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News and Updates
Politics
February 24, 2017
Why Tom Perez Should Be DNC Chair
As the DNC prepares to elect new leadership, UFCW International President Marc Perrone penned an op-ed in U.S. News & World Report that explains why Tom Perez is the best candidate for hard-working men and women. A key excerpt is below:
The success of the Democratic Party will come down to its ability to do one thing: put hard-working families first.
Tom Perez understands the realities faced by hard-working men and women across America who deserve and have earned a better life. Our union family experienced this firsthand when he was Secretary of Labor during the Obama administration. We saw his passion and commitment to improving the lives of workers when he joined with us to push for better working conditions at our nation’s poultry plants, where workplace safety and health is a key concern.
The truth is that too many good people, from all backgrounds, are struggling to make ends meet and they’re tired of it.
In order for the Democratic Party to help these families and connect with these voters, their message and how they communicate must change. They must do a better job of speaking to voters’ economic needs and social wants, and they must mobilize people who do not see the clear difference between political parties. We believe Tom Perez can do that.
You can read the full op-ed online on the U.S. News & World Report website.
February 16, 2017
UFCW Responds to President Trump’s New Nominee for Secretary of Labor
On Feb. 16, UFCW International President Marc Perrone issued a statement in response to President Trump’s selection of Alexander Acosta as his next choice for Secretary of Labor.
“If confirmed as Secretary of Labor, Mr. Acosta’s top priority will be protecting the rights of all men and women. Hard-working families need and deserve a labor secretary who will push for and implement policies that will turn the tide against declining wages and rising income inequality.
“It’s critical for the person running the Department of Labor to be willing and able to be a champion for all workers, including our members, who deserve and have earned a better life. In the coming days and weeks, we will be reviewing Mr. Acosta’s positions and past statements to see how they’ve impacted UFCW members, their families and all hard-working men and women.”
June 18, 2015
President Perrone: Today’s Fast Track Vote Displays Desperation
Washington, D.C. — Today, Marc Perrone, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the largest private sector union in the nation, released the following statement in response to the U.S. House passing stand-alone fast track trade legislation.
“Today’s vote in the U.S. House displays the desperate levels that supporters of this terrible trade deal will stoop to, and a complete disregard for America’s workers and their families.
“Instead of addressing the massive failures of past trade agreements, the House and the President have doubled down on a disastrous strategy that will cost jobs, lower wages and worsen already record levels of income inequality.
“Make no mistake, every member of the House, both Republicans and Democrats, who sent Fast Track to the Senate today will be remembered for turning their backs on America’s working families when it mattered most.
“Going forward, we will shift our focus to the Senate where multiple Senators have already expressed doubt about this latest and most frantic attempt to pass Fast Track. We will make clear to every Senator that the best place to stand is against Fast Track and with the hard-working men and women of America.”
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Join the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) online at www.ufcw.org
We are 1.3 million families standing together to build an economy that every hard-working family deserves.
June 12, 2015
President Perrone: “The Best Way to Help the Jobless is to Stop Passing Trade Agreements like TPP that Kill Jobs.”
Washington, D.C. — Today, Marc Perrone, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the largest private sector union in the nation, released the following statement in response to the U.S. House failing to advance fast track trade legislation.
“This is a victory for hard-working men and women all across America. In the face of long odds, the American people sent a powerful message that their interests trump narrow political agendas and special interests.
“Today, we saw elected leaders stand up and make clear that the failed promises of global trade agreements, which only seem to serve irresponsible corporations, must come to an end. More importantly, we have seen what hard-working families can accomplish when we stand together and fight for what is right for both workers and this nation.
“With respect to TAA, we support a clean extension of the program, but the best way to help the jobless is to simply stop passing trade agreements like TPP that kill jobs.
“While one vote does not end the fight, our campaign for a better America will continue full speed ahead until the threat of TPP and other unfair trade deals is gone for good.”
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Join the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) online at www.ufcw.org
We are 1.3 million families standing together to build an economy that every hard-working family deserves.
June 4, 2015
UFCW Members in Missouri Will Not Rest Until Right to Work is Defeated Once and for All
Missouri — Dave Cook, President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 655, Steven Straher, President of UFCW Local 88, and Tom Price, President of UFCW Local 2, representing 20,000 workers across Missouri, today released the following statement in response to Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of right to work legislation.
“On behalf of the 20,000 members of the UFCW in Missouri, we thank Governor Nixon for vetoing a bill designed to silence the voice of workers. Right to work would lower wages and standards across our state and we will continue to fight it tooth and nail until the veto is sustained in September.
