On May 6, the UFCW announced its 100th organizing campaign win of 2016. UFCW’s 100 wins in 100 days reflects the frustration and economic pressure felt by hard-working people across this country as more and more of them look to unions for relief. Workers in 26 states have already joined the UFCW this year, and over 50 percent of UFCW locals have had successful organizing drives.
Wealth inequality has become a dominant issue in this year’s presidential primaries. In both parties, large crowds of voters assembled for candidates campaigning on a message of economic populism. Concurrently, UFCW field organizers saw that same enthusiasm cross over into their campaigns, and increased attention to wages and inequality has motivated people to become UFCW members.
“A national conversation about wealth inequality is occurring in packing houses and on the floors of retail stores all over the country,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone. “The UFCW has 100 examples of how these conversations are moving workers to form a union and take action. Workers are realizing that partnering with an established union can help secure the wages and benefits that put them on a path to a better life.”