America’s Largest Food and Retail Union for 1.3 Million Workers Applauds Biden Framework Strengthening Support for Millions on COVID Frontlines
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the union for over 1.3 million essential workers in grocery, meatpacking, retail, healthcare, and other frontline industries, applauded the new Build Back Better legislative framework announced by President Biden for its historic investment in American workers and families.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following Statement:
“Today’s new Build Back Better framework sends a clear message that this White House is committed to investing in America’s essential workers and their families. Frontline workers in grocery stores and meatpacking plants have faced some of the highest COVID risks throughout the pandemic as they stepped up to keep our food supply chain strong when we needed it most. This plan honors the incredible sacrifices and service of these workers and their families.
“With action to make child care more affordable, expand health coverage, and increase access to education and training for good jobs, this Build Back Better framework is putting money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans and finally making sure that corporations pay their fair share.
“America’s middle class was built by unions and the hardworking men and women who have been keeping our country strong throughout the pandemic. This Build Back Better framework is delivering on President Biden’s promise to invest in American workers and families. As our nation’s largest union for food and retail workers, UFCW is urging Congress to quickly pass this essential bill so that millions of workers and families can get the critical support they need.”
BACKGROUND:
UFCW has been a leading national voice for America’s essential workers during the pandemic and praised today’s Build Back Better framework for making historic investments in working families and strengthening the middle class:
Key Provisions in Build Back Better framework Supporting Essential Workers and Families:
- Expanded Child Tax Credit: Extend for one year the current expanded Child Tax Credit for more than 35 million American households, with monthly payments for households earning up to $150,000 per year. Make refundability of the Child Tax Credit permanent.
- Universal Preschool for all 3- and 4-year Olds: Expand access to free high-quality preschool for more than 6 million children. This is a long-term program, with funding for six years.
- Affordable High Quality Child Care: Limit child care costs for families to no more than 7% of income, for families earning up to 250% of state median income. It enables states to expand access to about 20 million children. Parents must be working, seeking work, in training or taking care of a serious health issue. This is a long-term program, with funding for six years.
- Affordable, High-Quality Care for Hundreds of Thousands of Older Americans and People with Disabilities in Their Homes and Communities: Strengthening an existing program through Medicaid and ending the existing backlog and improving working conditions for home care workers
- Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits: Extend the expanded Affordable Care Act premium tax credits through 2025. Experts predict that more than 3 million people who would otherwise be uninsured will gain health insurance. Also make Affordable Care Act premium tax credits available through 2025 to 4 million uninsured people in uncovered states.
- Housing: $150 billion investment in housing affordability and reducing price pressures, including in rural areas. Funds go towards building more than 1 million new affordable rental and single-family homes, rental and down payment assistance, and public housing.
- Education Beyond High School and Workforce Development: Reduce costs and expand access to education beyond high school by raising the maximum Pell grant, providing support to Historically Black Colleges & Universities (“HBCUs”), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Minority Serving Institutions (“MSIs”), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (“TCUs”), and investing in workforce development, including community college workforce programs, sector-based training, and apprenticeships.
- Earned Income Tax Credit for 17 Million Low-Wage Workers: Extend for one year the current expanded Earned Income Tax Credit for childless workers.
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UFCW is America’s largest food and retail union and represents 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries that serve communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.