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Cannabis Workers Want Respect!

More and more workers are choosing to join the growing IL Cannabis Union!

For Immediate Release

Des Plaines, IL – Cannabis workers continue to fight to improve working conditions in the cannabis industry as companies report billions in sales. Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) has recently filed petitions for Union elections at two dispensaries, including, Windy City Cannabis/Curaleaf in Chicago and Ascend Cannabis Dispensary in Springfield, Illinois. The National Labor Relations Board has announced that the workers at Windy City will participate in a mail-in election, with votes scheduled to be counted in late March.

Workers at these two dispensaries understand that it is up to the employees to improve working conditions in the cannabis industry. The workers realize they cannot afford to wait for corporations to address the rampant issues in the workplace. These two locations may be located in very different parts of the state, but they share a common goal of converting cannabis ‘jobs’ into real sustainable careers with the respect they deserve.

The Windy City Cannabis/Curaleaf and Ascend workers are organizing to gain:

    • Better wages and benefits
    • A safer workplace, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
    • A voice at the table to create clear policies and procedure and the ability to address workplace issues
    • A grievance structure
    • Respect in the workplace

“We spoke up when our hours were cut. We spoke up when our paid holidays were taken away. We spoke up about safety concerns, COVID protections, and clarity when someone in our building tests positive. And we were ignored!” reported Eric, an employee from Ascend Cannabis in Springfield. “Some of us were harassed, censored, and intimidated for speaking up. A Union will give us a voice that will be heard!”

“A Union contract will protect our future as workers, and benefit future employees as the cannabis industry expands throughout Illinois,” said Anne, an employee from Windy City Cannabis on Weed St. in Chicago. “Workers will get to have a say in wages, working conditions, COVID measures, and more. Unionization is the only way to truly hold an employer accountable for its promises and obligations to employees.”

“We are the face of this company. We are the reason for its sustained and continued success,” said Jon, an employee from Ascend Cannabis in Springfield. “Our ability to have a voice will guarantee us a future in this business, which is something we all have worked very hard for.”

“Unionizing isn’t just about the issues of the present, but about our future within the cannabis industry. Large corporations make hundreds of millions in annual revenue, while the essential workers on the front lines are barely walking away with scraps from the table. This is not only about us, but also any individual that wants to create real change in the cannabis industry.” said Austin, an employee from Windy City Cannabis on Weed St in Chicago.

“Our Local Union continues to support cannabis workers because they deserve so much better,” said Steve Powell, Local 881 UFCW President. “We all know how well the cannabis companies are profiting. This is great news for our state, but not if the employees are not benefiting from the unbelievable profits. We call on Windy City Cannabis and Ascend to do the right thing and respect their employees’ wishes to join our Union.”

Cannabis workers across the state are joining with Local 881 to make meaningful change to the cannabis industry in Illinois. At the end of 2020, workers at Cresco Labs in Joliet, one of the largest cannabis companies operating in Illinois, voted overwhelmingly to ratify the first Cannabis Union contract in Illinois. Local 881 was successful in negotiating wage increases, more paid leave, a higher 401k match, lower health insurance rates, an increased employee product discount, a robust grievance procedure, and stronger seniority protection language for the Cresco Joliet workers. The Illinois cannabis industry produced over $1 Billion in record sales last year, and can afford to improve the wages, benefits, and working condition for industry employees. Local 881 is committed to ensuring that the cannabis industry lives up to the promises it made to the communities when it lobbied for their support for legalization. For more information about the fight to improve the cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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For more information about the fight to improve the Cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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Cresco Joliet Cannabis Workers Vote YES for First Union Contract!

For Immediate Release

Joliet, IL – Workers at Cresco Labs in Joliet, one of the largest cannabis companies operating in Illinois, voted overwhelmingly to ratify the first Cannabis Union contract in Illinois on December 31, 2020. Over 180 workers at the Joliet cultivation center are represented by Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the Union for Cannabis Workers.

After many Zoom meetings throughout the pandemic, Cresco Joliet workers remained united in their desire and fight to make their Cannabis industry jobs real careers. After nearly a year of negotiations, the workers rejected Cresco’s first proposal presented in November. Returning to the table, negotiations resumed, and the Union was successful in negotiating wage increases, more paid leave, a higher 401k match, lower health insurance rates, an increased employee product discount, a robust grievance procedure, and stronger seniority protection language.

