Posts Tagged: UFCW Local 88

UFCW members attend Governor Jay Nixon’s vetoing of right to work legislation.

Dave Cook, President of UFCW Local 655, Steven Straher, President of UFCW Local 88, and Tom Price, President of UFCW Local 2, representing 20,000 workers across Missouri, released the following statement in response to Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of right to work legislation.

“On behalf of the 20,000 members of the UFCW in Missouri, we thank Governor Nixon for vetoing a bill designed to silence the voice of workers. Right to work would lower wages and standards across our state and we will continue to fight it tooth and nail until the veto is sustained in September.

“Right to work sounds good on paper, but in reality it means lower paying jobs, fewer benefits, and more dangerous workplaces. It is being pushed by out of state special interests who believe workers do not deserve a say in the terms of their employment. Plain and simple, it’s a corporate giveaway at the expense of everyday Missouri families.

“We’ve been fighting this legislation for 5 years so you better believe we are ready for another three months. Right to work proponents may not have the votes to override now, but the millionaires and billionaires pushing this bill will spend the summer trying to change that. In the meantime, the UFCW will be working with our Republican and Democratic partners in the Legislature to sustain the veto. UFCW members will be reaching out directly to their friends and neighbors to let them know that Missouri cannot afford a future with right to work.

“Simply put, right to work would be a disaster for the hard-working families of our state and the UFCW will not rest until it is defeated once and for all.”

Members of UFCW Locals 2, 88, and 655 gathered for a Lobby Day at the State Capitol in Jefferson City to tell their legislators that right-to-work is wrong for Missouri.

On March 11, members of UFCW Locals 2, 88, and 655 gathered for a Lobby Day at the State Capitol in Jefferson City to tell their legislators that right-to-work is wrong for Missouri. Members spoke of how right-to-work would lower wages and standards while leaving working families worse off.

A day prior, two members of UFCW Local 655 gave heartfelt testimony before a Senate committee in opposition to the legislation.

“I am taking a day away from my family and job because I believe right-to-work is wrong for Missouri,” said Lori Giannini, a ten year veteran of UFCW Local 655 who works at Schnucks. “I’m not a politician, union leader or public speaker. I am a worker. I am a worker represented by a union of workers and I am very concerned that the right-to-work legislation will do away with that representation. When management can make rules to their advantage–my small lone voice of concern will not be heard.”

“I own my home,” said 12-year UFCW Local 655 member Theresa Hester who works at Shop ‘n Save. “And I am off government assistance. All this while being a member of UFCW Local 655. I know personally what a union can do for hardworking families.  Right-to-work threatens to take that away.”

Jackie Mayer, a member of UFCW Local 88 who works at Shop ‘n Save, said it was important for legislators to meet with regular working people. “They need to hear our voice,” she said. “Right-to-work would hurt all workers in Missouri, union and non-union alike.”

UFCW members have successfully staved off right-to-work in Missouri for the last five years. They said as long as the bill continues to be introduced, they will be at the Capitol lobbying.