“Right to work sounds good on paper, but in reality it means lower paying jobs, fewer benefits, and more dangerous workplaces. It is being pushed by out of state special interests who believe workers do not deserve a say in the terms of their employment. Plain and simple, it’s a corporate giveaway at the expense of everyday Missouri families.
“We’ve been fighting this legislation for 5 years so you better believe we are ready for another three months. Right to work proponents may not have the votes to override now, but the millionaires and billionaires pushing this bill will spend the summer trying to change that. In the meantime, the UFCW will be working with our Republican and Democratic partners in the Legislature to sustain the veto. UFCW members will be reaching out directly to their friends and neighbors to let them know that Missouri cannot afford a future with right to work.
“Simply put, right to work would be a disaster for the hard-working families of our state and the UFCW will not rest until it is defeated once and for all.”
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Join the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) online at www.ufcw.org
We are 1.3 million families standing together to build an economy that every hard-working family deserves.
May 13, 2015
UFCW President Perrone in the Washington Post: The Trans-Pacific trade deal is bad news for workers
The following letter from International President Marc Perrone appeared in the Washington Post.
Edward Alden’s May 7 op-ed, “Why unions need a new trade strategy,” did not detail the devastating impact that unfair trade deals have on hard-working men and women. Mr. Alden was correct that workers need more than talk. They deserve good wages and benefits, fair and reliable schedules, respect on the job and a secure retirement — none of which would come from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
The bluster Mr. Alden mentioned has been coming from supporters of trade. For 40 years, U.S. trade policies have devastated families and led to lost jobs, stagnant wages and rising levels of income inequality. Mr. Alden seemed to ignore this brutal reality in favor of tweaks to a trade model that is flawed at its core.
The truth is that no elected official truly interested in making the economy better and fairer can support the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This trade deal is bad for our workers, families and shared future.
The Washington and Wall Street establishments say this deal will be different. It will not be. So the labor movement, workers and all those who want a fairer and more just America should not be fooled into supporting it.
Marc Perrone, Washington
May 13, 2015
UFCW President Perrone: Hard-Working Americans Have Sent a Message Loud and Clear—No TPP
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Marc Perrone, International President of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement after the Senate failed to advance fast track legislation.
“All across this country, hard-working Americans from every political stripe have sent a message loud and clear—no more trade deals that destroy American jobs and families. The failure of the Senate to advance fast track legislation is not only a stinging defeat for supporters of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP); it makes clear that the American people will not be fooled into supporting another bad trade deal.
“Just a few weeks ago, all of the pundits believed that fast track and the TPP were a lock to pass: they were wrong. Our 1.3 million members, the entire labor movement, progressive Democrats, and conservative Republicans have all stood up and spoke out against this disastrous trade deal. More importantly, this is what is possible when we all stand together and fight for what is right for our families, our jobs, and our nation. While this battle is far from over, we can only hope that President Obama and every TPP supporter hears the voices of the American people and understands that this is a fight they cannot and should not win.”
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Join the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) online at www.ufcw.org
We are 1.3 million families standing together to build an economy that every hard-working family deserves.
May 1, 2015
UFCW President Perrone: With all due respect to President Obama, TPP will hurt hard-working families
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Marc Perrone, International President of the largest private sector union in the nation, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), sent letters to all 535 members of the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate urging them to listen to hard-working families and oppose fast tracking the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Perrone also directly responds to the assertion made by President Obama, and others, that critics of TPP and Fast Track do not understand the agreement.
“With all due respect to President Obama and the elected politicians who support this trade deal, this agreement will hurt hard-working families, workers, and our shared future,” said Perrone in the letter to Congress.
He further adds, “In actuality, we understand the harsh reality that workers and families will again pay the price.“
The letter details why fast tracking the TPP would make life more difficult for hard-working American families.
The following are excerpts from the letter:
“For over three decades, fast track trade deals have brought broken promises–not prosperity –to hard-working families. During the recent era of free trade agreements families have endured lost jobs, stagnant wages and rising levels of income inequality.
“In the face of these truths, we are told by those who support this bad trade deal that we are misunderstanding the positives. In actuality, we understand the harsh reality that workers and families will again pay the price.”
“For Members of Congress to accept a trade deal that will govern 40% of the world’s GDP with no opportunity to make changes that would ensure the interests of hard-working families isn’t just wrong–it’s dangerous.”
“Given the impact these agreements will have on our nation, we need more debate on trade, not less.”
“At a time when our elected leaders should be focusing on raising wages, creating more opportunity, and addressing income inequality, ‘fast track’ trade promotion authority accomplishes the opposite. With that in mind, we strongly urge you to vote no.”
