Tuesday, Sept. 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to pay tribute to the Hispanic and U.S. Latino population and their positive contributions to our union, communities and country. It provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Spain. At the UFCW, we take pride in recognizing the vital role our Hispanic and Latino members play in strengthening our union, workplaces and communities. This year’s national theme, “Unidos, Somos Más” – “Together, We Are More,” speaks powerfully to who we are as a labor movement.
As UFCW International President Milton Jones noted in his message to members, this year, the celebration also comes at a difficult and uncertain time for many immigrant families. Changes in immigration policy and enforcement are creating real anxiety in communities across our country, including among longtime UFCW members who are our coworkers, our neighbors, our friends, and members of our union family.
“Unidos, Somos Más reminds us that we are stronger when we stand together,” he added. “When any group of workers is made more vulnerable, it affects all working people. That is why UFCW will continue standing shoulder to shoulder with immigrant workers and families, protecting their rights on the job, connecting members with trusted information and resources, and working to ensure that fear and division do not weaken our collective voice.
“For members and families who are navigating changes in immigration policy and enforcement, UFCW has expanded its immigration resources to provide information, guidance, and connections to trusted support. We encourage members to visit https://www.ufcw.org/members/immigration-resources/ to learn more and access these resources.”
The origins of this celebration date back to President Lyndon Johnson, who first established Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to cover a 30-day period from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law in 1988, and the start date of Sept. 15 was chosen for the celebration because it marks the anniversary of independence for a number of Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and 18.