UFCW OUTreach, in partnership with the UCLA Labor Center, is studying the workplace experiences of LGBTQ+ workers represented by the UFCW in the U.S. and Canada. UFCW leadership and members are encouraged to participate in the study, which will affect all of our members, by taking two separate surveys.

The study, titled “Measuring the Impact of Union Values on LGBTQ+ Workers,” will examine the impact of union values on LGBTQ+ workers, as well as union organizing and member priorities related to LGBTQ+ issues. The data will be compiled into a final report that will be released next year in the spring and will help direct the work of UFCW OUTreach moving forward.

“Our hope is to document the value of union representation to UFCW LGBTQ+ members; gauge interest and gain traction for our 2020 political program; and help determine the continued direction of the efforts of UFCW OUTreach to best serve our union and all our members,” said UFCW OUTreach Chair Michele Kessler.

From now to December 10, 2019, UFCW leadership and members are encouraged to take part in this study by participating in 10-minute surveys. The surveys are anonymous and UCLA researchers will do the post survey analysis.

You can access the leadership survey here and the membership survey here. You can also enter to win monthly raffle prizes of $50 gift cards (four per month), plus a grand prize of an iPad. The last day to complete the surveys is December 10, and you must be 18-years-old to participate.

For more information, contact Michele Kessler at mkessler@ufcw1776.org or Jean Tong at jean.tong@ufcw770.org.

More than 250 UFCW women and men from across the U.S. and Canada gathered in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 12 to 15 for the 13th Biennial Convention of the UFCW Women’s Network.

The convention theme was “Activism Makes Today’s Vision, Tomorrow’s Reality.”

“We need to plan for the future and activate UFCW women,” said UFCW Women’s Network Chairperson Rhonda Nelson.

At the convention, attendees heard from dynamic union leaders and activists like International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Sara Nelson, Canadian student activist Rayne Fisher-Quann, and Florida State Director for March for Our Lives Serena Rodrigues.

UFCW International Vice President and Directer of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department Robin Williams spoke about the great results the UFCW Women’s Network has achieved with break room conversations to engage voter turnout, bringing awareness to the gender gap pay, and lobbying for women and worker issues. She also talked about the importance of member registration, engagement and voter turnout in 2020.

UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema spoke about the programs and initiatives of the Women and Gender Equity Committee and the importance of achieving gender equity in all facets of society.

Convention workshops and panel discussions focused on a wide range of issues affecting working women, including developing women leaders; bystander intervention training to help prevent harassment in the workplace; organizing tools to help women join unions; and ways to engage working women to run for public office.

The convention ended with attendees passing several resolutions aimed at advancing women’s rights and interests and inspiring more women to get involved in their union.

You can obtain more information about the UFCW Women’s Network here.