“I am incredibly proud of the Cresco Joliet Employees for showing unity in the face of adversity. It has been a long journey for this contract.” said Jessica Olson, Bargaining Committee member and Joliet Facility Coordinator. “I am excited that we now have a clear expectations, guaranteed raises, and procedures for our employees. This is the first cannabis contract in the state of Illinois, and I am honored to be a part of history.”

“Negotiating a first contract under normal conditions can be brutal, but the added challenges of a pandemic, makes this ratification even more impressive,” said Steven Powell, President, Local 881 UFCW. “We knew Cresco workers had the courage and determination to make this a reality. We are also aware that cannabis workers around the state have been watching how the Cresco Joliet workers have fought and organized for this Union contract. We know this will encourage other Cannabis workers to join the movement to improve this industry!”

Last January, Cresco Joliet employees made history by becoming the first Cannabis workers to win their Union election in Illinois and voted to join with the 34,000 other Local 881 members across the state. These workers continue to set positive precedents for the entire Illinois cannabis industry. The intent of the Illinois recreational legislation was clear; to have good, well-paying Union jobs in the industry. The Illinois cannabis industry produced over $1 Billion in record sales last year, and can afford to improve the wages, benefits and working condition for industry employees. With a Union contract Cannabis jobs can be family and community supporting careers with good wages, healthcare coverage, and dignity in the workplace. Local 881 is committed to ensuring that the cannabis industry lives up to the promises it made to the communities when it lobbied for their support for legalization.

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For more information about the fight to improve the Cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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Sunnyside Lakeview Dispensary Workers Vote Union Yes!

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Today workers at the Sunnyside dispensary in Chicago won their election, by an overwhelming majority, and will join Illinois’s Cannabis Union, Local 881 UFCW. The dispensary, owned by Cresco Labs, employs 40 people and is located in the Lakeview neighborhood.

The workers faced an unusually long wait to receive the results of their election, originally petitioned for on April 3, 2020. The National Labor Relations Boards originally ordered that the election would be held by mail-in ballot instead of in person voting. However, the pandemic caused the vote count to be postponed multiple times.
“The entire process has tested everyone’s resolve, but we came through in the end,” said Nicholas Stankus, a Sunnyside employee. “This group is proud to be the first cannabis dispensary workers to unionize with Local 881 UFCW and participate in the growth of Illinois’s cannabis industry.”

The workers at Sunnyside, are the first dispensary workers in Illinois to win a Union election. They were motivated to Unionize in order to improve their working conditions. Workers cited issues such as a lack of professionalism from management, unclear workplace policies and procedures, a slow and inadequate response to the challenges of the coronavirus, and a growing culture of disrespect for workers.

“The workers at Sunnyside are a great example of what happens when workers stand together and fight for what they want,” said Local 881 President Steve Powell, “This was a long wait, but better careers are worth fighting for. Our Union is proud of these workers and looks forward to negotiating a contract that will be worth the wait!”

Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the UFCW, which is proud to represent tens of thousands of cannabis workers across multiple states. UFCW members in the legal cannabis industry work in growing and cultivating facilities, manufacturing and processing facilities, and also in laboratories and dispensaries. Local 881 made history in January 2020, when over 100 workers at the Cresco Labs grow facility in Joliet, IL voted to join Local 881. Sunnyside is the national retail brand of Cresco Labs. Cresco operates seven Sunnyside locations throughout Illinois.

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For more information about the fight to improve the Cannabis industry in Illinois, visit: ILCannabisWorkersUnited.org

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Illinois General Assembly Passes Historic Protections for Essential Retail Workers

Springfield, IL – Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) was successful in getting the Illinois General Assembly to pass first of its kind protections for essential retail workers who are attacked on the job during the COVID-19 public health pandemic.

SB471, which passed the Illinois House 95-10 and the Illinois Senate 47-3, now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature and would become effective immediately. Motivated by representing over 34,000 frontline retail workers who are increasingly reporting customer assaults while on the job, Local 881 UFCW amended the Criminal Code to ensure:

    • When the Governor or Mayor of a municipality declares a state of emergency, and for six months after, the battery of a merchant is aggravated battery when the merchant is performing his or her duties, including, but not limited to, relaying directions for healthcare or safety from his or her supervisor or employer or relaying health or safety guidelines, recommendations, regulations, or rules from a federal, State, or local public health agency.

