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 revised budget for 2021-2022:

“The 170,000 UFCW members in California applaud the direction Governor Newsom’s revised 2021-2022 California budget takes to ensure California’s working families can recover from the pandemic and build back better. In the last year it’s become more clear than ever that workers are the backbone of our great state’s economy, and this budget begins to recognize the hard work and dedication they have shown over the past year. 

“UFCW members and other frontline essential workers were a lifeline to food and essential services throughout the pandemic, at a staggering cost to these workers and their families. In order for California to ‘roar back’ we must put these workers first. In a year with a $75.7 billion surplus and American Rescue Plan funds from the federal government, we must ensure money is provided for programs that allow essential frontline workers to thrive – much-needed mental health services, reserved childcare slots for essential workers, and increased health and safety training.

“The pandemic recession has largely been borne by women and workers of color. Direct assistance as well as workforce training will help California be able to sustain jobs and families and help the state overcome the inequality laid bare this past year. UFCW members know just how important the High Road Training Partnership model is, and we’re pleased to see dedicated funds to expand the program.

“Lastly, we’re pleased that California’s nation-leading standard for the cannabis industry is maintained through new requirements for provisional licenses and a restructuring of the industry’s licensing and enforcement agencies. The new Department of Cannabis Control will help the public hold businesses accountable for truthful applications and keep California’s cannabis industry safe and above board for all consumers. agency reorganization to ensure the industry remains open and accountable.

“We look forward to continuing 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 ensure working families can have a strong future.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14, 2021

Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, [email protected]

Sacramento, CA – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council today applauded the California State Assembly’s approval of AB 286 (Gonzalez), which would protect small community and family-run restaurants and grocery stores by providing much-needed transparency on fees charged by third-party food delivery companies. The following statement may be attributed to Amber Baur, executive director, UFCW Western States Council:

“The pandemic hit our small community and family-run restaurants and grocery stores extremely hard, and greedy gig companies like GrubHub, DoorDash, Postmates, Instacart, and UberEats have compounded that financial instability with their greed. During the pandemic, family-run restaurants turned to app-based delivery companies for a lifeline, but now that lifeline is causing them to drown. App companies exploit both food sellers and delivery drivers, extracting exorbitant profits at every point of the sale. AB 286 will shine a light on where fees and consumers’ tips are going when they place an order through these platforms and ensure drivers’ tips are protected. For too long, greedy gig companies have relied on the fact that they won’t be held accountable for shady business practices and we applaud the California Assembly for supporting this key bill to reform this industry.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2021

Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, [email protected]

Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council applauded the California State Board of Pharmacy’s election of Seung Oh as President. The Board of Pharmacy is tasked with protecting and promoting the health and safety of Californians by pursuing the highest quality of pharmacist’s care and the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals through education, communication, licensing, legislation, regulation, and enforcement.

“As a practicing pharmacist, I know firsthand what pharmacists need to properly serve and improve health outcomes for the patients we see day in and day out,” said Seung Oh, a pharmacist in San Diego and member of UFCW Local 135. “Throughout my tenure on the Board of Pharmacy, I’ve proudly advocated for safe workspaces, prioritized patient health, and fought for better access to quality healthcare for all Californians. I’m honored to have this opportunity to continue working for California’s pharmacists in this new role, and strengthening the profession of pharmacy and pharmacists’ role in patient care.”

“Seung has been a tireless advocate for his patients and all Californians both in his role as a pharmacist and on the Board of Pharmacy,” said Todd Walters, President of UFCW Local 135. “Seung knows the crucial role pharmacists play in keeping Californians healthy, and the importance of providing individual quality care to keep patients safe. I know as president Seung will bring to the board important insights to the profession to enhance the role of pharmacy in providing access to healthcare.”  

In 2020, Oh was appointed to a registered pharmacist seat on the Board of Pharmacy for one term of four years. His term as president lasts until June 2022.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2021

Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, [email protected]