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, released a statement on the bi-partisan debt ceiling deal that passed the House this evening.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone said the following:
“It is alarming that Republican lawmakers were able to use debt ceiling negotiations as a way to force backdoor cuts to federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP that millions of Americans depend on to feed and support their families. They are essentially tilting this nation’s debt ceiling so that the weight of it falls on people who can least afford to carry it.
“SNAP is not only vital in helping put food on the table, it creates good, sustainable jobs in farms, food processing plants, distribution centers, and grocery stores in every state and congressional district. Any change to this program, including additional work requirements, is a direct threat to these essential jobs.
“While the Biden administration certainly deserves credit for negotiating a bipartisan deal and avoiding both an economic collapse and the much worse House-passed bill, we are concerned that there are proposals in this deal that will ultimately hurt American people who are struggling the most.”
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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.