As public health officials including the Center for Disease Control, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Chicago Department of Public Health, have mandated masks to be worn when in public, to abide by social distancing in public spaces like grocery stores, and while many retailers have imposed the same policies and enacted some store limits on in-demand products, it has increasingly fallen to frontline workers to enforce government and company mandates. Unfortunately, that has led to a sharp and alarming increase in assaults on retail workers from customers.  Examples of that in Illinois and nationally have been covered here, here, and here.

Applauding the passage of SB471, Local 881 UFCW President Steven Powell, offered the following statement:

“Passage of SB471 is a victory for retail workers in Illinois. On behalf of the over 34,000 members of Local 881 UFCW, who continue to staff the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic, keeping our communities and families fed and medicated, we thank the Illinois General Assembly for acting quickly to pass the bill we crafted to provide meaningful protections for workers who face the brunt of customer panic and frustrations during disasters.

As we have all witnessed, grocery stores have become chaotic environments for both customers and workers. Unfortunately, some customers have not been acting in a safe and responsible manner and have put our member’s safety and physical wellbeing in jeopardy. Each day, across thousands of shifts, our members encounter hundreds of thousands of shoppers as they continue to staff grocery and retail stores across our state. It is no surprise then that our members are so adamant that customers abide by reasonable health guidelines so that they can protect themselves, their co-workers, their families, and the wider community. They should be able to do so without fear of retaliation and physical harm.

Not only do workers in this vulnerable position face the threat of exposure by being in close proximity to customers ignoring rules of social distancing or refusing to wear masks, they at times, have also faced the wrath of customer’s frustrations, with an alarming increase of reports of physical attack, and in one terrible case in Michigan ending in a loss of life. Without companies stepping up to provide necessary crowd control or security officers to enforce store and government mandates before a customer enters, this new law will help hold individuals accountable for assaulting retail workers who are just trying to do their job and keep everyone safe.

Special thanks and sincere gratitude go to all the supporters of the bill, but especially the sponsors and key advocates including Senators Kimberly Lightford, Elgie Sims, and Ram Villivalam; along with Representatives Jay Hoffman and Marcus Evans. Our members honor their continued dedication to working families.”

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries.  Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s Fresh Market, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments. Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
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Dispensary Workers Seek to Join a Growing Union Movement After Encountering a Culture of Disrespect

For Immediate Release

Des Plaines, IL – In three separate dispensaries across the Chicagoland area, cannabis workers are seeing a disturbing trend of disrespect from their respective cannabis companies. Dispensary workers are seeking to improve their working conditions, both for themselves and for their patients/customers, by filing for Union Representation elections to join Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

The dispensaries which independently are seeking to join the Union, represent anywhere from 15-30 workers at each location, including:

    • MedMen—Evanston workers filed their petition on April 17, 2020.
    • Nature’s Care—Rolling Meadows workers filed their petition on April 20, 2020.
    • Sunnyside (owned by Cresco)—Chicago (Lakeview) workers filed their petition on April 3, 2020.

Despite different locations and companies, the workers are facing very similar issues in their workplaces. Workers cite a lack of professionalism, no clarity in the policies and rules in the workplace, a slow and inadequate response to the challenges of the Coronavirus, and a growing culture of disrespect for workers. The dispensary workers are tired of working in facilities with little protections and direction from their companies. Here are just some of the issues the workers are dealing with:

    • The workers are paid low wages, despite generating huge company profits.
    • The companies have provided inadequate worker protection in the midst of the COVID pandemic. As essential workers, serving the public, they are advocating for hazard pay, extended paid sick leave, and the proper personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.
    • Job classifications are not respected ‒ some employees do more advanced work of leads but are paid as lower level associates.
    • Erratic and constantly changing work schedules, create a chaotic environment for the workers. Sometimes they are given less than a week advance notice of schedule changes.
    • Bait & switch practices during hiring: many of the workers were recruited with the promise of working a full-time position, but instead were only offered part-time.

“We want a Union to create a strong new leadership bringing all dispensary employees professional, safe, and fair working conditions,” said Mary Jo, from Nature’s Care in Rolling Meadows.

“I am organizing with Local 881 UFCW because I want to work in a safe workplace and improve the conditions for myself and my co-workers,” said Luke, an employee at MedMen in Evanston. “Under the current crisis, MedMen has been very slow to protect us, and as essential workers, we are not getting hazard pay.”

