Monthly Archives: February 2026

On Jan. 27, the UFCW responded to the Trump administration’s decision to repeal President Biden’s nursing home staffing rule and a report by the New York Times that revealed political donations made by the nursing home industry.

“The nursing home staffing rule was a win-win for workers and patients alike,” said UFCW International President Milton Jones in a statement. “Patients’ needs can be addressed sooner and workers can have consistent schedules that allow them to take home more money for their families. This rule could have saved 13,000 lives every year with more workers on the job to care for patients and residents, but instead, the Trump administration revoked it.”

“Our members know that understaffing in this industry is not due to a lack of workers, but rather the industry’s insistence in putting profit over patient care. Quite simply, nursing home executives saw this rule as a threat to their pockets, no matter how many lives it would save. Now, it seems the well-being of patients and workers can be compromised for a few million dollars in political donations and private meetings with the Trump administration. Workers and patients should inform nursing home rules, not special interests.”

February marks Black History Month a —time to honor the history, resilience, and lasting contributions of African Americans to our nation. In 2026, we commemorate a historic milestone: the 100th observance of Black History Month, a century-long tradition of recognizing Black achievement, struggle, and progress.

Black History Month began in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson, along with other prominent African Americans, established Negro History Week during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. What started as a week of reflection grew over time, and in 1976—during the nation’s bicentennial—President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month. Since then, every U.S. president has observed February as a time to celebrate Black history and its enduring impact on American life.

For the labor movement—and for the UFCW—this history is deeply personal. African American workers, organizers, and leaders have been at the forefront of the fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, dignity on the job, and the fundamental right to organize. Despite systemic racism and significant barriers, Black labor leaders helped build the foundation of today’s labor protections and expanded opportunities for generations of working families.

Throughout Black History Month, the UFCW will honor those trailblazers while also uplifting the voices of today’s Black union leaders who continue to advance social and economic justice.

As we mark this centennial observance, we reflect on how far we’ve come, recommit to the values of solidarity and equity, and renew our collective efforts to shape a more just future for all workers.

The International’s Black History Month program will take place on Thursday, February 5, and will revolve around the theme “A Century of Black History: Remembering, Reflecting, Renewing.”

We encourage members and staff to visit our website and follow our social media channels throughout February for updates on additional events, programming, and ways to engage as we commemorate 100 years of Black History Month and the enduring role of Black workers in the labor movement.