong to more than 400 local unions. We’re also the union with the largest percentage of members under the age of 35 and are made up of both full and part-time workers.

If you shop in a grocery store, chances are you’ve been helped by a UFCW member or purchased products made in one of the plants we work in.

UFCW members are:

  • ADVOCATES for grocery, retail, meat packing, and food processing workers;
  • A COLLECTIVE VOICE for working people and the middle class;
  • A UNION of worker-activists fighting for social and economic justice, and the American Dream

ADVOCATES for Grocery, Retail, Meat Packing, and Food Processing Workers

Together in our union, UFCW members work to improve wages, benefits, and conditions on the job. We negotiate with our employers to make sure they compensate workers with kind of pay and benefits that allow us the dignity of a fair paycheck and the ability to support ourselves.

We advocate for laws and policies that bring up the economic standards in our communities, and we work to elect candidates who really go to bat for working people. We organize, inspire, and mobilize our co-workers, neighbors, and communities and bring people into our nationwide movement for social and economic justice.

A COLLECTIVE VOICE for Working People

Workers have the right to stick together on the job, to go to the boss and negotiate the kind of wages, benefits, and safe working conditions we need to raise our kids, to live a decent life, to put a little something aside for a rainy day, and to retire with dignity.This right to stick together is a basic, fundamental right at the heart of the labor movement, and our union.

We join together in our union because we know the fate of the American worker can’t be left entirely in the hands of the wealthiest one percent. After all, no one knows the issues that impact working America better than the workers themselves.

A UNION OF WORKER-ACTIVISTS FIGHTING FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE

We know and understand what workers face on the job. Workers need career jobs with affordable health care; decent, middle-class wages; and safe working environments. We work to improve the opportunities for families. We work to improve jobs so we can turn our dreams into reality and raise the standards for everyone.

In addition to pushing for respect on the job, we also are active in fighting to strengthen our communities as a whole. Check out just a small snapshot of some of the work we’re doing and ways we are engaging our community members.