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UFCW is working to ensure pharmacists have the support to do their most important job: delivering the right medicines, in the right doses and protecting consumers against potentially deadly drug interactions.
Cannabis
The UFCW is the only union representing cannabis workers in California. We are committed to building a successful industry that offers consumers access to safe products and local communities jobs with better wages and benefits.
Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee 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:
“Years of consolidation and shrinking competition in the grocery industry have tilted the playing field against workers, allowing employers to hold down wages, weaken collective bargaining rights, and make it harder for workers to organize. AB 1776 is a critical step toward restoring balance. By strengthening protections for workers, promoting fair competition, and creating opportunities for small businesses to thrive, this legislation will help lower costs for consumers and drive innovation throughout California’s economy. UFCW is proud to support AB 1776.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2026
Contact: Jenna Thompson, [email protected], 949.246.1620
Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing SB 1032 (Reyes), the Staffing Agency Fair Employment ACT (SAFE Act). SB 1032 creates a clear, common-sense regulatory framework for temporary staffing agencies, similar to the one already in place for contractors and other high-risk industries. The following statement may be attributed to Jacques Loveall, president, UFCW Local 8-Golden State:
“SB 1032 delivers the oversight and accountability California’s temporary staffing industry needs to combat worker misclassification and protect employees from exploitation. California values fairness and responsible business practices, and every temporary staffing agency should be held to the same standards. We’re proud that the Senate Judiciary Committee stood with working people in supporting this bill to strengthen worker protections, promote accountability, and ensure fair competition across the industry.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2026
Contact: Jenna Thompson, [email protected], 949.246.1620
Sacramento, CA – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council today announced that President Mark Ramos will lead the council following the departure of Executive Director Amber Parrish. Ramos currently serves as the council’s President and as President of UFCW Local 1428 in Claremont, California.
“The strength of the UFCW Western States Council comes directly from our members who step up and challenge the systems that hold workers and their families back,” said Ramos. “From preventing grocery store policies that put our members in harm’s way to passing pharmacy board regulations that ensure no pharmacist works alone, the council has fought tirelessly to ensure our members have a voice in Sacramento and beyond. I look forward to continuing the work UFCW Western States Council has done to bring workers together to fight for their livelihoods and opportunity for all Californians.”
Mark Ramos is president of UFCW Local 1428 in Southern California, representing workers in grocery, drug retail, medical offices and other job sites. He has been a proud member of UFCW since 1987, fighting for workers, empowering communities, and advancing progressive causes that impact the everyday lives of hard-working people.
Ramos was a rank and file member of UFCW for 15 years before coming to work at the local office. At Local 1428 he started in the insurance dept and was soon promoted to the position of union organizer. After the 2003-04 grocery strike he was promoted to the position of union representative, and eventually was asked to build a political and community program for UFCW 1428. In 2011 Ramos was elected to be Secretary-Treasurer, and in 2014, Ramos was elected to serve as President of his local union.
As a union president, Ramos has focused on building power for his members through political engagement, and his record of activism has led to his being elected to chair the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, the largest local Democratic Party entity in the United States. Ramos is also an active member of the Pomona Democratic Club as well as many other Democratic organizations.
Mark has been married to Margie Ramos for 38 years, the love of his life. They are the proud parents of two grown children and proud union members.
Amber Parrish’s last day as Executive Director was June 19, 2026.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2026
Contact: Jenna Thompson, [email protected], 949.246.1620