Monthly Archives: November 2016

On Nov. 24, UFCW International President Marc Perrone published an op-ed in The Hill that celebrates the role UFCW members and all union members play during Thanksgiving, and calls on political and business leaders to uphold workers’ rights.

The following are key excerpts from the op-ed:

“After a bitter election season that divided our country, the men and women of the United Food and Commercial Workers union are proud of the role we play during the one holiday that brings America together: Thanksgiving.

“As America’s retail worker union, our members produce and process many of the items you’ll see on your Thanksgiving table, including turkeys, stuffing, bread, desserts, and drinks. They work in grocery stores, preparing dinners for families across the country, and in retail stores, selling holiday sweaters and gifts for everyone on your list. It’s fair to say that our members make the holidays happen, and we are extremely proud of that.

“Through hard work and dedication, our 1.3 million members help millions of Americans celebrate the special moments in their lives. Our members are also able to earn a better life for their families with the help of valuable contracts that honor their hard work and dedication. By being part of a union family and standing together, our members earn better wages, benefits and schedules. Their training and devotion offer real value to employers and the customers they serve. And when they work on holidays, like Thanksgiving, it is not under threat or duress, but with the realization that such sacrifice deserves something extra, like holiday pay.

“Sadly, there are those in the political world and corporate America who may see the right to earn a better life, or to spend time with family even on one of our most sacred holidays, as a threat to their businesses. Truth be told, such thinking is a symptom of what is so fundamentally wrong and unfair in America’s economy.”

In the days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, several UFCW local unions hosted or participated in local food or turkey drives to help ensure everyone in their communities could enjoy a good holiday meal with their families.

RWDSU/UFCW Local 338 donated and delivered 250 turkeys to various community centers across the New York area, thanks to the generosity of the members. The turkeys were then distributed to food pantries at Suffolk Community College, Our Lady of Grace in Howard Beach, Queens, The INN in Hempstead, and Project Hospitality on Staten Island, all of which ensure that families in their communities have a warm holiday meal. A special video about the turkey drive can be viewed here.

UFCW Local 1776 participated in the 102.9 WMGK Turkey Drop. The local delivered a check for $3,500 and 3,500 pounds of turkey donated by Empire Kosher Poultry. Empire Kosher turkeys are processed by UFCW Local 1776 members in Mifflintown, Pa. Watch footage of their drop off here.

RWDSU members in the New York and New Jersey areas were also among those giving back to help the less fortunate in their communities this holiday season. In addition to food bank efforts throughout the union, RWDSU members prepared meals and provided turkeys to help make the holidays a better time for many families.

In New Jersey, RWDSU/UFCW Local 108 partnered with RWDSU supermarkets Extra Supermarket and Food Bazaar to cook meals to feed thousands of families in Newark and other cities in Essex County.  Meals were prepared and served at Clinton Memorial Church in Newark, and the bulk of meals were delivered to area homes, senior buildings, community centers, and public parks. In addition, Local 108, for the 12^th year in a row, partnered with the Newark Firehouse Program for Children, and also helped prepare and serve a home-cooked holiday meal for children in Newark.

Local 338 members helped provide 250 turkeys for needy families throughout New York.

Local 108 members prepare meals for kids at the Newark Firehouse Program for Children.

Big-hearted UFCW Local 342 members also donated food, time and effort to serve Thanksgiving meals to hungry families at Angel Guardian and Mercy Inn. King Kullen grocery in Massapequa and Stop and Shop on Hylan Blvd., Staten Island donated the frozen turkeys.

It is during the holidays that many feel the desire to give back to the community. As a union that represents hard-working families, it is also our responsibility to ensure that our neighbors have a meal to call their own during the holidays. Thank you to all who have given back and made the holidays possible for others.