Sacramento, CA – UFCW Western States Council released the following statement from Andrea Zinder, president, UFCW Western States Council and UFCW Local 324, in response to the lawsuit filed against Proposition 22 today: 

“The future of work and good-paying jobs are at risk and this lawsuit affirms California’s workers’ bedrock right to join together in a union to provide security for their families to thrive. Since the app companies paid upward of $200 million to buy their own law, they’ve gotten just what they paid for: big corporations have slashed worker pay, furloughed essential workers, and replaced employees with third-party ‘independent’ contractors so the corporations can avoid paying lawful benefits. We urge swift action on the workers’ lawsuit because essential workers can’t wait while app companies exploit them. UFCW workers stand in solidarity with those filing this suit because when workers stand together we can create a stronger  future of work in California.”

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2021

CONTACT: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, [email protected]

Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Western States Council released its 2020 Legislative Scorecard, which evaluates how legislators voted on crucial issues important to UFCW members in the past legislative session. Crucial policies that promote workplace safety, advance workers rights, professionalize the cannabis industry, and protect our communities were among the key issues considered as UFCW evaluated California’s legislative records.

Demonstrating the effectiveness of UFCW members in communicating their values and priorities to legislators, 69 legislators scored 100% on issues important to California’s workers. See each legislator’s score here: ufcwwest.org/scorecard.

Amber Parrish Baur, executive director, UFCW Western States Council, released the following statement:

“It’s important for our elected representatives to know how their decisions affect workers across California. This past year was tough for all Californians, but especially for frontline workers like the members we represent. UFCW members have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis since day one, serving their communities while everyone else was told to stay home. Policies that help California’s working families get ahead, invest in their future and stay safe while weathering the COVID-19 pandemic were at the forefront of policies we advocated for and evaluated legislators on during the 2020 legislative session.

“When legislators review this scorecard, we hope they will take to heart how their decisions affect workers across California and ensure workers receive the critical benefits and protections they need to do their job while remaining healthy and safe. California’s workers need safer worksites and stronger enforcement of health and safety laws. They deserve hazard pay, supplemental paid sick leave, and priority access to vaccines so they can continue to provide essential services without jeopardizing the lives and health of themselves and their families.

“In 2021, UFCW will be working closely with the Administration, legislators, and local leaders to continue to ensure our members, and all of California’s workers, are protected as California weathers this new phase of the pandemic.”

See each legislator’s score here: ufcwwest.org/scorecard.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2021

Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, [email protected]

Sacramento, CA – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council today released the following statement from Andrea Zinder, president, UFCW Western States Council and UFCW Local 324 in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for 2021-2022:

“The 170,000 UFCW members in California applaud Governor Newsom’s 2021-2022 California Budget for All which recognizes that California’s workers are the backbone of our great state’s economy and takes action to support these essential frontline workers.

“By providing critical assistance for low-wage workers, most of whom are women and people of color doing jobs vital to California’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and much-needed funds for workforce development and apprenticeship programs, California will be able to sustain jobs, families and help the state overcome the inequality laid bare this past year.

“This budget provides critical assistance for businesses and job creation while California continues to weather the COVID-19 pandemic and as the state recovers, but we cannot forget the workers who day in and day out go to work determined to keep Californians fed and healthy. We must ensure workers receive the critical benefits and protections they need to do their job while remaining healthy and safe – safer worksites and stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement of health and safety laws, hazard pay, supplemental paid sick leave, and priority access to vaccines. Workers will continue to provide essential services, but the state needs to step up to ensure essential frontline workers are not jeopardizing their lives and health of themselves and their families when they go to work.

“Lastly, we’re pleased that California’s Golden State standard of an open and accountable cannabis industry continues with the reorganization of California’s cannabis industry. This will help the public hold businesses accountable for truthful applications and keep California’s cannabis industry safe and above board for all consumers.

“In 2021, we look forward to working with the Governor and the Administration to ensure California’s budget meets the needs of our members, and all of California’s workers, and leads to a stronger future for California’s working people, their families and California’s communities.”

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 8, 2021

Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, [email protected]