On May 13, the UFCW announced the retirement of current International President Marc Perrone and the election of Secretary-Treasurer Milton Jones as the union’s next president.
“As I step down from my role as International President of the UFCW, I am filled with gratitude and pride,” said Perrone in a statement. “I started off as a grocery clerk in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, over 50 years ago and it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve our 1.2 million members as International President.”
“Throughout my tenure, we have faced many challenges that tested our resolve. From overcoming strikes to battling global pandemics, from confronting greedy employers to right-wing politicians, we have been guided by a unifying purpose that comes from wanting to better the lives of our members and their families.”
“I am confident in the future of our union under Milton’s leadership. His decades of experience along with the strength, resilience, and unity of our members and local unions across the U.S. and Canada will continue to drive us forward. I want to thank each and every one of our members for allowing me the privilege to serve. Our collective efforts have laid a strong foundation for the UFCW to continue to empower our members and workers everywhere.”
“I am deeply honored to have been elected as the International President of the UFCW,” said Jones. “This union has been an integral part of my life for over 45 years, starting as a 16-year-old courtesy clerk at Kroger in Florence, Alabama.”
“Throughout my career at UFCW – from serving as a shop steward and volunteer organizer to most recently as Secretary-Treasurer – I have witnessed firsthand the strength and determination of our members many times over. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to advocating for better wages, safer working conditions, and equitable opportunities for all workers.”
“As I step into this new role, I am committed to building upon the legacy of those who came before me and to working collaboratively across our local unions and members. Together, we will continue to champion the rights of workers across the country, ensuring that every member has the support and resources they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.”
UFCW Canada National President Shawn Haggarty was elected as Secretary-Treasurer and UFCW General Counsel Lisa Pedersen was elected Executive Vice President.