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Cresco Joliet Workers Vote Union Yes!

Workers at Cresco Labs in Joliet

Joliet, IL  – Today workers at Cresco Labs in Joliet, one of the largest cannabis companies operating in Illinois, voted in an election, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board, to be represented by Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). The overwhelming majority of the employees made history by becoming the first Cannabis workers to win an election in Illinois and will join with the 34,000 other Local 881 members across the state.

“Congratulations to the new Local 881 members at Cresco in Joliet who have set a positive example ‒ for the entire state of Illinois and the cannabis industry at large ‒ of what can happen when workers come together to improve their working conditions,” said Steve Powell Local 881 President and UFCW International Vice President. “It takes strong resolve on the part of workers to stand up and demand a real voice on the job. Our Union is proud of these workers and looks forward to standing with them to negotiate and demand a fair and just contract that will improve their working conditions.”

This election is precedent setting for the entire Illinois Cannabis industry. With only two weeks into the legalization of cannabis in Illinois, the Cresco workers are sending a message that the cannabis industry lives up to the promises it made to the communities when it lobbied for their support. The intent of the Illinois recreational legislation was clear; to have good, well-paying Union jobs in the industry. With a Union contract. cannabis jobs can be family and community supporting careers with good wages, pensions, healthcare coverage, and dignity in the workplace.

The workers were supported throughout the organizing campaign by both Congressmen Foster and Kelly, numerous local legislators and religious, labor, and community organizations. The workers were specifically encouraged by a supportive tweet from Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. As comments of solidarity from supporters around the country flowed in, the workers resolve increased. “Unions give us a way to be represented as a collective, to give everyone a voice. They help us to be heard by the big wigs of corporations. Every employee is treated fairly, and you don’t have to ‘know someone’ to get ahead,” said Jaclyn Taylor, a Cresco employee and Union supporter.

“Our commitment to the Cresco workers in Joliet is unwavering and we are here to fight to ensure that their rights and dignity are respected in the workplace,” said Moises Zavala, Local 881 UFCW’s Director of Organizing. “We want to see the standards and expectations of jobs in the Illinois cannabis industry raised and the working conditions improved for all cannabis workers.”

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

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A Victory for Chicago Workers: Earned Sick Leave Ordinance Passes 48-0

Over 450,000 Chicago Workers will gain access to Earned Sick Leave

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Applauding the unanimous passage of the Earned Sick Leave ordinance, which will extend earned sick leave to over 450,000 workers in Chicago, Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers President, Ron Powell, offered the following statement:

“On behalf of the 8,000 hardworking members of Local 881 UFCW who live and work in every neighborhood of Chicago, I commend the 48 supportive voting members of the Chicago City Council for passing the Earned Sick Leave Ordinance. In 2015, voters in every ward of Chicago overwhelmingly supported extending earned sick leave to working families who are one flu season away from losing their job and economic hardship. We are pleased today that the City Council listened to the working people of Chicago! This is a historic step for our city and a victory for workers and our communities.

It has been our privilege to be a founding member of the Earned Sick Time Chicago Coalition, a partnership of community, public health, faith, women’s advocacy, and labor organizations that worked together to raise awareness of this issue. The Coalition has worked tirelessly with sponsors of the ordinance and members of the Working Families Taskforce to see this through. Our heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude goes to Alderman Foulkes (16th), who is a proud former member of Local 881 UFCW, along with Aldermen Pawar (47th) and Moreno (1st). We have been grateful for your dedication and commitment to working families.”

As one of the leading private sector unions, with members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Chicago, Local 881 UFCW has a strong interest in ensuring that earned sick leave is a right extended to all members of the working public, not just to our members who collectively bargain to be able to take a day off if they need to visit the doctor. Bottom line, offering a minimum of five earned sick days to workers throughout Chicago will help boost the local economy and is the compassionate thing to do.

