March 26, 2014

UFCW Local 480 Endorses Abercrombie for Governor of Hawaii

UFCW Local 480 has endorsed Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie in his bid for re-election.

Local 480 President Pat Loo said that Governor Abercrombie has helped Hawaii turn the corner since taking office in 2010 by creating jobs and reducing unemployment.

Governor Abercrombie appreciated the support and said he looks forward to continue working with UFCW 480 to help build opportunities for the working class.

UFCW Local 480 represents 4,500 workers in Hawaii’s grocery, retail, food processing and meatpacking industries.

October 24, 2013

UFCW Endorses Anesa Kajtazovic in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District

Iowa—The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) today endorsed State Representative Anesa Kajtazovic for the open seat in Iowa’s 1^st Congressional District.

“We are endorsing Representative Kajtazovic because she understands better than anyone the concerns of Iowa’s working families,” UFCW Locals 431 and 1149 said. “She shares the experience of arriving to Iowa as an immigrant with many of our members. She has seen our struggles firsthand and will fight every day to give all Iowans the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”

In 2010, at age 24, Kajtazovic became the youngest woman ever elected to the Iowa legislature. Her fresh perspective and strong working class values have led to progress on issues that are meaningful to UFCW members. Throughout her two terms in the Iowa House, she has been a strong proponent of good jobs, affordable health care, and quality education.

Kajtazovic is well suited to carry on Congressman Bruce Braley’s legacy as a champion of workers’ rights. She quickly learned about the importance of a union contract when her mother was injured on the job and denied the opportunity to see the physician of her choice. She is also the first and only candidate in the race who has visited the UFCW-represented Tyson plant in Waterloo.

“We know she will fight for us because she is one of us,” the locals said.

UFCW Locals 431 and 1149 represent over 2,500 workers in the 1^st Congressional District.

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The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org or join our online community at www.facebook.com/ufcwinternational and http://twitter.com/UFCW.

October 22, 2013

UFCW Endorses Staci Appel in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District

Iowa—The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) today endorsed State Senator Staci Appel in Iowa’s 3^rd Congressional District.

“Senator Appel’s record and her values align perfectly with the needs of the 3^rd Congressional District,” UFCW Locals 1149, 230, 431, and 293 said. “She has worked hard to strengthen voting rights, ensure equal pay for equal work, and make college more affordable.”

During her four years in the state Senate, Appel fought for and passed landmark legislation making quality preschool programs available to every Iowa family. She also backed legislation to implement same day voter registration. She is running against Congressman Tom Latham in a district President Obama carried by four points in 2012.

“Tom Latham has been part of the least productive House of Representatives in history,” the locals concluded. “Not only did he shut down the government, he has attacked the social safety net, tried to destroy unions, and has done nothing to create jobs. Iowa deserves better.”

UFCW Locals 1149, 230, 431, and 293 represent nearly 1,000 workers in the 3^rd Congressional District.

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The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org or join our online community at www.facebook.com/ufcwinternational and http://twitter.com/UFCW.

September 23, 2013

UFCW Locals Across Ohio Endorse FitzGerald for Governor

Ohio—United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 75, 1059, and 17A, along with members of the UFCW Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) Council and International Chemical Workers Union (ICWU) Council, today endorsed Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald for Governor and several other strong candidates for statewide office. These UFCW locals and councils represent over 45,000 workers across Ohio.

“The current leadership in Columbus has failed Ohio’s working families,” the locals said. “Their vision for our state was SB 5–an extreme, unsafe, and unfair law which would have destroyed the freedom of workers to stick together in the workplace. Ohio voters rightly and overwhelmingly repealed SB 5. Now we must remove the politicians who tried to force it upon us.”

“We are extremely confident that Ed FitzGerald is the person to get Ohio back on the right track,” the locals added. “He understands that Ohio workers are sick and tired of their leaders putting profits over people. He wants to make Ohio a leader in attracting employers that pay a living wage and offer good benefits. And he will always protect workers’ fundamental right to form a union.”

In addition to FitzGerald, the UFCW locals endorsed the following candidates:

David Pepper for Attorney General: Pepper has the experience we need in our top law enforcement officer. As Hamilton County Commissioner his efforts have helped prevent crime and improve public safety.

Nina Turner for Secretary of State: Senator Turner is driven by the belief that voting in Ohio should be more expansive, modern and convenient. She will roll back Secretary of State Jon Husted’s troubling tide of measures which restricted the right to vote.

Connie Pillich for Treasurer: Representative Pillich understands that in order for Ohio to compete now and in the future, we must invest in health care and education. As Treasurer, she will make sure our budget is never balanced on the backs of children, seniors, workers, or veterans.

John Patrick Carney for Auditor: Representative Carney is the right choice for Auditor because he will fight for a more open and transparent state government that people can see and trust to spend their hard earned tax dollars effectively.

“All of these candidates share our concerns and care about making life better for workers and their families,” the locals said. “This is the team of leaders that Ohio’s working families deserve to have in Columbus. We are proud to give them all our full support.”

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The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org or join our online community at www.facebook.com/ufcwinternational and http://twitter.com/UFCW