Posts Categorized: Member Resources

The UFCW Women’s Network has partnered with Love Over Addiction, an online recovery community for women, to help UFCW members who love someone that suffers from addiction. During this health crisis, alcohol abuse is on the rise and has led to spikes in domestic violence and even suicide. We want to do everything we can to do help one another through this time.

The Love Over Addiction program provides access to videos, audio recordings, private self-help workshops and more so it’s convenient for the person seeking help. Regular access to this program costs $300, and with the Women’s Network sponsorship this benefit is offered to UFCW members for only $20. Text WOMENSNETWORK to (720) 903-1276 for more information.

We remind women in need that they are not alone and are encouraged to take advantage of this new valuable resource. You can learn more about this important program here.

On April 13, the UFCW launched #ShopSmart, a new national campaign that encourages American grocery shoppers to take the following steps to protect themselves and workers in the store: 1) wear a mask inside stores; 2) keep six feet apart; and 3) dispose of any used masks and gloves in trash cans.

The new nationwide public safety effort, which includes a new #ShopSmart ad campaign with digital and TV commercials, is in response to the growing number of food and grocery workers who are becoming exposed to the coronavirus and the direct threat this growing outbreak poses to our nation’s food supply.

“While tens of millions of Americans were told to work from home for their safety, grocery store and food workers have never had that option. More must be done to protect them and our food supply now,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone in a statement.

“The “Shop Smart” campaign will help save lives by making clear that all members of the public can take key safety steps to help protect these workers and each other from the coronavirus,” Perrone added.

To highlight the growing concern of food and grocery workers, the UFCW also hosted a press conference call with five workers from across the country who reiterated the steps customers can take to “Shop Smart.” On the call, the UFCW also released results from a survey of more than 5,000 grocery and food workers (sample of 5,000 UFCW members/1 percent margin of error with 95 percent confidence level).

The key survey results, which are included below, highlight the real fear and concerns of food and grocery workers and the need to take a more dramatic series of actions to protect workers.

• Customer Support for Workers:
  • 29 percent said customers treated them somewhat poorly or very poorly.
• Top Customer Safety Issues:
  • 85 percent said customers are not practicing social distancing.
  • 81 percent said customers are hoarding supplies or groceries.
  • 62 percent said customers are blaming employees for shortages.
  • 43 percent reported instances of customers shouting at employees.
• Safety Priorities for Grocery Stores:
  • When asked what grocery stores should do to improve customer safety and treatment of workers:
    • 72 percent supported a limit on the number of customers in stores.
    • 49 percent supported stores banning unruly customers.
    • 41 percent supported stores hiring more security.
    • 26 percent supported stores hiring more workers to meet demand.
    • 23 percent supported advertisements with customer safety tips.

Additional information about the #ShopSmart campaign can be found here.