The full letter to members of the House and Senate is pasted below.
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Join the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) online at www.ufcw.org
We are 1.3 million families standing together to build an economy that every hard-working family deserves.
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Dear Members of Congress:
On behalf of the 1.3 million hard-working men and women of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), I urge you to oppose “fast track” trade promotion authority. With all due respect to President Obama and the elected politicians who support this trade deal, this agreement will hurt hard-working families, workers, and our shared future.
For over three decades, fast track trade deals have brought broken promises–not prosperity–to hard-working families. During the recent era of free trade agreements families have endured lost jobs, stagnant wages and rising levels of income inequality. In the face of these truths, we are told by those who support this bad trade deal that we are misunderstanding the positives. In actuality, we understand the harsh reality that workers and families will again pay the price.
Fast track has been used to push through some of our nation’s most destructive trade agreements and the TPP may be the worst yet. It would roll back regulations that could be construed as a “barrier to trade,” which includes environmental, consumer, and labor protections. And it has been put together in secret, with the advice and counsel of hundreds of corporate special interests but absolutely no input from labor or other groups that fight on behalf of the working and middle classes.
For Members of Congress to accept a trade deal that will govern 40% of the world’s GDP with no opportunity to make changes that would ensure the interests of hard-working families isn’t just wrong – it’s dangerous. Given the impact these agreements will have on our nation, we need more debate on trade, not less.
At a time when our elected leaders should be focusing on raising wages, creating more opportunity, and addressing income inequality, “fast track” trade promotion authority accomplishes the opposite.
With that in mind, we strongly urge you to vote no.
Sincerely,
Anthony M. Perrone
International President
April 23, 2015
UFCW Applauds Confirmation of Loretta Lynch as Attorney General
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Marc Perrone, International President of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement in response to the confirmation of Loretta Lynch as Attorney General of the United States.
“We congratulate Loretta Lynch on being confirmed as Attorney General. And we decry the Senate leadership for delaying her confirmation vote in unprecedented fashion over the President’s legal and necessary executive actions on immigration.
Now more than ever, workers need a champion leading the Department of Justice. With voting rights under assault and corporations seeking to grab levels of power that hurt everyday Americans, Ms. Lynch has a tough job ahead of her. But her unique qualifications, experience, and character give us the utmost confidence that she will be a strong advocate for hard-working men and women.”
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Join the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) online at www.ufcw.org
We are 1.3 million families standing together to build an economy that every hard-working family deserves.
April 16, 2015
Could Trade Deal Be Hillary Clinton’s Next Food Fight?
The following article was published in National Journal:
Hillary Clinton must choose between her president and her base on the latest trade deal in Congress – and now she has more food for thought.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union urged Congress today to defeat fast-track legislation and the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact, both supported by President Obama. Worse for Clinton, union chief Marc Perrone issued a thinly veiled threat to Democratic politicians who defy his members.
“Given all we know, how any elected official, Democrat or Republican, can support TPP is inexplicable,” the union’s new president wrote in an op-ed for The Hill. “Let me be very clear, no elected official, regardless of political party, who is truly interested in making the economy better and fairer, can responsibly support the TPP. Simply put, this trade deal, like so many others, is bad for our workers, families, and shared future.”
The move is a blow to Obama because the UFCW has a history of being open to trade deals; Perrone was lobbied heavily by the White House. More significant: The union is among the top donors to Democratic congressional candidates, contributing $1.7 million to Obama’s party last cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The move is a threat to Clinton. While Perrone said in a statement to National Journal that “the primary focus right now is every member of Congress,” he suggested the focus will shift to the Democratic front-runner.
“When deciding who to support in 2016, we will wait and see what the 2016 candidates say and do on trade, but we will strongly consider all of the issues important to hard-working families, including the TPP,” the statement said.
Clinton is in a no-win position. In March, Politico explained it this way:
If she comes out for fast track, it will alienate her labor and environmental base. If she opposes the legislation, it puts her at odds with President Barack Obama and her previous support as secretary of state for the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, opening her to charges of being a flip-flopper.
Progressive Democrats urging Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren to get in the presidential race want Clinton to clarify her position as early as possible, given pending action in Congress on a “fast track” trade promotion authority bill, said Neil Sroka, a spokesman for Democracy for America, the group founded by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.
The UFCW decision is designed to remind Clinton and other Democrats that they can’t take unions or union workers for granted, according to a UFCW official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Elected in December to head the union of 1.3 million members, Perrone is trying to increase the relevance of the UFCW and unions in general after decades of declining membership and might.