Posts Tagged: UFCW International

President Obama signs an executive order designed to ensure that the United States only does business with companies that follow labor laws and respect workers’ rights.

UFCW International President Joe Hansen released the following statement in response to President Obama’s executive order designed to ensure that the United States only does business with companies that respect workers’ rights.

“The President’s executive order makes clear that the U.S. will not do business with companies that violate our nation’s labor laws. Employers who cheat workers out of wages, fail to provide safe workplaces, and illegally retaliate against those who try to organize a union should never be considered for a government contract. On the other hand, companies that uphold our laws and treat their workers with dignity and respect should be given preference when it comes to federal procurement.

“Today’s announcement builds on years of work by UFCW members and our partner unions to create a system that is fairer for workers and encourages a race to the top when it comes to labor standards. These efforts included a 2013 resolution passed unanimously by delegates to the UFCW convention calling on the creation of a ‘High Road’ procurement process.

“In the last several years, the meat and poultry industries have received over 1 billion dollars from taxpayers. Many workers in these industries work full-time yet are not paid enough to support themselves or their families. They also must endure dangerous workplace conditions and chronic underreporting of injuries by their employers. This executive order sends a message that companies who engage in this type of anti-worker activity must change the way they do business or lose access to their government contracts.

“I want to thank President Obama, Secretary of Labor Perez, and all those involved in crafting this executive order. Today’s announcement is an important first step in ensuring our government is doing everything in its power to protect America’s workers.”

The UFCW hosted an IUF meeting in Pittsburgh, Penn., bringing together union representatives and members that represent Heinz workers from around the world, including those from UFCW International, UFCW Canada, UFCW locals 17a, 75, and 431, and the RWDSU. The delegation joined together to make plans to work in solidarity on a global effort to protect all union Heinz workers and their jobs as Heinz seeks to reduce costs and increase profits at the expense of workers through wage cuts, layoffs, and plant closures.

Despite earning profits, Heinz has decreased their workforce by almost 25 percent in the past ten years, mostly through plant closures and layoffs. The corporate trend of reducing operational costs at the expense of workers continued when 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway purchased Heinz last year. Heinz recently closed the plant in Leamington, Canada, leaving nearly 800 full-time employees and members of UFCW Local 459 out of work.

The delegation will continue to work together and campaign to protect workers and their jobs at Heinz.