United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is a prominent North American labor union representing approximately 1.3 million workers in the United States and Canada. Established in June 1979, the UFCW is the result of a merger between the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America (AMC) and the Retail Clerks International Union[1][2].

Structure and Membership

• Members: UFCW members work in diverse industries such as retail, meatpacking, food processing and manufacturing, hospitality, agriculture, cannabis, chemical trades, security, textile, and healthcare[1].
• Affiliations: The UFCW is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), as well as with international organizations like UNI Global Union and International Union of Food Workers (IUF)[1].

History

The UFCW formed following the successful merger in 1979, becoming one of the largest unions in the AFL-CIO at that time[1]. Its founding president was William H. Wynn, who served until 1994[1]. Over the years, UFCW has absorbed several smaller unions, including the Barbers, Beauticians and Allied Industries International Association (1980), United Retail Workers Union (1981), and Insurance Workers' International Union (1983)[1]. In 1993, the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union affiliated with UFCW[2].

Leadership

• Current Leadership: The UFCW is led by President Marc Perrone, who has been in office since 2014. The International Secretary-Treasurer is Milton Jones, appointed in 2023[1].
• Past Presidents: Notable past presidents include Douglas H. Dority (1994–2004) and Joseph T. Hansen (2004–2014)[1].

Political Activities

The UFCW has been actively involved in political campaigns, focusing on supporting workers' rights and labor-friendly policies. In recent election cycles, the union's political action committee has primarily backed Democratic candidates[1].

Notable Campaigns and Strikes

• 2003 Southern California Grocery Strike: A significant strike involving UFCW-represented employees against major grocery chains like Ralphs, Albertsons, and Vons lasted 141 days, drawing national attention[2].
• Organizing Efforts: UFCW has been involved in several attempts to unionize workers at large retailers like Walmart, though these efforts have generally been unsuccessful[2].

Challenges

The UFCW has faced internal challenges, including financial mismanagement and corruption scandals. In the late 1990s, a high-ranking official was imprisoned for embezzlement. More recently, the head of the union's cannabis division was fired and charged with corruption[2]. Despite these challenges, the UFCW remains a powerful voice for workers in North America.