Sacramento, CA – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council today announced it has named the States Building Trades and Construction Council of California as Organization of the Year. 

“With our event being at SoFi Stadium this year, it was no question of who our Organization of the Year would be,” said Mark Ramos, President, UFCW Western States Council and UFCW Local 1428. “The States Building Trades and Construction Council of California has been a true partner to UFCW over the years, from stopping the construction of a Walmart being built at the site where SoFi Stadium now stands, to legislation affecting all working people in California. UFCW Western States Council is proud to honor the Building Trades and looks forward to many more years of working side by side to protect our members.”

UFCW Western States Council also named Tracy Cason, Maria De Gonzalez, Henry Liu, Gerard Maderazo, Angelica Muro, Neil Ricablanca and Christina Thomas, leaders of UFCW Local 770 that work at Kaiser Permanente, as Members of the Year during the award ceremony on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Local 770 Kaiser Permanente member-leaders and the leadership they showed during their historic Unfair Labor Practices strike,” said Kathy Finn, President, UFCW Local 770. “They stood together, stood up for their coworkers, and showed what’s possible when members are united and ready to fight for what’s right. Their leadership didn’t just help make the strike successful. It made our Union stronger.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2026

Contact: Jenna Thompson, [email protected], 949.246.1620

Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council applauded Governor Gavin Newsom for signing AB 1776 (Aguiar-Curry), the COMPETE Act, into law. AB 1776 clarifies and modernizes California’s antitrust laws so markets reward innovation, investment, and fair play—benefiting businesses, workers, and consumers alike. The following statement may be attributed to Mark Ramos, President, UFCW Western States Council and UFCW Local 1428:

“AB 1776 is an important step toward restoring balance to an uneven playing field that workers have had to play on for years. By strengthening worker protections, encouraging fair competition, and creating opportunities for small businesses to succeed, this legislation will help reduce costs for consumers while driving innovation and economic growth across California. UFCW is proud to have sponsored AB 1776 to ensure workers can fight against suppressed wages, weakened collective bargaining, and difficulty in organizing.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2026

Contact: Jenna Thompson, [email protected], 949.246.1620

Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council applauded the California State Senate for passing AB 1776 (Aguiar-Curry), the COMPETE Act. AB 1776 clarifies and modernizes California’s antitrust laws so markets reward innovation, investment, and fair play—benefiting businesses, workers, and consumers alike. The following statement may be attributed to Mark Ramos, President, UFCW Western States Council and UFCW Local 1428: 

“AB 1776 is an important step toward restoring balance to an uneven playing field that workers have had to play on for years. By strengthening worker protections, encouraging fair competition, and creating opportunities for small businesses to succeed, this legislation will help reduce costs for consumers while driving innovation and economic growth across California. UFCW is proud to have sponsored AB 1776 to ensure workers can fight against suppressed wages, weakened collective bargaining, and difficulty in organizing.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 30, 2026

Contact: Jenna Thompson, [email protected], 949.246.1620