Today, city leaders took a historic step by voting to pass an ordinance that guarantees all workers the right to earn paid sick time. Chicago joins a number of cities, counties and states across the country debating and enacting similar standards. The decision will most dramatically benefit the city’s private sector workers, 42 percent of whom currently do not have access to a single sick day, according to a poll from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

Ordinance Details:

    • Takes effect July 1, 2017
    • Applies to businesses of all sizes
    • Employees can earn one hour of sick time for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year
    • Can begin using sick time after being with an employer at least 6 months
    • Can use leave for employee’s or family member’s illness or medical appointments; because of domestic or sexual violence; and due to a public health emergency business or school closure

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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, Pinnacle Foods, 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 Applauds Introduction of Earned Sick Leave Ordinance

Over 450,000 Workers in Chicago are depending on City Council Passing Earned Sick

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Applauding the introduction of the Earned Sick Leave ordinance, which will extend earned sick leave to over 450,000 workers in Chicago, Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers President, Ron Powell, offered the following statement:

“On behalf of the 8,000 hardworking members of Local 881 UFCW who live and work in every neighborhood of Chicago, I commend the sponsors of today’s ordinance and the members of the Working Families Taskforce for their hard work and leadership over the past nine months. Deserving special thanks, sponsor Alderman Foulkes (16th), who is a proud former member of Local 881 UFCW, along with Aldermen Pawar (47th) and Moreno (1st), have our sincere gratitude for fighting on behalf of the 450,000 workers in Chicago who currently lack earned sick leave.”

It is our hope that the Chicago City Council extends earned sick leave to Chicago’s workers as soon as possible. In 2015, voters in every ward in Chicago overwhelmingly supported extending earned sick leave to working families who are one flu season away from losing their job and economic hardship. Let’s get this done for working people and have Chicago lead the Midwest by supporting a basic lifeline for the middle class.”

As the Working Families Taskforce report highlighted, 42% of Chicago private sector workers—almost half—do not have access to a single sick day. As one of the leading private sector unions, with members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Chicago, Local 881 UFCW has a strong interest in ensuring that earned sick leave is a right extended to all members of the working public, not just to our members who collectively bargain to be able to take a day off if they need to visit the doctor.

Local 881’s private sector partners in management agree that earned sick leave leads to a better work environment since job retention is improved and employees don’t lose pay, and spending capacity in the economy, when having to care for a sick loved one or themselves. Bottom line, offering a minimum of five earned sick days to workers throughout Chicago will help boost the local economy and is the compassionate thing to do.

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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, Pinnacle Foods, 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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Food4Less Workers Launch Campaign for Higher Wages and Union Rights #4More

Hundreds to rally in support of higher wages and to commit to joining the Fight For 15 National Day of Action on April 15

For Immediate Release

WHO:   Local 881 United Food & Commercial Workers, Food4Less Workers, Fast Food Workers of the Fight for 15 Chicago, Action Now, United Steelworkers, OurWalmart, Tara Stamps-Chicago Aldermanic Candidate for Ward 37.

WHAT:  March, rally, and press conference to launch the Food4Less Union Organizing campaign with the support of the Fight for 15 movement, United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO NextUp Summit, and Aldermanic Candidate, Tara Stamps. 

WHEN:  Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 10:40am

WHERE:  Rally participants will be marching from the McDonald’s at 5133 W. North Ave to the southwest corner of North Avenue and Cicero (near Food4Less store at 4821 W. North Avenue). The press conference will be held at approximately 11:15am.

WHY:  Food4Less is owned by the Kroger Company. But Chicago Food4Less workers don’t have the same benefits or pay as other Kroger workers across the country. Food4Less workers are trying to organize a Union in order to get higher wages and fight for their rights. Food4Less workers are United #4More!  

In a show of solidarity, Fast Food workers and Tara Stamps, Aldermanic Candidate in the 37th Ward will march with us. Fast food workers in the Fight for $15 campaign have sparked a national, low-wage worker movement by courageously standing up to fast food corporations and demanding $15 an hour and the right to form a union. As a rank-and-file activist with her own union, the Chicago Teachers Union, Tara Stamps is a supporter of the fight for fair wages and safe working conditions in the 37th Ward and throughout Chicago. Food4Less and McDonald’s workers will be joined by labor and community groups such as UFCW, United Steelworkers, and Union workers from across the country in conjunction with the AFL-CIO NextUP Summit.

