Updated 5/3/2023
The UFCW 2023 Convention Scorecard
Beyond giving workers the tools to see things for themselves—and then ideally to use for organizing—we also want unions to work for everyone. More than 1 million retail and health care workers represented by UFCW need major improvements in their negotiating power and representation. But the majority of delegates at UFCW’s International Convention voted AGAINST pro-democracy, pro-member amendments to their Union’s constitution.
We’ve compiled the votes of every UFCW Local Union from the 2023 Convention. But we also want to get it right. We’ve contacted Local Union officials at Locals where we were uncertain how they voted but do you see some needed corrections? Let us know at contact@EW4D.org.
Essential workers need and want a union that works for everyone. More than 1 million retail and health care workers, represented by UFCW, need major improvements in their negotiating power and representation. But the majority of delegates at UFCW's International Convention voted AGAINST pro-democracy, pro-member amendments to their Union's constitution.
What happened at the UFCW Convention?
At the podium, members demanded that they regain control of their union. They observed those speaking against our revitalization amendments were paid staff and officers while those in favor were members. For that, they got booed and heckled.
Who Has The Power: Members or Paid Staff & Officers?
Our estimate is that Convention Delegates were majority Paid Staff & Officers. We don’t know for sure because the International Union (IU) won’t tell us even though they have a Credentials Committee. Last we heard, when the press asked the IU, they wouldn’t answer. Our estimate: 3 Paid Staff/Officers for every 2 Rank & File Members. So it's no wonder they tried to block these pro-worker reforms.
Transparency & Accountability
We believe that every UFCW member deserves to know how their Local Union Delegation voted. Most votes were voice votes only, in part because some don’t want transparency or accountability. Votes in your local City Council, School Board, State Legislature and our U.S. Congress are all recorded and reported. Why shouldn’t our union votes be recorded and reported just the same?