Recent News
May 17, 2013 Many people would be surprised to know that garment making is quite possibly the most dangerous job “outside of war zones,” as Washington Post writer Harold Meyerson puts it in a recent article about the dangerous cycle that is the garment industry. The death toll from last month’s building collapse in Rana Plaza, a garment [...] May 16, 2013 Last week, UFCW Local 455 Kroger clerks and meat cutters ratified a new three-year contract that improves healthcare benefits, increases wages, and preserves pensions. The new contract covers more than 13,000 Kroger clerk and meat workers, including part-time workers, in the Houston area. “The wage improvements are great,” said Kroger associate Lenda Cadoree. “These hard [...] May 13, 2013 Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement issued by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) President Joseph Hansen regarding the decision of H&M and other retailers to sign a legally binding agreement to improve workplace safety in Bangladesh: “The UFCW applauds H&M and other retailers for accepting binding building safety standards at [...] May 13, 2013 Washington, DC- Today, the Making Change at Walmart campaign and its coalition partners announced the launch of a new website www.ReallyWalmart.org. The website, which showcases a number of video interviews of Walmart employees, community activists, environmentalists and others sharing their experiences with and concerns about Walmart, comes on the heels of Walmart launching a new multimillion-dollar [...] May 13, 2013 H&M has accepted binding building safety standards at Bangladeshi garment factories following the recent fire and building collapse that killed more than 1,000 garment workers in Bangladesh. By signing the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, H&M is taking the high road and putting people before profits at their supplier factories. Thousands of [...] May 9, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The UFCW yesterday released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1406, the inappropriately named Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 which would take money out of the pockets of America’s hourly workers. “Anytime House Republicans talk about flexibility, working families should reach for their wallets. H.R. 1406 is [...] May 8, 2013 On April 26, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overturned the results of a union election based on Target’s worker rights violations at their store in Valley Stream, N.Y. during the campaign last year. Additionally, the NLRB found that the company systematically violated the rights of workers nationwide by maintaining illegal work rules designed to [...] May 8, 2013 WASHINGTON, DC –The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union and the Food Manufacturers Immigration Coalition (FMIC) yesterday announced their partnership on comprehensive immigration reform in a letter sent to the Senate “Gang of Eight,” praising them for their efforts on S. 744. The labor-business coalition is also seeking improvements to the Senate bill in [...] May 6, 2013 Mother’s Day is when we give back to the women who gave us life. Why not also make it a day to give back to and support union workers who help keep our country going? It’s easy to pamper mom with union-made gifts, or make her a home-cooked, union-ingredient meal! With help from resources like [...] May 2, 2013 Los Angeles, Calif. – The National Retail Justice Alliance, in partnership with the UFCW, hosted a hearing today in Los Angeles with Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.) to highlight the social and economic plight of part-time workers in retail and other service industries. The hearing also underscored the need for the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights [...] May 2, 2013 WASHINGTON – On April 26, 2013, the National Labor Relations Board overturned the results of a union election based on Target’s worker rights violations at their store in Valley Stream, New York during the campaign last year. Additionally, the Board found that the company systematically violated the rights of workers nationwide by maintaining illegal work [...] May 1, 2013 The Retail Justice Alliance stands with our sisters and brothers in Bangladesh who were told to report to work in a building that had severe structural cracks and lost their lives. As the death toll continues to rise in Bangladesh after the collapse of a building that housed garment factory workers, it’s clear that cheap [...] May 1, 2013 Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement issued by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union: “As the death toll continues to rise in Bangladesh after the collapse of a building that housed garment factory workers, it’s clear that cheap apparel comes at too great a human cost. UFCW members in the U.S. [...] May 1, 2013 Last week, nearly 100 UFCW members and staff from UFCW Locals 1, 342, 464A, 888, 1262, and 1500 traveled to the New York State Capitol in Albany to lobby their elected officials about important issues facing working men and women. The delegation lobbied New York State Assembly Members and Senators in support of offering college [...] May 1, 2013 UFCW Local 1776 members who work in 16 Greater Philadelphia area ShopRite supermarkets have ratified new two-year labor contracts. The agreements provide for wage increases and maintain healthcare, other benefits, and pensions. The contracts cover 2,300 ShopRite workers. Members have worked for nearly a year under an extension of their previous contract that expired last [...] May 1, 2013 UFCW’s political action committee, the Active Ballot Club (ABC), has launched its 2013 contest. By