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Mergers Assure Our Growing Strength

Tiny Union Locals for workers in the Retail Food industry used to pepper the state of California and the rest of North America. That began to change dramatically in 1979 with the merger of the Retail Clerks and Meat Cutters Unions to form the United Food and Commercial Workers. And in 1995, the Distillery, Wine and Allied Workers International Union became a part of the UFCW.

The drive to consolidate forces — increasing the bargaining power of workers — remains a key strategy of the UFCW. “Strength through Unity” has become a strategic fact from coast to coast.

UFCW 8-Golden State, the largest Local Union in Northern California, is the result of 10 mergers over the past 20 years. 

Elsewhere in North America, recent major mergers have created large and powerful Unions in New Jersey, Seattle and Chicago, among other places.

The merger of UFCW 8-Golden State and Locals 45D, 181D and 188D makes sense. In recent years we’ve seen the major employers consolidate their power, becoming multi-billiondollar international corporations.

UFCW 8 President Jacques Loveall, center, stands with members who work in many different industries.

They have tried to use this power to enforce their corporate will, and not necessarily in the best interests of their employees.

Only our growing strength through solidarity and coalition building will enable us to prevail over such overwhelming corporate resources.

Every negotiation in recent years has set a new standard in difficulty. There’s no reason to expect the next one to break the pattern.

I spend a large portion of my time meeting with Union presidents throughout California and the rest of the country. We plan strategies and work together to enlist allies

The Change to Win Coalition is an important asset in our alliance building efforts. This federation of powerful International Unions is dedicated to building the strength we need to achieve our goals for our members and their families.

When the time comes for negotiations, we’ll be prepared with unprecedented size and

strength. The merger of UFCW 8-Golden State, and Locals 45D, 181D and 188D is a crucial element in our work to build that size and strength. Once again, we will prove ...

Solidarity Works!                                         Jacques Loveall                                         President                                                  International Vice President