Monthly Archives: January 2024

On Dec. 13, the UFCW, along with our brothers and sisters in the labor movement, met with members of Congress who are part of the New Democratic Coalition (“New Dems”) regarding the importance of a labor-friendly Farm Bill. This moderate and business- friendly democratic coalition has several members of the House Agriculture Committee in their ranks.

With the recent year-long extension of the Farm Bill, it is more important than ever to keep up the drum beat to Congress that the next Farm Bill must be labor-friendly. At the briefing, Rachel Lyons (pictured to the right in the photo), who serves as the legislative director in the UFCW’s Legislative and Political Action Department, reiterated the top Farm Bill priorities for the UFCW. These priorities include reducing line speeds to protect workers; the importance of “Buy American” for meat being purchased by the U.S. government; not restricting SNAP recipients from buying the food they need; and outlining why retailers participating in the SNAP online delivery program must support proper training and provide necessary equipment to delivery drivers.

Many members of the New Dems represent vulnerable seats, often in rural districts across the U.S., and will be pressured heavily by employers to keep things the same old way in the Farm Bill. This event is one of several Farm Bill briefings the UFCW participated in last year.

“I’m so grateful to my brothers and sisters at the United Food and Commercial Workers for briefing the New Democrat Coalition on the importance of fighting for a Farm Bill that protects our workers, strengthens our food system, and supports the folks who keep our families fed,” said Representative Nikki Budzinski (pictured second from the left in the photo). “I look forward to continuing this important work alongside my colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition and the UFCW as Farm Bill negotiations continue.”

Additional information about what the UFCW is fighting for in the Farm Bill is available here.

On Dec. 12, the UFCW issued a statement in support of the recent introduction of legislation establishing the Grocery, Farm and Food Worker Stabilization Grant program. The legislation, which aims to protect food supply workers and prevent disruptions during disasters, was introduced by Representative Nikki Budzinski (Ill.) and Senator Sherrod Brown (Ohio).

“Our members are on the front lines of our food supply chain, packing and processing meat, making sure that shelves are stocked, and helping customers get the food and goods they need to take care of their families,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone in a statement. “Their hard work is essential to the communities they serve, and their dedication means they come in to work through hurricanes, snowstorms and, as we saw, a worldwide pandemic.”

“Until now, there has not been a dedicated fund to safeguard essential workers during natural disasters,” Perrone added. “We applaud Senator Brown and Representative Budzinski for introducing this vital legislation that will provide critical funding for essential work during times of crisis and strengthen America’s food supply chain over the long run.”