Union for 1.3 Million Essential Workers in Grocery, Meatpacking, Healthcare, and Pharmacies Praises Tax Credit Helping Hardworking Union Families
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the union for 1.3 million essential workers in grocery, meatpacking, healthcare, and other frontline industries, applauded President Biden’s Child Tax Credits as the new relief payments go out to families across the country this week. As America’s largest union for frontline food workers, UFCW has been a leading voice in the call to provide greater support and financial assistance for working parents and praised the new child tax credits – $3,000 for each child between the ages of 6 and 17, and $3,600 for each child under the age of 6 – as critical financial assistance for millions of working families nationwide.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone: “President Biden’s child tax credit is a game changer for union households and hardworking families across the country. America’s frontline essential workers in grocery stores and meatpacking plants have faced some of the highest COVID risks, and this middle class tax cut will help pay for childcare, school supplies, and all the essentials parents and families need this summer. Now, more than ever, we must not forget the incredible sacrifices that are still being made by middle and working class families, and this child tax credit is another example of the actions we must take to better their lives.”
Michigan Kroger Grocery Worker Jerry Young, a member of UFCW Local Union 876 in Madison Heights: “As a frontline worker who got sick with coronavirus in March 2020 and a father of a son with special needs, the child tax credit means so much to my family and me. My 16-year-old son will most definitely benefit from this tax credit that will help us provide the care my son needs. We will use it to pay for his summer camp, school meals, and tutoring that I know this will be a big help for him out after a year of remote learning.”
Ohio Kroger Grocery Worker Josh Morris, a member of UFCW Local Union 75 in Dayton: “This past year has been tough for my family and me. It has been so stressful working so many hours, not knowing if I might be the one to get sick next. On top of that, spending so much time at work meant spending less quality time with my kids. They have been asking to go on vacation for such a long time since we had to cancel ours last year because of COVID. I am excited to use the child tax credit to take my 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter on a family vacation. It will be so nice to spend much-needed quality time with my family.”
Nevada Albertsons Grocery Worker Roman Avalos, a COVID survivor and member of UFCW Local Union 711 in Las Vegas: “Working on the frontlines of COVID has been tough, but I know how important it’s been for us to make sure Nevada families have access to the groceries they need throughout the pandemic. Without grocery workers like us, people don’t get the food and medicine they need. This past year I’ve been so concerned about getting sick, and despite following all the safety protocols, I got COVID last October. Thankfully I was able to get the care I needed and recovered. This child tax credit is like a breath of fresh air for essential workers like me, and will make it possible to take time off work to take care of and spend time with my two little kids. I am so grateful for this child tax credit which will make a big difference for our family and so many others in our community.”
BACKGROUND:
The American Rescue Plan is providing the largest-ever Child Tax Credit – $3,000 for each child between the ages of 6 and 17, and to $3,600 for each child under the age of 6. This historic increase will provide middle-class families with critical tax relief. Additionally, over 97 percent of families receiving the 2021 Child Tax Credit are working, highlighting the strong investment this is making for working parents across the country.
COVID NUMBERS: UFCW has been a leading national voice for essential workers in grocery stores and meatpacking plants who have been on the frontlines of COVID-19. UFCW highlighted the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on essential workers and families, with new numbers showing that among the union’s members nationwide, there have already been at least:
- 482 frontline worker deaths and at least 96,600 frontline workers infected or exposed
- 197 grocery worker deaths and at least 43,300 grocery workers infected or exposed
- 132 meatpacking worker deaths and 22,400 meatpacking workers infected or exposed
- 67 food processing worker deaths and 13,100 food processing workers infected or exposed
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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 ufcw.org.
