Posts Categorized: Community

Panelist Angela Peoples addresses UFCW staff at the annual Black History Month program

Throughout the month of February in celebration of Black History Month, the UFCW family has been paying tribute to African American activists and leaders of both the past and present who have contributed to the labor movement, as well as to the civil rights and social justice movements.

On Friday, February 19th, the UFCW International continued its celebration of African American history and culture at its annual Black History Month Program. The program shines a light on many notable historical figures, but this year it focused on the work of Fannie Lou Hamer, a voting and civil rights activist who was instrumental in organizing Mississippi’s Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, among many other things.

The program was led by UFCW International Vice President and Director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department Robin Williams, who began the discussion about creating equity among all workers of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds; joining forces with other rights movements; getting out the vote; and repairing our broken criminal justice system. During the program, an impressive panel of speakers also discussed these issues that are most prevalent in the fight for civil rights and social justice today. The panelists included:

• Marc Bayard, Associate Fellow and Director of the Institute for Policy Studies’ Black Worker Initiative;
• William Chiang, Membership Coordinator and Policy Analyst for the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO;
• Ademola Oyefeso, Acting Associate Director in the UFCW Legislative and Political Action Department; and
• Maria F. Robalino, Senior Program Specialist for the Civil Human and Women’s Rights of the AFL-CIO.

Entertainment was also provided by Lee Anderson, who works as a digital strategist at the AFL-CIO and sang a beautiful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

We are also continuing to highlight UFCW members on our blog who are making a difference in our union and speaking up about why Black History Month is important to them. Our latest post profiles Local 1208 Steward Daniel Garescher, who is inspiring his coworkers at Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, North Carolina, to be active union members. He also stresses the importance of providing education about black history and civil rights as we continue to fight for social justice today. Read Daniel’s story here, and stay tuned for more Black History Month posts!

UFCW members spent the past week in Nevada canvassing, phone calling and helping to pull Hillary Clinton to a strong primary victory in the Silver State. Exit polls showed union members supporting Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders by more than 10 points – proving decisively that UFCW’s efforts on the ground made a big difference.

UFCW members on the ground in Las Vegas shared why they think it’s so crucial for our entire union family to be involved and engaged in this election.

Ricardo Gomez, Local 99:

“We need to make a difference in our community. We can’t do that by sitting out, so we’re here trying to get as many people as possible excited and engaged about this election.”

“We need to raise the bar for low wages. People just aren’t making enough to survive. We need to make sure more and more people can find a job that pays a decent, living wage.”

Jonathan Rau, Local 99:

“The best way to make our politics better is to be involved. All day we’ve been talking about issues, and one of the top concerns is better scheduling. People need schedules that provide them with full-time hours. It’s unacceptable and sad to see families working two jobs just to get by because it brings them absolutely no life outside of work.”

“Sometimes we talk to people who feel like their involvement doesn’t matter because they don’t think they can make a difference. That’s wrong. We matter. Our voice matters. When we don’t get involved, that’s when we lose.”

Benita Atkinson, Local 99:

“The most important thing to me is workers’ rights. It’s time for us all to have higher wages. The best way to do that is to support unions. The stakes of this election are extremely high. We’re up against people who want to destroy us. The more people who decide to vote and caucus the better.”

“UFCW members need to understand how powerful they are. We can make or break an election. We can get the candidates who fight for us elected. We just have to vote.”

Oscar Aragon, Local 99:

“What I realized talking to voters and UFCW members in Nevada was that people are craving results. Whether it’s higher wages, better health care or comprehensive immigration reform – everyone is tired of not feeling strong improvement in their communities and lives. The biggest reason Hillary Clinton earned the support of Nevada voters was her history of success – she can deliver the results that we deserve.”

Steve Wood, Local 711:

“There are many important issues. Make America strong and get families back to work into good paying jobs. We need to keep moving forward and progressing as a country.”

Bill Darnell, Local 711:

“I believe that being involved in politics is something that all of us have to do. I know that some people feel like their vote doesn’t count, but they’re wrong. That’s why we’re out here talking to our brothers and sisters. If more of us vote and get involved we can make life better in this entire community and beyond. That’s something to be proud of.”

“To me, health care is the top issue because I have eight kids. If I didn’t have strong union health care it would be off the charts unaffordable. Affordable health care is really the key to getting by, because without it a sudden medical event can wipe you out.”