“If management did our job, they would understand we are not compensated enough and they would see why we need to join the union!” said Ricky, another MedMen Evanston employee.

“Sunnyside Lakeview Wellness advisors are interested in unionizing in order to hold Cresco accountable to the basic employment agreements and company policies offered to them at the at the time of hire,” said Patrick, a Sunnyside Lakeview employee.

We are committed to lifting the standards for cannabis workers in Illinois. We know that these companies can do better by their employees. We are proud to support the efforts of these workers to organize and Unionize to improve their workplaces. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with these essential workers to win their Union election and we will fight to ensure their rights and dignity are respected.

Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the UFCW, which is proud to represent tens of thousands of cannabis workers across multiple states. UFCW members in the legal cannabis industry work in growing and cultivating facilities, manufacturing and processing facilities, and also in laboratories and dispensaries. Local 881 made history in January 2020, when over 100 workers at the Cresco Labs grow facility in Joliet, IL voted to join the Union.

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Contact: Teresa Ramirez-Gonzalez, Local 881 Director of Organizing
[email protected] | 630-254-3090

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COVID-19 Impacts Raymundo’s Workers and the Company Fails to Act

Raymundo's Workers Sign Petition demanding Covid protections
For Immediate Release

Des Plaines, IL – Today, Friday April 3, workers from Raymundo’s Food Group, in Bedford Park, IL, refused to work after learning that a coworker had tested positive for COVID-19. Workers also reported that the Company has a history of forcing workers to remain on the job while sick.  With additional coworkers also exhibiting Coronavirus symptoms, Raymundo’s workers no longer feel safe and are compelled to inform the public about this dangerous situation. The workers report that the Company knew the worker was infected, but did nothing. Despite publicly available guidelines, CDC recommendations, and health officials’ insistence on the importance of social distancing, the Company has yet to implement meaningful social distancing policies and protect its workers.

In November 2019, the Raymundo’s workers held an election and voted to Unionize. In response, the Company appealed the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision to certify Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and has unlawfully refused to bargain.

As the certified representative of the workers at Raymundo’s, Local 881 UFCW demands that Raymundo’s immediately shut down and hire a professional cleaning organization to fully sanitize its facility. In addition, the Company should provide the workers with paid sick leave and extended family medical leave benefits. The Company’s failure to implement the most basic safety precautions and lack of communication with its employees is unacceptable.

“We learned that a coworker was infected with COVID-19. The Company told us later and in a very disrespectful way.  When we asked to disinfect the facility, management insulted us. All of this is unfair, we want to work in a safe environment.” said Juan, a Raymundo’s worker.

“What we want is for Raymundo’s to disinfect the facility and be transparent as to what steps it has taken to protect us. Is it a lot to ask for a safe work place?” said Itzel, a Raymundo’s worker.

“We want Raymundo’s to communicate in a professional way with its employees.  As soon as the Company learned about the infection it should have notified us. I am pregnant, and they don’t give a damn if they put my health and my baby’s health at risk!” said Susana, a Raymundo’s worker.

The Raymundo’s employees are deemed essential workers during the Coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, on Thursday, Local 881 UFCW demanded Raymundo’s give workers hazard pay of an extra $2 per hour and provide a safe environment for its workers during this pandemic and into the future. The Company has failed to act.

“It is a disgrace and shameful to keep workers in the dark when it comes to their health and safety. We demand Raymundo’s shut down their facility and take responsible action by sanitizing the entire facility and provide paid sick leave for workers that cannot work due to COVID-19.” said Local 881 President Steve Powell. “We stand with Raymundo’s essential workers in their fight to work with respect, dignity, and above all safety!”

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, cannabis workers in Illinois, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries. Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, Conagra Brands, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments. Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
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Ban the Bags! Illinois’ Largest Retail Union Calls for more Protections for Grocery, Retail, and Pharmacy Front Line Workers

For Immediate Release

Des Plaines, IL –34,000 retail, pharmacy, and grocery members of Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers have been deemed “essential workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic and are selflessly continuing to provide vital services in Illinois keeping millions fed and medicated while offering the last vestiges of normalcy in our communities.

Local 881 UFCW members are risking their own health, and that of their families, to ensure stores remain stocked, operational, and sanitized, and will remain on the leading edge of the state’s response to this health crisis. While many employers are implementing additional health and safety strategies to protect our members and their families, per the union’s demands, like installing plexiglass shields in check-out lanes, allowing for more time to sanitize work stations and the overall stores, and providing hazard pay, more can be done.

