“This decision doesn’t just erode labor rights – it damages the public’s trust in the safety of our food supply.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.2 million essential workers in grocery, meatpacking, food processing, retail, and other essential industries, denounced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to terminate union contracts that cover the department’s food safety inspectors.
UFCW International President Milton Jones said:
“All workers deserve to have a voice on the job and strong union contracts with pay increases, guaranteed benefits, and safe working conditions. The USDA unilaterally breaking union contracts that have already been signed and ratified demonstrates a disturbing, illegal pattern of union busting across federal agencies.
“Food safety inspectors work closely with UFCW members in meatpacking and food processing plants to make sure the meat, poultry, and eggs that reach families’ tables are safe to eat. This decision doesn’t just erode labor rights – it damages the public’s trust in the safety of our food supply.
“We stand with food inspectors at the USDA and their right to collective bargaining. Our federal agencies should be strengthening worker protections, not eliminating them.”
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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, health care, 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.