Quaker Workers and UFCW Members Win Big in Powerball - The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union | The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union

This week, 20 UFCW/RWDSU Local 110 members who work as Quaker shipping employees in Cedar Rapids received some overwhelmingly good news- they had all won the lottery! The only winning ticket in the week’s Powerball lottery, the group will split a whopping $242 million prize, the 15th largest in Powerball history; the biggest in Iowa’s. Since the group opted for the lump sum, they will each receive $5.6 million, after taxes.

Workers from the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, react as their winning $241 million Powerball ticket is scanned at the Iowa Lottery headquarters, Wednesday, June 20, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer says one of the workers bought the winning ticket for the group for the June 13 drawing and the winnings will be split 20 ways. Photo: AP / AP

The ‘Shipping 20,’ as they’re calling themselves, proudly donned their union shirts to present their winning ticket.

This spot of good luck for the winning workers is nice to hear in times where many are enduring economic hardship. We hope these winnings ease any hard times for these employees, and provide motivation for other workers to stick together when things get tough, whether its to fight for workers’ rights and families, or to win the jackpot.