Ahead of State of the Union, Largest Private Sector Union Calls for Action to Protect and Strengthen American Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of tonight’s State of the Union, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union highlighted the need for action from both parties to confront automation and other threats endangering American jobs and our economy. UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:
“America’s hardworking families listening to tonight’s State of the Union need more than talk, they need real solutions and bipartisan action. All across the country, men and women, from every state, are working harder than ever before. Their healthcare costs keep increasing, wages are stagnant, and they are struggling to build a better life.
“They witness a national dysfunction that ignores the fact that huge corporations like Amazon are pushing automation that threatens millions of American jobs in retail, or reckless deregulation across our meatpacking industry that is jeopardizing our country’s food supply and jobs. And if that was not bad enough, millions of families are worried about a growing pension crisis that is putting at risk the retirement savings they worked their whole lives to earn.
“American workers deserve a more perfect union, and that begins with building an economy that puts their interests first, not the interests of the wealthy elite or powerful corporations. It’s time for the President, and all our country’s leaders, across both parties, to get to work on building the more just America they deserve.”
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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 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 www.ufcw.org