Highlighting the voices of UFCW members is key to ensuring our national UFCW Essential Worker Study is a success. Partnering with the UFCW on the study are the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and FORWARD, the national databank for rheumatic diseases, to help our union strengthen workplace protections and ensure our members have access to life-saving vaccinations as this pandemic continues. To date, over 15,000 members have signed up for the study, which just released preliminary findings that are helping our union understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our members, and focus on rates of infection, which types of workplaces have had the most infections, and vaccination rates. The UFCW is looking for more members to sign up for the study so that it reflects the true diversity of our union.
Members that have signed up for the study have received two surveys so far. Key findings from the first survey are as follows:
- 15% of survey participants had or think they had COVID-19.
- 82% of survey participants are vaccinated (higher than national average for adults).
- 28% of survey participants who had COVID-19 report not being fully recovered.
Participating in the Essential Worker Study is easy and involves the following:
• Weekly Text Message: UFCW Members will receive a text message either once a week or every other week inviting them to fill out a short survey or providing key study results and updates. Survey responses will be kept anonymous and members’ privacy will be protected.
• Critical Safety Information: UFCW members will have priority access to COVID-19 informational newsletters and participate in Q&As with the top infectious disease doctors in the country.
• Sharing Your Views: By answering just a few questions, UFCW members will help strengthen workplace protections and protect essential workers for years to come.
Participants also get priority access to key findings, informational newsletters, and the opportunity to have their COVID-19 questions answered by UNMC doctors. You can learn more about the Essential Worker Study here.
We are still looking for locals to work directly with UNMC on promoting the survey to their members. If you are interested in joining a working group where you can work directly with UNMC on promotional materials and events for your members; ask questions about the survey results; and receive up to date information on COVID-19, the Delta variant, and the vaccines, please contact Director of Communications Jess Raimundo at jraimundo@ufcw.org.
