| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2000 |
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UFCW ORGANIZING: NUMBER ONE IN THE NEW CENTURY On the first working day of Y2K, workers at Boston Concessions in the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia welcomed the new century with an overwhelming vote for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 56 in the first union representation election victory in 2000. The UFCW win for Boston Concessions workers brought into clear focus the issues confronting working families in the 21st century. Rising employee health insurance costs and stagnating wages drove down living standards to near poverty level for the concession workers. An indifferent management turned hostile as workers moved to exercise their choice for a voice in the workplace. The UFCW and concession workers--who provide food service for visitors to the Franklin Institute an educational facility with space displays, light shows, and arts and crafts for children--pledged that they would enter the New Year united, strong and ready for action. Workers would not back down in the face of management opposition. Before the first work day of 2000 was done, workers voted 14 to 1 for the UFCW. The National Labor Relations Board conducted the election on January 3. "Workers clearly sent a message: Unionization is the solution for 21st century working families," said UFCW Local 56 President Anthony Cinaglia. "Simply put, the UFCW is an outfit that wins for workers. We started the year winning and we're the union that keeps on winning for workers." |
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