To that end, Local 881 UFCW President and International Vice President, Steve Powell, today released the following statement and list of requests to local, state, and federal leadership in Illinois:

“Tens of thousands of Local 881 UFCW members continue to show up every day and serve their communities across Illinois despite the risk to their own health and that of their families. These brave union members deserve nothing less than the respect and protection of their elected leaders. Words and appreciation are not enough during this crisis. You cannot call them essential without providing the protections and benefits that title deserves. That is why we are demanding that our elected leaders immediate enact the following safety measures.”

    • Local 881 workers must be designated as first responders for the remainder of the COVID-19 crisis. Governors in Minnesota, Michigan, and Vermont have taken this position, which will make retail workers eligible for free childcare, provide coverage for all coronavirus treatments, tests, and medicines if diagnosed or quarantined, and ensure that they have adequate access to PPE. These minimum benefits come at a pivotal time as our members are working to sustain the food supply when demand is high, and schools are closed. Like the rest of us, grocery store, pharmacy, and food processing workers have children who are no longer attending school and are themselves at risk of getting sick. Everything must be done to ensure they can work and come home safely to their families
     
    • Limitations on the number of customers in grocery stores and pharmacies must be put in place. Directives from the Governor and Mayor have severely limited the size of crowds allowed in public and private places, and our essential retail outlets should be treated similarly.
     
    • Suspend Chicago’s single use “bag tax” for the remainder of the COVID-19 crisis so that workers and customers are not being infected by reusable bags that are transmitting the virus from home to grocery stores. We have recently seen other industry leaders take decisive action to protect their workers and customers by suspending shoppers from bringing in reusable items like cups and bags because of concerns over transmission of the virus. Local 881 clerks and baggers are directly in harm’s way by having to handle hundreds of reusable shopping bags in an average shift. Other states have already implemented a temporary ban on reusable shopping bags and many of our employers are beginning this commonsense practice.

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, cannabis workers in Illinois, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries. Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, Conagra Brands, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments. Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
 
 
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Local 881 UFCW Mourns the Passing of Ronald E. Powell, President Emeritus

Ron Powell on the picket line in 1984.

Des Plaines, IL – Ronald E. Powell, former President of Local 881 and International Vice President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, passed away this morning of natural causes.  

Ron retired on December 1, 2018, after 57 and a half years of faithful and dedicated service to the working families in the retail grocery industry and the American Labor Movement.

Ron was born on April 5, 1935, in rural Wisconsin, where he was raised on a farm. Ron served his country in the United States Army, and following his service studied at Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1960.

In 1960, he commenced employment at the Jewel Tea Company in DeKalb, Illinois, where he successfully led the first and only recognition strike against the company; after which he joined the staff of Local 881 (formerly the United Retail Workers Union, Independent).

Following the recognition strike, Ron began his union career as a Field Representative in 1961, and was promoted to Director of Field Operations, Vice President of the Executive Board, Secretary-Treasurer, and then in 1983, was elected to the office of President. At his retirement he became the longest-serving Constitutional Officer of Local 881 UFCW. As President, Ron built Local 881 into the largest local union in the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Ron was also elected Vice President on the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board on December 4, 1986, and remained a leading voice in its governance under six Illinois AFL-CIO Presidents.

Throughout his life and career Ron vigilantly fought to strengthen the rights of union members throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana in the workplace and in the halls of government. Ron mentored and helped countless workers find their voice on the job and steered Local 881 through periods of challenges and growth while providing guidance to the broader Labor Movement as the most senior UFCW International Vice President.

In addition to his work in labor, Ron committed himself to many educational, philanthropic, and community endeavors, including: the Better Boys Foundation, Little City Foundation, United Way, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, and the UFCW Local 881 Charitable Foundation. He served the Village of Mundelein as a Trustee for many years, the Illinois State Board of Investments, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board, Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board, and was elected as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1996, 2000, and 2008.

Ron’s unwavering commitment to his career only matched his dedication to his family. His beloved wife, Lois, preceded him in death on November 15, 2018. Ron is survived by children Kelly (Mark) Morrissey, Brad (Joanne) Powell, Steven Powell, and Kerry Fisher, grandchildren: Nicholas (fiancé Patricia Kutrumanes), Mark (Amanda), Michelle, Matthew, Ronald, Camille, Michael, Tyler (Koni), Trevor (Jasmine), Sean and Rachel, great-grandchildren: Braylon, Jaylen, Rylee and Jax, and Ron and Lois’ dear friend Penney Wyman. He was preceded in death by his grandson Ryan Fisher.

