Legislation would require food companies to provide fair wages and safe working conditions to do business with the USDA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.2 million essential workers across North America, endorsed the Agricultural Worker Justice Act, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT).
UFCW International President Milton Jones said:
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture spends billions of dollars every year buying food, and that food should not come from companies that mistreat their workers. The Agricultural Worker Justice Act ensures that food and agricultural companies that exploit workers cannot do so on the dime of American taxpayers.
“Food workers are critical to the health of our nation and deserve fair wages and safe working conditions. How we spend our tax dollars shows our values as a country, which is why the UFCW is proud to support legislation that promotes good jobs for food workers, including hundreds of thousands of UFCW members.”
BACKGROUND
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases food for domestic food assistance programs, such as child nutrition programs like the National School Lunch Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program, as well as international assistance programs. The USDA procures food to increase demand and stabilize U.S. agricultural markets and prices.
- In FY 2023, the U.S. government spent $7.7 billion on food and agricultural products from companies, but had no standards for how these companies treat their workers. The Agricultural Worker Justice Act would promote fair wages and strong safety standards in the workplace by linking federal food procurement to workers’ pay and treatment on the job.
- The bill would also increase funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection capacity, make line speeds safer, ensure workers have access to restroom facilities and breaks, and create a framework for workers to hold their employers accountable to high workplace standards.
- This legislation comes as the Senate considers a Farm Bill that slashes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, greenlights handouts to powerful agricultural interests, and fails to address critical issues facing workers. The UFCW has actively advocated against this Farm Bill. The Agricultural Worker Justice Act is a chance for Congress to stand up for the hard-working Americans who keep our communities fed and rectify the faults of the Farm Bill.
CONTACT: Finn Storer press@ufcw.org