Essential Voice
an Essential Workers for Democracy newspaper to share with your coworkers!
Issue #6 - Spring 2026
WATCH: Legal Rights of Union Stewards
Did you know that you have special legal rights as a union steward? Learn the basics in this training specifically for UFCW stewards. Click here to register for the Legal Rights of Union Stewards, a free online webinar for UFCW members on Wednesday, July 23 at 4 PM PT/5 PM MT/6 PM CT/7 PM ET.
25,000 Washington Grocery Workers Reach Tentative Agreement
Over 25,000 grocery store workers in Washington state reached a tentative agreement between UFCW Local 3000 and Safeway (Albertsons), Fred Meyer (Kroger), QFC (Kroger), Town & Country Markets, Metropolitan Market and other independent grocery stores. The tentative agreement was announced Sunday, June 15th after months of negotiations.
Safeway Workers Strike in Colorado
Safeway workers at select locations in Colorado walked out on Sunday, June 15, in an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike against the Albertsons-owned employer.
Strike Ready Toolkit: Organizing Tools for Winning the Contract We Deserve
Check out the Strike Ready Toolkit, including information on Strikes and Your Rights on the Picket Line.
Labor Notes: ‘Kroger Workers Vote Down Contract in Indiana by 74 Percent’
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 700 members in Indiana voted down a tentative agreement May 31 covering 8,000 Kroger retail workers, with 74 percent voting no. Rank-and-file members bucked the recommendation for a ‘Yes’ vote by local union leadership and the bargaining committee.
WATCH: Strike Ready! National Webinar & Organizing Training
Watch the recording of our national Strike Ready Webinar, featuring organizing stories from rank and file members in UFCW Locals 7, 700, 770, and 3000.
JBS Meatpackers Win Back Pensions With Coordinated Bargaining
In a contract covering 26,000 JBS workers at 14 facilities nationwide, JBS Meatpacking workers won significant gains. The new contract includes paid sick time, wage increases, and the reinstatement of the pension plan, which was taken away almost 40 years ago.
VOTE NO! Indy Local 700 Kroger Members Face Concessionary TA
Over 8,000 Kroger workers in UFCW Local 700 across Indianapolis and central Indiana are set to vote on a concessionary tentative agreement on Friday, May 30th, and Saturday, May 31st. After months of secretive negotiations, the contract “highlights” were brought to the membership on Tuesday, May 27th.
Rank & File Bargaining Exchange Program Brings Solidarity, New Ideas
Thirteen rank and file grocery bargaining committee members from UFCW Locals 7, 770, and 3000 participated in the first-ever Rank & File Bargaining Exchange Program this month. The Program brought together bargaining committee members from Colo., Calif., and Wash. to exchange ideas by visiting each other’s bargaining tables.