On April 15, the Fight For 15 movement will have the largest mobilization to date to demand a $15 living wage and union rights from fast food corporations like McDonald’s. In Chicago, Fast food workers will be joined by thousands of low-wage workers, community allies, religious leaders, and students.

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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.

For more information on Local 881 UFCW, visit www.local881ufcw.org, or like us on www.facebook.com/Local881UFCW or follow @881ufcw on Twitter.

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Job Summit to Showcase Job Opportunities in Emerging Market of Medical Cannabis

UFCW Local 881 and Monticello Pharmaceuticals team up for Job Growth in Illinois

For Immediate Release

Champaign, IL  – Medical Cannabis is one of the newest industries in Illinois and many are wondering what type of jobs will formulate in our state. For those interested in a job in one of the nation’s newest fields, medical cannabis, you will get a first look at what to expect in this emerging market. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 881 in conjunction with prospective cultivator, Monticello Pharmaceuticals, is hosting the Central IL Medical Cannabis Job Summit to be held on Saturday, December 13 from 9am – 11am at Parkland Community College, Tony Noel Agricultural Technology Applications Center, 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL, in room W115.

With the potential to add many jobs in Illinois, there is an immediate need to start developing and recruiting a strong workforce. “UFCW is a national voice for medical cannabis workers. We are instrumental as a key leader in coalitions and advocacy groups to provide quality jobs in the medical cannabis field. Since this industry is so new, we understand the importance of providing educational sessions, like the Job Summit. We are working diligently across the state to provide clear, comprehensive information so this industry can thrive and good jobs can be created.” says Ron Powell President, Local 881 and UFCW International Vice President.

The Job Summit is the first step toward educating and developing this workforce. Attendees will hear from speakers, including Julie Prom, Director of Operations for Cannabis Advisors Institute. Speakers will provide valuable information on Illinois regulations, job opportunities, and workforce skills necessary for success in this new industry. The summit will also deliver awareness on cannabis cultivation safety and symptom-based benefits for patients.

“Working with the UFCW Local 881 to communicate and develop our local workforce is key. It’s our philosophy to build a strong workforce with the knowledge, skills, and tools to further our mission to be a best-in-class producer of medical cannabis. This Summit is just one part of our collective work with UFCW Local 881 to build good jobs, develop a strong Apprentice Training Program, and standardized curriculum for the State of Illinois.” said Kara Demirjian-Huss, Human Resources and Community Affairs Director for Monticello Pharmaceuticals.

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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, Pinnacle Foods, 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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Immigrant workers from Michoacán have a new ally on their side.

For Immediate Release

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 881 and the Secretary of Migration for the State of Michoacán, Mexico will sign an agreement of collaboration on Saturday, June 28th, 2014 at Casa Michoacán at noon. The objective of this agreement is to strengthen the efforts of the immigrant workers from Michoacán in their struggle to organize for better working conditions. The food and commercial industry in Illinois employ a huge number of immigrant workers that are generally exploited and abused. Some of the common abuses are wage theft, hazardous working conditions, and sexual harassment.

“Finding allies to defend the human rights of our Michoacán nationals abroad is a priority for the government of the state of Michoacán de Ocampo,” stated the professor Luis Carlos Chavez Santacruz the secretary of migrants for the state of Michoacán.

“The agreement we are signing is a step in the right direction to let the millions of immigrant workers from Michoacán know that they have an alternative when faced with abusive working conditions,” said Ron Powell, President of Local 881 UFCW and Vice-President, UFCW International. Local 881 represents more than 34,000 members in the retail industry in Illinois and Northwestern Indiana. The UFCW International represents 1.3 million members.

“We celebrate this agreement of collaboration. It is an example of how unions, community, and political organizations can support transnational families,” said Jose Luis Gutierrez, Director of Casa Michoacán.

Official reports conclude that there are three million immigrants from Michoacán in Illinois, making Illinois one of the States that has the most immigrants from Michoacán. The guests attending the celebration of this agreement are various elected officials from both countries including presidents of hometown associations.

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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.