supporting worker friendly candidates and issues at the federal, state, and local level, ABC helps workers and their families win the respect that they deserve on and off the job. From increasing the minimum wage to improving workplace safety to [...] April 30, 2013 Hey union ladies! Want to learn more about the labor movement, and how you can become a stronger leader? You will learn about these, and much, much more by attending any of the three Union Women’s Summer School programs being offered this summer by The United Association for Labor Education! Registration is now open for [...] April 26, 2013 ONTARIO, Calif. – Javier Rodriguez, a leader for change inside Walmart’s contracted warehouses in Southern California, was fired yesterday from his job as a forklift driver. Rodriguez, along with Warehouse Workers United, filed formal federal charges today to protest the illegal firing. “Walmart is committed to one thing, looking the other way when workers in [...] April 25, 2013 This Sunday, April 28th is Worker Memorial Day, in which we take time to remember and honor those who have lost their lives on the job. With the tragedies of the past two weeks fresh on our minds, this year’s Worker Memorial Day is particularly somber and offers us a chance to rededicate ourselves to [...] April 25, 2013 Thousands of Americare workers from UFCW Local 348-S in New York City ratified a new contract in an overwhelming city-wide vote on Saturday. The new contract includes a new system that ensures worker seniority when it assigns cases. Members also have improved bereavement leave and secured leave for union stewards. Americare home health aides take [...] April 24, 2013 By standing together in the plant, and with other UFCW members, Viscofan workers in Danville, Ill. recently ratified a new three-year contract. The new contract includes better wages and safety improvements. Workers in the Danville plant manufacture casings used the in the production of meat products like sausages and deli meats. The contract ratification follows [...] April 19, 2013 A group of Guitar Center workers are standing up to Bain Capital to demand their rights to come together with their co-workers to fight for better wages and working conditions. Workers at the world’s largest musical instrument retailer are standing together for their rights in New York City and other areas across the country. Guitar [...] April 19, 2013 By now, most of us have heard of Sheryl Sandberg’s (COO of Facebook) controversial book entitled “Lean In”, which, among other things, coaches women to negotiate for higher pay in the workplace. The problem? While Sandberg’s advice may be sound for women who are nearly at or are employed in top positions, her advice to [...] April 19, 2013 This week, two grocery store workers traveled from Richmond, VA all the way to Amsterdam in the Netherlands in the name of workers’ rights. Shaquana Battle and George Miles both work for Martin’s Food Markets, which, along with Giant Food, Peapod, and Stop & Shop, is owned by the Dutch company Royal Ahold NV. The [...] April 18, 2013 The Making Change at Walmart campaign is calling on community supporters for a national day of action on April 24. OUR Walmart workers and allies will be calling on Walmart to keep its public commitment on hours and scheduling. OUR Walmart member Rose Campbell is a grandmother of 14 and has worked at Walmart for [...] April 15, 2013 Republican House Majority leader Eric Cantor is spearheading a bill that has the potential to deny low-wage workers of their overtime pay. It’s being pushed by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), a lobbying firm that represents large U.S. retailers – among them Walmart and Target. The name of the bill — The Working Families [...] April 11, 2013 Earlier this week, members of UFCW Local 655 rallied in St. Charles against anti-worker legislation being considered in the Missouri legislature. St. Charles is represented by Senate Majority Leader Tom Dempsey—a Republican whose caucus has been pushing no rights at work and paycheck deception bills. The rally was attended by about 200 members. Among them [...] April 10, 2013 On April 8, members of UFCW Local 348-S and allies rallied at the Homeland Security Office of Investigation in New York City. Members are fighting the Department of Homeland Security audits of work authorization records that could threaten the livelihood of immigrant workers in New York. New York’s office of Homeland Security Investigations has announced [...] April 9, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, International President of the UFCW, today released the following statement after President Obama made three nominations to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). “Senate Republicans have made a mockery of their constitutional responsibility to advise and consent on nominations to the NLRB. Senator Lindsey Graham says the Board is out [...] April 8, 2013 Last week, a press conference was held by various groups who have united to file a lawsuit against Walmart, in hopes of keeping the mega-corporation out of LA’s Chinatown. Walmart’s track record as a small-business killer is threatening to Chinatown, which has a thriving, tight-knit community of local businesses. Martha Sellars, a Walmart associate from [...] April 5, 2013 Reposted from Warehouse Workers United: Exactly one month ago, on March 4, garment workers in Nicaragua were brutally beaten during a peaceful protest when the company they work for – SAE-A, a Walmart supplier – paid a mob of more than 300 other workers to attack these employees, using scissors, metal pipes, and other [...] April 5, 2013 Yesterday, history was made when a poll found that, for the first time ever, more