The Upsurge

UNLOCKED: Reforming the UFCW

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Originally published on June 15, 2023.

The 1.2-million-member United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) is one of the largest and most powerful private sector unions in the country. Unfortunately, it has embodied some of the worst elements of business unionism over the decades. But a reform movement is burgeoning to change that.

We've covered the role of Teamsters for a Democratic Union in bringing militancy and democracy to the Teamsters union. Now, the independent organization Essential Workers for Democracy is looking to play that role in the UFCW. We spoke with Enrique Romero Jr., the group's organizing director and a rank-and-file grocery worker at Fred Meyer in Bellingham, Washington.

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Hosted by Teddy Ostrow

Edited by Teddy Ostrow & Ruby Walsh

Produced by NYGP & Ruby Walsh, in partnership with In These Times & The Real News

Music by Casey Gallagher

Cover art by Devlin Claro Resetar

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Show Notes

  • Chris Bohner, "UFCW Convention Starts: Assets Up, Membership Down, Reformers in Motion," Labor Notes, April 24, 2023.
  • Jonah Furman, "UFCW Reformers Look to 2023," Labor Notes, November 2, 2022.
  • Hamilton Nolan, "At UFCW, a Reform Movement Rises," In These Times, May 2, 2023.
  • Paula Pecorella, "Why the Kroger-Albertsons Merger is a Looming Disaster," More Perfect Union, February 1, 2023.
  • Essential Workers for Democracy website.
  • Reach out to Enrique at [email protected].
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    The UpsurgeBy Teddy Ostrow