Due to current circumstances, a private family graveside service will be held and a celebration of Ron’s life will be held at a later date.

Memorials in Ron’s memory may be made to the Local 881 UFCW Charitable Foundation, 1350 E. Touhy Ave, Suite 300 E, Des Plaines, IL 60018.

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, cannabis workers in Illinois, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries. Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, Conagra Brands, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments. Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
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Illinois’ Largest Retail Union Calls for Grocery, Retail, and Pharmacy Workers to Be Designated as First Responders

For Immediate Release

Des Plaines, IL – As Illinois and the nation enters the first week of unprecedented shutdowns of government and private business, the hardworking members of Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers remain on the front lines of the societal and economic crisis that COVID-19 presents. 

Staffing hundreds of grocery stores and pharmacies across Illinois and Northwest Indiana, Local 881 UFCW members are providing a vital link to millions of families who need to access food, prescriptions, and household products that allow them to stay home safely and help flatten the curve. Local 881 UFCW members are putting in thousands of hours at risk to their own health, to ensure stores remain stocked and sanitized, and will remain on the leading edge of the state’s response to this health crisis. 

Local 881 UFCW staff and leadership have been in constant communication with our employer partners, government officials at all levels, and our membership to advocate for member’s safety and rights during this time. We are particularly thankful to have strong and responsive leaders like Governor Pritzker, Mayor Lightfoot, and the members of our Congressional delegation who are approaching this crisis with the needs of working families first and foremost. 

To that end, Local 881 UFCW President and International Vice President, Steve Powell, today released the following list of requests to local, state, and federal leadership in Illinois:

    • Grocery, retail, and pharmacy Union members are staffing the front lines of this public health crisis. As we have witnessed the demand for food and supplies reach unprecedented levels, our hardworking men and women are working tirelessly to meet the needs of the Illinois citizens. I ask that Local 881 workers be designated as first responders and be recognized as the essential workers they are in the midst of this crisis. 
    • In the event of local travel restrictions or curfews, I request that Local 881 members be given permission and protection in order to safely commute to and from their work locations in order to perform their essential jobs by showing proof of employment or their Union membership card. 
    • In light of the recent guidelines limiting gathering and event sizes, I ask you to provide a more comprehensive plan that protects our workers and community within stores by providing crowd control measures or specific limits to the number of people allowed in stores at any given time. We continue to call on our employers to provide protective measures and supplies to all members who are working in the stores, particularly those in the check-outs, who are coming into contact with hundreds of customers in an average shift. 
    • We are calling on the Illinois Congressional delegation to do the right thing by amending the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to recognize our country’s grocery, retail, and food processing workers as first responders. We ask that they use the federal relief legislation to guarantee that all of these workers receive at least two weeks of paid leave. This will ensure that our members can continue to serve their communities without having to choose between their health and their paycheck.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, we again want to say how proud we are of our thousands of workers who are showing up and serving their communities in extremely stressful times. We also call on all customers and residents of Illinois and NW Indiana to please, treat our members with the respect they deserve during this crisis, and to practice the safest health guidelines that public health officials recommend when in our stores.  

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, cannabis workers in Illinois, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries. Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, Conagra Brands, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments. Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
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Local 881 UFCW Endorses Joe Biden for President

Des Plaines, IL – Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) formally announced its endorsement today of Joe Biden for President of the United States.

In announcing the support of the 34,000-member Union, Steven M. Powell, President of Local 881 and UFCW International Vice President, stated:

“Another four years of the Trump Administration would be a disaster for working people. It is critical that our next President be a friend to workers and an advocate for Unions. We believe Joe Biden is the best candidate to help our members and lead our nation. Joe Biden has been an advocate for our Local Union, has a great track record of putting working families first, and is committed to strengthening the rights of Union workers. He has developed a specific plan to help increase unionization, prevent employers from hindering the organizing efforts of workers, and protect collective bargaining rights. We strongly believe that Joe Biden is the best candidate to defeat Trump and will provide leadership that puts workers first. We are proud to give him our endorsement.”

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Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, cannabis workers in Illinois, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries. Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, Mariano’s, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Schnucks, Conagra Brands, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments. Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.