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, celebrated the passage of Assembly Bill A7929A in New York, which bans grocery stores and other retail outlets from refusing cash payments. The state of New York now joins New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia in banning cashless stores.
UFCW International President Milton Jones said:
“The UFCW applauds Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for protecting both consumers and workers with Assembly Bill A7929A.
“Millions of Americans use cash every day for their purchases. Many people choose to pay in cash to protect themselves from targeted advertising and predatory pricing schemes, like surveillance pricing. Low-income families and people who are homeless often have to use cash because they don’t have access to a bank or debit and credit cards.
“UFCW members help their customers pay in cash so they can buy essentials and put food on the table. Discriminating against consumers who wish to pay in cash hurts workers, too. These commonsense measures to protect workers and consumers from cashless stores are gaining momentum, and we thank New York’s leaders for continuing to lead the way.”
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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.