WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), America’s largest private sector union representing 1.2 million workers in meatpacking, food processing, grocery, retail, and other essential industries across North America, released a statement in response to passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
UFCW International President Milton Jones said:
“The UFCW is deeply disappointed that Congress passed this damaging, ugly bill that ignores the needs of working families and makes cuts that are not just cruel – they are economically reckless.
“Both Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid do much more than help families make ends meet. These programs support union jobs in grocery stores, meatpacking plants, and health care facilities across the country.
“80 percent of SNAP dollars are spent at traditional grocery stores where our members work and feed their communities. When families lose access to food assistance, grocery sales drop. That means fewer hours, fewer jobs, and more strain on workers all along the food supply chain, including meatpacking and food processing workers. Rural communities that rely on meatpacking and food processing jobs will be devastated.
“Similarly, UFCW members working in hospitals, nursing homes, and health care facilities depend on Medicaid funding to care for patients and keep their doors open. These cuts will lead to more layoffs, more burnout, and fewer staff to care for those in need.
“This bill delivers real harm to working people, all while extending tax breaks for the wealthy. UFCW members keep this country fed, healthy, and running. They deserve better than cuts to the very programs that support their work and their communities.”
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The UFCW International is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.2 million workers and their families in grocery, meatpacking, food processing, healthcare, cannabis, retail, and other essential industries. UFCW members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.