Recent News
October 15, 2013 Local 770 dispensary workers at two medical cannabis dispensaries are celebrating the ratification of their first union contract. Workers at Greenhouse Herbal Center and LA Wonderland-Hot Zone in Los Angeles have negotiated contracts that will raise standards at their dispensaries while ensuring that the dispensaries adhere to labor laws and industry standards. Workers view this […] October 10, 2013 Houston, Texas – Over 250 Maximus Coffee Group workers in Houston, a majority of who are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 455, went on strike this morning to protest the company’s plan to reduce wages from 25 to 50 percent per hour, reduce retirement benefits, increase insurance premiums, […] October 9, 2013 Washington, DC—Four UFCW activists were among those arrested yesterday outside the U.S. Capitol while protesting the failure of House Republican leaders to pass comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship. The march, which included tens of thousands of people from across the country, followed over 180 similar actions in 40 states this weekend. “Today […] October 8, 2013 Because union members tend to be educated about workplace safety, union workplaces are the safest workplaces! Now, The UFCW Occupational Safety and Health Office will be educating even more union members about staying safe at work with a new program that uses video technology to deliver safety trainings. UFCW locals that are interested are welcome […] October 7, 2013 Zeynep Ton, an adjunct associate professor at the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management, recently spoke at a TEDx event in Cambridge, Mass., and delivered a provocative analysis of the economic advantages retailers can achieve by investing in their workforce. Drawing on a decade of research, Ton maintains that retailers such as Costco that invest in […] October 7, 2013 Reposted from The Walmart 1% As the government shutdown drags on, many pundits have drawn attention to how gerrymandering has helped give the American people a handful of right-wing Republicans willing to shut down the government as part of their ideological crusade against Obamacare. What has not been widely understood is how Walmart, the nation’s […] October 4, 2013 Over the last year, Walmart workers and members of the Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart) have called on the retail giant to stop its practice of retaliating against workers who are simply exercising their right to speak out for a better life and improved working conditions. Their calls for change have been […] October 2, 2013 UFCW Locals 21, 367, and Teamsters Local 38 sent a strong message of solidarity to Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC, and Albertsons last week when they voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The 98 percent strike authorization vote is the workers’ latest step in their fight for fair treatment, pay, and benefits. Contract negotiations will continue […] October 1, 2013 Joe Hansen, International President of the UFCW has written an op-ed for the Huffington Post. In it, he poses a very important question to House Republicans and Speaker Boehner: are they going to continue to criminalize undocumented immigrants, causing families to be torn apart and workers to be taken advantage of, or are they going […] September 27, 2013 Earlier this month, with support from UFCW locals across the Golden State, California’s legislature voted to increase the state’s minimum wage to $10 per hour. This week, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law. This means that California will soon have the highest minimum wage in the country. California’s minimum wage had been […] September 27, 2013 In response to last year’s Black Friday actions, Walmart filed a lawsuit in Washington state court against OUR Walmart and its supporters alleging trespass and requesting a court order to prohibit future OUR Walmart actions inside and outside of Walmart stores. OUR Walmart fought the lawsuit and successfully persuaded the Washington judge to dismiss it […] September 26, 2013 Since May, hundreds of workers at Los Angeles area CVS stores have stood together and joined UFCW Local 770, bringing the total number of newly unionized CVS stores to 50 and more than doubling the number of new stores under contract. These workers join more than 8,000 CVS workers in 11 states and the District […] September 26, 2013 Will you be in the DC area on October 3rd? Then you should definitely take the opportunity to stop by the AFL-CIO headquarters for a great book-club event! The featured book and discussion with the author will be about Don’t Buy It: The Trouble with Talking Nonsense About the Economy, by Anat Shenker-Osorio. In her […] September 19, 2013 New data released this week underscore the fact that smaller numbers of unionized workers mean less bargaining power, a weakened middle class and lower wages for everyone. On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau released its annual report on incomes and poverty. According to the report, the median household income in the U.S. in 2012 was […] September 19, 2013 Last week, Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray vetoed the Large Retailer Accountability Act (LRAA) which would have required big box retailers to pay a $12.50 per hour minimum wage. D.C. residents from neighborhoods throughout the city took their calls for fair wages and good jobs to the D.C. City Council today in light of the […] September 18, 2013 UFCW International Vice President and Director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department Esther Lopez was arrested last Thursday as