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UFCW Gears Up for 2020 Election With Political Bootcamp Training

In February, a group of 26 members, as well as local union and International staff, convened for a 2020 Political Bootcamp Training for Member Organizer Leads at UFCW Local 770 outside of Los Angeles.

This year, the UFCW plans to bring at least 400 member organizers (a.k.a SPURS / Lost-Timers) out to engage, motivate and ultimately turnout our members. To help run such a large program, the UFCW will use leads that are both members and local union staff to support member organizer teams. The training focused on skills needed to lead a team of our member organizers, and incorporated a curriculum on team supervision, campaign tactics and the voter file.

“With this training, I learned how to organize and lead a group of people. I also learned how to use technology at our disposal to facilitate our work, problem solve, and help people communicate with each other so no other problems arise,” said UFCW Local 99 member Cesar Escobedo.

“The member organizer lead training was informative and inspiring and everything in between,” said Alex Garcia, secretary-treasurer of UFCW Local 1439. “The 2020 presidential election is so important in so many ways. I am so excited to see the International invest as much as they are into member organizing. Thank you for the opportunity to learn and to lead other union members in this very important election. Together, we can make a change.”

The training incorporated both learning and practice, with participants testing out the curriculum by doing worksite visits and canvassing in the California Congressional District 25 Special Election Primary. The pro-union candidate in the race – Christy Smith – won the primary on March 3rd and will be in a run-off election for the seat on May 12th.

“Congressional District 25 is a key district for our union, with high union membership, and historically anti-union leadership.  It was fantastic to have leaders from across the country join us in the district to turn out our members in favor of a pro-union candidate,” said UFCW Local 770 Deputy Civil Rights and Political Director Rachel Torres. “Our members were trained in all aspects of campaigning and are super excited to join the national fight to win back Congress and the White House to support our values moving forward.”

“The training was amazing!” said UFCW Local 21 member Charles “Chuck” Svac. “The training was very intense, especially for someone like me who has very little to no experience in this scenario. It left me exhausted but energized to get ready for the next chapter and challenge. I’d definitely do it again!”

Another 2020 Political Bootcamp Training for Member Organizer Leads will be held in late spring or early summer, and details will be released soon. If you have questions in general about member organizers for 2020 or training, please reach out to National Political Director Karen Gasper at kgasper@ufcw.org.

UFCW Applauds States, Employers for Offering Emergency Protections and Benefits to Workers on Front Lines of Coronavirus

The UFCW continues to advocate for the rights of our members during the COVID-19 cornonavirus outbreak, including applauding pro-worker policies that are implemented by state leaders and employers during this crisis.

State Leaders Stand With Grocery Workers

On March 19, the UFCW praised leaders in Minnesota, Michigan, and Vermont for recognizing the critical work being done by grocery workers in their states. All have designated grocery workers as first responders during the outbreak, similar to health care workers. As a result, UFCW members working in grocery stores in these states will now have access to free childcare.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a directive as part of an order for “Care for Children of Families of Emergency Workers,” which instructs closed schools to continue to provide care for children of emergency personnel who are “critical to the response of COVID-19.” Under the order, grocery workers are considered “essential tier 2 workers” and would be covered.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order to expand the capacity for childcare services for health care workers, first responders, and other members of the essential workforce during the coronavirus crisis. This expands the essential workforce to include grocery workers who are helping to provide essential supplies and goods during the outbreak.

Vermont is developing a plan to reimburse private childcare centers for providing care to essential workers, including grocery store workers who are now considered essential employees during the outbreak.

“UFCW members in grocery and retail stores across the country are working around the clock to make sure that families have the food and supplies they need,” said UFCW International Marc Perrone in a statement. “We applaud Minnesota, Michigan, and Vermont for recognizing that these workers are on the front lines, providing an essential service to their communities.”

UFCW Members in Grocery Stores Get Pay Increase, Essential Benefits

On March 21, the UFCW applauded Stop & Shop for giving over 70,000 Stop & Shop and Peapod employees across New England, New York and New Jersey, who are represented by our union, a 10 percent increase in pay during the coronavirus outbreak. Workers will also receive two additional weeks of paid leave if they become sick.

The International and UFCW Locals have been negotiating with employers across the country to recognize how hard grocery workers are working to provide necessary food and supplies to their communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result of these efforts, the UFCW and Safeway announced that Safeway would provide a $2.00 per hour increase in pay for its grocery workers across the country during the outbreak.

In California, UFCW Locals applauded Stater Bros. Markets for implementing a $2.00 per hour pay raise to its workers. The raise will apply to all hourly employees over the course of four weeks beginning March 23.

In Missouri, UFCW Local Union 655 secured a deal for grocery workers at Schnucks, Dierbergs, and Straubs to waive all copays for coronavirus testing, maintain pay for those who become sick, and expand access to telemedicine with zero out-of-pocket costs.

You can learn more about what the UFCW is doing to help our members during this global pandemic here.