WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the union for 1.3 million essential workers in food and retail, applauded the election of Liz Shuler as the president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) as part of the most diverse leadership team ever elected in the organization’s history. The AFL-CIO is a federation of 56 national and international labor unions, including UFCW, which represents 12.5 million working men and women.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:
“American workers have a powerful champion in Liz Shuler. As the first woman to serve as president of the AFL-CIO, Liz is a trailblazer who knows the importance of breaking barriers and building an economy where every worker and family has the opportunity to succeed. With Fred Richmond becoming the AFL-CIO’s first African-American to serve as Secretary-Treasurer and Tefere Gebre continuing to serve as Executive Vice President, it is clear that this diverse new leadership team is ready to stand up for all the hardworking men and women keeping our economy running and our communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With essential workers in grocery stores, meatpacking plants, and so many other businesses continuing to confront the dangers of this pandemic, there has never been a greater need for strong leaders ready to hold corporations and politicians accountable and stand up for these brave men and women to ensure they have the safe workplaces, good pay, and essential benefits they have earned and deserve.
“As one of the largest members of the federation, the UFCW is proud to support Liz Shuler and this historic new leadership team at the AFL-CIO which is ready to build on the legacy of Richard Trumka and all who came before. Together, we will continue the vital mission of America’s labor movement to strengthen protections for American workers across the country and support the good jobs that our economy and communities need.”
UFCW International is the largest private sector union in the United States. UFCW International represents 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.