Monthly Archives: April 2022

The International’s Organizing Department is holding organizing training sessions for members this spring to help grow our union family and strengthen worker power.

The training sessions will take place on April 26 to 28 in Philadelphia; May 10 to 12 in Chicago; and May 17 to 19 in Los Angeles. Each two-day session is open to up to 30 rank and file members from all UFCW industries who are interested in refining their organizing skills and assisting in organizing campaigns in their regions.

Each training session will focus on the fundamentals of organizing, including updates on labor law around organizing, and skills and tactics used during organizing campaigns. The training sessions will also provide members with an overview of research, communications, and online tools that are available to organizers, including how to use research on employers for organizing campaigns, how to create strong organizing literature, and how to use the Hustle app and other digital tools to mobilize workers. In addition, the training sessions will focus on building better and stronger relationships with potential members using reflective engagement, an innovative approach to organizing and servicing that builds on decades of research on human engagement.

“These training sessions are designed to strengthen member engagement in the field of organizing with the end goal of welcoming more workers to our union family,” said International Vice President and Acting Director of Organizing Dave Young. “I encourage all locals to get involved in this effort to expand the role of our members and grow our union.”

Letters have already been sent to locals regarding these training sessions and locals are encouraged to spread the word about these training opportunities to their members. Any questions regarding these training sessions should be directed to Eduardo Pena at epena@ufcw.org.

On March 8, about 10 workers from the Authentic 231 cannabis dispensary in Manistee, Mich., made history by becoming the first cannabis dispensary in the state to unionize by joining UFCW Local 876. These workers, who are employed as budtenders and sales associates at Authentic 231, joined our union family because they wanted a voice in the workplace.

Authentic 231 is owned by Left Coast Holdings, which has multiple cannabis cultivation, processing, and retail dispensaries throughout the state. Left Coast Holdings has signed a Labor Peace Agreement to extend the upcoming bargaining agreement for all locations.

“UFCW 876 looks forward to building a strong relationship with both owners and workers of Authentic 231 in providing job guarantees and protections to this rapidly growing industry,” UFCW Local 876 President Dan Pedersen said. “It is UFCW 876’s goal this effort serves as a model for sustaining unionizing efforts by building stronger communities with stronger jobs.”