Actions We are Taking to Protect You

UPDATE FROM PRESIDENT BOB BLAIR: ACTIONS WE ARE TAKING TO PROTECT YOU

May 4, 2020

Dear Union Family,

We know these have been incredibly difficult and stressful weeks.

Words alone can never thank you for the incredible hard work and sacrifices you have made. As challenging as this has been, our number one priority has been doing everything we can to keep you and your co-workers safe.

While we wish we could tell you that this public health crisis will be over soon, we want you to know about some of the important actions our union family has taken to prioritize your safety and needs. Among the recent actions:

·     Outlined mandatory guidelines that the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) must take for grocery stores, pharmacies, food processing and meatpacking facilities.

·     Established top priorities for Congress and the White House to act on in order to protect and compensate our members.

·     Prioritized five safety actions the White House Coronavirus Task Force and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must enforce to protect meatpacking and food processing workers.

·     Across all industries, your local union and the International has set clear employer demands for all grocery, meat packing and food processing employers.

·     To ensure clear safety standards across the country, we are working with Governor Beshear and Governor Holcomb to provide UFCW members with access to critical protections and benefits. You can read a letter I sent to Gov. Beshear here.

·     We have also launched a national safety initiative, #ShopSmart to educate shoppers on ways they help save lives by protecting workers in the stores.

We know that many of you still have concerns and questions, and we urge those who witness any unsafe workplaces to immediately contact us using the Coronavirus Health and Safety Report form. Please know that no matter how long this crisis may last, your union will be fighting to protect you in every we can.

Thank you again for all that you do.

In Solidarity,
Bob Blair
UFCW 227
President