part of a historic action to call attention to the need for comprehensive immigration reform. The protestors, which included over 100 women—half of them non-citizens—blockaded an intersection outside the House of Representatives. The goal […] September 17, 2013 A passionate argument on behalf of the middle class, INEQUALITY FOR ALL features Robert Reich – professor, best-selling author, and Clinton cabinet member – as he demonstrates how the widening income gap has a devastating impact on the American economy. The film is an intimate portrait of a man whose lifelong goal remains protecting those […] September 12, 2013 Washington, DC — Today, members of Respect DC, a coalition of grassroots-based organizations, pastors, workers, and community members concerned about the quality of life in the nation’s capital, released the following statement in response to Mayor Vincent Gray’s veto of the Large Retailer Accountability Act (LRAA). Gray’s veto comes just two days after the Fair […] September 11, 2013 Workers at Cosmo’s Food Products, Inc., in West Haven, Conn., are celebrating the signing of their first union contract. This victory comes seven months after the workers at Cosmo’s voted to join UFCW Local 371. “I’m proud of the union contract that we negotiated,” said Araceli Flores, Cosmo’s Food worker. “This contract will mean more […] September 9, 2013 At the AFL-CIO 2013 Convention in downtown Los Angeles, UFCW delegates received a warm welcome from the union federation as they took the stage to celebrate the new affiliation with the AFL-CIO in a movement to build a stronger, more unified voice for the rights of workers. “We’re home,” said UFCW President Joe Hansen after […] September 6, 2013 Group Announces Massive 2013 Black Friday Strikes WASHINGTON – September 6 – One hundred Walmart workers and community members were arrested in 11 cities Thursday calling on the employer to reinstate illegally fired and disciplined workers, publicly commit to improve jobs and end the company’s aggressive violations of workers’ rights. Thousands of supporters, including the […] September 5, 2013 Today, Walmart workers and their supporters in over a dozen cities across the country are joining together for a nationwide day of protests—the largest mobilization since Black Friday—to call for better jobs at the country’s largest employer. Many Walmart workers are struggling to support their families and contribute to their local economies because of low […] August 30, 2013 New Contract Raises Living Standards, Maintains Benefits For 4,800 Workers in Roanoke Area ROANOKE, Va. – Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 working at Kroger in the Roanoke area successfully ratified a new, three-year collective bargaining agreement that raises their living standards and maintains their health and retirement benefits. “This agreement is […] August 30, 2013 Reposted from Making Change at Walmart It’s been an exciting week and it’s not even Labor Day yet! This week, low-wage workers of all varieties have gone out on strike to stand up for an American economy that works for working people. Earlier this week, port truck workers went out on strike in Los Angeles. […] August 30, 2013 Brother and Sisters – From the U.S. Department of Labor, where I proudly work in a building named for my great predecessor Frances Perkins, let me wish all of my friends in the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and your families – wherever you are – a safe, happy and healthy Labor Day. This […] August 28, 2013 Recently, fast food and retail workers alike have come together into tell their employers that they deserve respect on the job, and that they will no longer stand for wages that don’t allow them to make a living. Going on 1-day strikes in cities across the country, these workers have ignited conversation and action surrounding […] August 28, 2013 We need more economy-boosting jobs, not economy-busting jobs, to strengthen our communities. Watch the video from Topos and find out why. August 28, 2013 Grocery workers from UFCW Locals 21, 367 and Teamsters Local 38 will be joined by co-workers, elected officials, and community supporters in informational pickets held across the Seattle region. Today, workers from Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC, and Albertsons will hold actions at 38 different grocery locations to draw attention to their fight for fair treatment, […] August 26, 2013 Since the economy collapsed in 2008, everyone from politicians, to activists, to bankers has talked about how to get America back on track. Finally, most are beginning to see that the way to rebuild America’s economy, is to rebuild America’s middle class–not tax cuts for the rich or trickle down policies. However, although more policymakers […] August 23, 2013 This week, ten current or recently fired Walmart workers and members of the Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart) were arrested in Washington, D.C. for peaceful civil disobedience near Walmart’s downtown office. This action comes after the company fired or disciplined more than 70 workers for participating in a legally protected unfair labor […] August 23, 2013 Don Cash, president of the UFCW’s Minority Coalition a supporter of the Retail Justice Alliance, reflects on his experience at the 1963 March on Washington: (The following is from religionnews.com) Don Cash had graduated from high school in June 1963 and decided on the spur of the moment to join the March on Washington when […] August 23, 2013 This weekend, members and supporters of the Retail Justice Alliance will be joining our brothers and sisters from across the country to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his