WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.3 million workers in grocery stores, meatpacking plants, and other essential industries across North America, responded to the announced deal on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, often referred to as the “Omnibus” federal spending bill.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:
“The 2023 federal spending bill announced today will avert a government shutdown if passed and would fund critically important programs across the government that so many working families across the country rely on. This means that our members and workers around the country can be assured that the federal agencies that protect workers on and off the jobsite can continue doing their important work.
“However, it is disappointing that the final version of this legislation does not include critically important proposed provisions that would support the essential workers that make up our union – like the expanded Child Tax Credit, additional funding for USDA’s Food and Farm Worker Relief Program, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
“This funding bill does notably provide a welcome increase to the National Labor Relations Board budget, which is the first in nearly a decade and will be an important influx of funding to keep the NLRB operational.
“Ultimately, this bill will be important for working families and essential workers by preventing the negative impacts of a full government shutdown – but it also underscores that our work to fight for legislation that prioritizes our members and their families must continue.”
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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States. UFCW International represents 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.