than half of the US is in favor of legalizing marijuana. The survey, done by Pew research center, found that 52% of Americans were for legalization, and 45% against, meaning support for legal pot has grown 11 percentage points in [...] April 4, 2013 Walmart has been touting claims about its fresh produce, healthy food options, and great products all around for a while now, but recently, customers have been finding that the selection of great food products available at Walmart is not up to par with all the company claims it to be. A few examples that went [...] April 4, 2013 On Friday, March 29, Keany Produce drivers stood up for their rights, living standards, safety, and health and retirement security by voting overwhelmingly for representation by UFCW Local 400. After years of frustration over low pay, inadequate benefits, inconsistent hours, and unfair treatment, many of the 140 drivers decided they needed to empower themselves through [...] April 3, 2013 Duane has worked for Juicy Couture, a high end retailer, for almost four years as a stocker. Darrell was a full-time sales associate for the store for more than two years. At first, they enjoyed their jobs at Juicy’s flagship store in New York City. But recently, things have changed. Darrell was recently fired for [...] April 3, 2013 Walmart likes to claim that they are organic, sustainable, and all about healthy options. But in reality, Walmart is a driving force in the unhealthy lifestyles that have led to an “epidemic” of weight and diet-related health problems in our country. Walmart’s share of the grocery market stands at an unprecedented and increasingly-growing 25%. This [...] April 1, 2013 New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirm the need for livable wages for retailers and workers in the service industry. The new data show that workers in the retail industry typically make about $25,000 per year—a far cry from the nation’s average annual pay of $45,790. The retail sector is the largest industry [...] March 27, 2013 On March 26, the National Retail Justice Alliance, in partnership with the UFCW, Citizen Action/Illinois, Women Employed and Jobs With Justice, hosted a hearing at the Spertus Institute in Chicago with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) to highlight the economic plight of part-time workers in retail and other service industries. The hearing also underscored the need [...] March 27, 2013 UFCW Local 400 members and labor allies including Respect DC, and the DC Labor Council attended a hearing to support the Large Retailer Accountability Act. The bill would require large retailers, those with stores over 75,000 square feet and over $1 billion in revenue, to pay the DC Living Wage and follow the First Source [...] March 27, 2013 Local 220* Mott’s workers in New York have ratified a new contract. The contract contains wage improvements, signing bonuses, secures health care coverage for over 300 employees at the plant, and contains numerous language improvements that will help workers with scheduling and overtime issues. In 2010, Local 220* members employed at the Mott’s plant in [...]Time to Take Responsibility
UFCW Local 455 Kroger Members Ratify New Three-Year Contract
President Hansen on Decision of H&M and Others to Improve Workplace Safety in Bangladesh
Walmart Associates, Community Supporters Launch New Website www.ReallyWalmart.org
H&M Takes Responsibility for Workplace Safety in Bangladesh
UFCW Statement on House Bill Attacking Hourly Workers
Target Violated Federal Labor Law, Workers’ Rights According to NLRB Decision
UFCW, Food Manufacturers Form Alliance on Senate Immigration Bill
Make Mom Proud by Giving her a Union-Made Mother’s Day
National Retail Justice Alliance Highlights Struggles of Part-Time Workers in Hearing with Congresswoman Judy Chu
Target Violated Federal Labor Law, Workers’ Rights According to Sweeping Labor Board Decision
Retail Justice Alliance Stands with Bangladesh Factory Wokers This May Day
Statement by the United Food and Commerical Workers Union Regarding the Tragedy in Bangladesh
UFCW Members Lobby New York Legislators About Middle Class Concerns
UFCW Local 1776 ShopRite Workers Ratify New Contracts
2013 ABC Contest
Union Women’s Summer School Registration Open Now!
Warehouse Workers, Community Organizations Call on Walmart to Stop Retaliatory Firings in Contracted Warehouse
Remembering Those Who Have Fallen
UFCW Local 348-S Americare Workers Ratify New Contract
Unity Bargaining, In-Plant Solidarity Secures New Contract for Viscofan Workers
Guitar Center Workers Stand Up for Their Rights to Join RWDSU
“Leaning In” Leaves Out Many Women Workers
A Trip Across the Pond to Protect Workers Rights In America
April 24th National Day of Action on Hours and Scheduling at Walmart
Another Attack on the American Worker
UFCW Local 655 Members Rally Against Anti-Worker Bills in Missouri
Members from UFCW Local 348-S Fight Immigration “Silent Raids” at the Workplace
UFCW President Hansen Statement on NLRB Nominations
OUR Walmart Members Attend Press Conference Surrounding Fight to Keep Walmart Out of Chinatown
More Worker Abuse at a Walmart Supplier…
Majority of Americans Now Support Legal Cannabis
Walmart Falling Flat with Not-so-Fresh Foods
Keany Produce Drivers Say ‘Yes” to a Union Voice with UFCW Local 400
High End Retailer Juicy Couture Not Taking Care of its Workers
Walmart is Key Player in America’s Health Problem
New Data Confirm Need for Livable Wages for Retailers and Service Industry Workers
Retail Justice Alliance and Other Stakeholders Address Economic Struggles of Part-Time Workers in Hearing with Rep. Jan Schakowsky
UFCW Members and Allies Attend Large Retailer Act Hearing
RWDSU Mott’s Workers Ratify New Contract with Stronger Benefits