Monthly Archives: January 2017

On Jan. 23, UFCW International President Marc Perrone released a statement after President Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the negotiating process of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

“For decades, our nation’s union families have stood united to protect American jobs. While withdrawing from the TPP is a positive step, it is a small piece of what must be a larger effort to protect Americans who face exploitative, unfair, discriminatory, and unjust workplaces.

“We urge President Trump to recognize that America’s workers, especially union members, are not just incredibly hard-working, they have earned the right to join together for a better life – and that right must be protected.

“Protecting good American jobs must be about more than just stopping unfair trade deals. It must also be about protecting people from irresponsible employers who are indifferent to their workers, and provide jobs with low wages and no benefits.

“Make no mistake, if we are going to make America a better nation, we must strive to protect workers who seek nothing more than the opportunity to provide a better life for their families.”

On Jan. 12, members of UFCW Local 400 joined a bipartisan coalition of elected officials, immigrants and low-wage workers at a rally outside the state capitol in Richmond, Va., in support of raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Participants at the rally also supported a measure to authorize driver’s licenses to immigrants working in Virginia.

Raising the minimum wage is an important issue for members of our union family. “I’ve seen the anguished look on the faces of my coworkers when they can’t pay their bills,” said Rick Howell, a grocery clerk from Roanoke and member of UFCW Local 400. “The fight against corporate greed is the most important. The middle class is disappearing fast.”

“Every job in Virginia should be a good job,” said Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam. “I know first-hand, it is impossible for Virginians to not only support themselves, but much less to support their families on $7.25 an hour. It’s time to give yourselves a pay raise.”

“Poverty knows no race, no color, no gender,” said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. “I’m committed to the principle that everyone has an equal opportunity. That means a $15 minimum wage.”