inspirational “I Have a Dream” speech, was organized […] August 22, 2013 Bringing Attention to Illegal Retaliation and Low Wages, WALMART WORKERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, CALL FOR BETTER JOBS IN NATION’S CAPITAL Thursday: March for Good Jobs at Walmart DC Office WASHINGTON, DC—Following an aggressive uptick in illegal retaliation against workers speaking out for better jobs at Walmart, a group of current and recently fired Walmart workers […] August 18, 2013 Earlier this year, UFCW launched a photo contest to highlight UFCW made products and members at work. We asked members and staff to post pictures on our Facebook app of themselves or their co-workers or members–on the job or with the products we make. Congratulations to the winners of our contest! We will be contacting […] August 16, 2013 Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement issued by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union regarding the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington: “The UFCW is proud to stand with our brothers and sisters from across the country to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and […] August 16, 2013 Adapted from UFCW Canada The UFCW 7th Regular convention convened yesterday in Chicago, wrapping up a historic gathering for North America’s most progressive and leading force for workers and their families. In an emotional speech to more than 2,500 UFCW activists, award-winning actress and social justice activist Ashley Judd thanked the union movement today […] August 16, 2013 Reposted from Making Change at Walmart Walmart’s second quarter sales report shows the continuation of negative same store sales. In response, OUR Walmart member Larry Born, who has worked at Walmart in Crestwood, IL for over three years, issued the following statement: “Today’s numbers make it clear that Walmart’s labor practices aren’t just hurting […] August 15, 2013 For retail workers across the country, this has been the summer of discontent. Although the retail sector is the largest industry by employment in the United States and has added over 350,000 jobs to the economy over the past 12 months, many of these jobs are low-wage and part-time positions. This summer, retail workers have […] August 12, 2013 Chicago, Il- Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union opened its 7th Regular Convention at the McCormick Place Convention Center in downtown Chicago. Delegates from across the U.S. and Canada representing local unions, inspired by the theme Blue. Gold. Bold. Powerful Together, are in the Windy City to chart a course for the next […] August 8, 2013 According to the Department of Labor, the retail sector continues to play a major role in adding jobs to the economy, but most of these jobs are low-wage or part-time positions. U.S. employers added 162,000 in July, and 47,000 of those jobs were in the retail sector. Although the retail sector has added 352,000 jobs […]Dispensary Workers Sign First Contract
Maximus Coffee Workers Strike in Houston to Protest Company’s Plan to Slash Benefits
UFCW Activists Arrested at Massive Immigration March
UFCW Occupational Safety & Health Office Rolling Out New Safety Trainings
M.I.T. Professor Advocates for Better Jobs for Retail Workers
How Walmart Helped Lay the Groundwork for the Government Shutdown
As the Holidays Approach, OUR Walmart Members Prepare for Black Friday Actions
Grocery workers at UFCW Locals 21 and 367 Send Strong Message to Companies with Strike Vote
President Hansen in HuffPo Op-Ed: “We Demand Reform that Protects the Rights of Immigrants”
UFCW Locals Help Push California’s Minimum Wage to Highest in the Nation
OUR Walmart Celebrates Legal Victory and Prepares for Actions Leading Up to Black Friday
Hundreds of CVS Workers in California Join UFCW Local 770
Talking About the Economy: How We Can Drive Change
New Data Link Decline of Middle Class to the Decline in Union Membership
OUR Walmart Members and Community Allies Support Living Wage Bill
UFCW Members Continue to Push Congress for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Robert Reich’s “Inequality For All” Opens Sept. 27
Statement from Respect DC on Mayor Vincent Gray’s Veto of Large Retailer Accountability Act
UFCW Local 371 Cosmo’s Workers To Sign First Contract
UFCW Members Welcomed and New Affiliation Celebrated at AFL-CIO 2013 Convention
100 Arrested in Eleven Cities Protesting Walmart’s Illegal Retaliation, Low Wages
Walmart Workers and Supporters Hold Nationwide Day of Protests Against Retail Giant
UFCW Local 400 Members Working at Kroger Successfully Ratify Three-Year Agreement
Low Wage Workers Rising
A Labor Day Message for UFCW Members from Secretary of Labor Tom Perez
Biggest Fast Food and Retail Worker Stike Yet Expected for Tomorrow Across America
Time for Living Wage Jobs for a Booming Economy
UFCW Locals 21 and 367 Hold Informational Pickets to Advocate for Grocery Workers
Study Shows A Decade of Stagnant Wages Despite Growth
Walmart Workers Arrested in Peaceful Protest
Don Cash, UFCW’s Minority Coalition President, on the March on Washington
The March on Washington: 50 years Later, the Fight for Social and Economic Equality Continues
Walmart Workers Call for Better Jobs in Nation’s Capital
UFCW Union Made Facebook Contest Winners Announced
Statement by the UFCW Regarding the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington
UFCW Convention Adjourns, ActivistsThanked for “Making the Dream Accessible”
Walmart Worker Reacts to Weak Q2 Earnings Report
Retail Workers and the Summer of Discontent
UFCW Opens 7th Regular Convention in Chicago
Retail Sector Adds Jobs in July, But Most are Low-wage or Part-time