Actions We are Taking to Protect You

June 1, 2020

Dear Union Family,

As always, thank you for all that you do for your family and ours.

Since the beginning of this crisis, UFCW 227, along with our International union, have been determined to do all we can to protect all our members, and to fight for your incredible hard work and sacrifices to be honored and valued. We have taken a series of actions for all our UFCW 227 members – across food retail, meatpacking, food & beverage processing, pharmacy, and every other industry we represent.

Some of the key actions we have taken that we wanted you to know about include:

  • Hosting three national press calls and generating local news coverage – reaching millions of Americans, including many Kentuckians and Hoosiers - featuring our UFCW members across the country expressing the need for protections, essential pay, and better safety measures for our members.

  • Launched a #ShopSmart customer-facing grocery campaign to educate and mobilize customers in the effort to protect members: ufcw.org/coronavirus/ShopSmart

  • Sent letters to the USDA, OSHA, the White House, state Governors, and members of Congress outlining the specific protections and safety measures that our members need.

Currently, Congress is debating another COVID-19 stimulus package. We've launched a petition calling on Congress to support and protect every single UFCW 227 member who has continued to work during this crisis for their communities - whether you are in a distillery, a dairy, meatpacking, food processing or a grocery store. Please Tell Congress & President Trump: Protect ALL Frontline Workers. I hope you will ask your friends and family to sign our petition.

Looking to the future, many of your companies are declaring that we are "returning to normal" and using it as an excuse to take things away from you and relax policies protecting your health and safety. This is ridiculous and unacceptable. With no vaccine, coronavirus remains a threat to your health and safety as you continue to serve your communities. Please continue to report any health and safety issues at work using our Coronavirus Health and Safety Report Form.

Beginning today, we are launching #StillEssential to put public pressure on irresponsible companies to continue to recognize, support and protect you. If you aren't already, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and help us spread the word that every single UFCW 227 member is #StillEssential. Send us pictures of you and your co-workers and we will lift up your voice on our social media.  

It is our sincere belief that the work you do is always essential. By standing together, we have the ability to negotiate for better protections in the workplace and stronger policies to protect you and your fellow members.

Thank you and stay safe.

In Solidarity,
Bob Blair
UFCW 227
President

Caitlin Blair