How Gr8ful Can We Be?

Let Us Count The Ways

As we venture into a new season of thanksgiving, there is no better time to give credit to our blessings as Union members, as working people, as Americans, and as human beings.

So, taking a cue from a working-class hero named William Shakespeare, let’s take this opportunity to count some of the ways we can recognize the good things happening in our world:

1. Great new contracts for members of UFCW 8-Golden State. In recent months, our Union’s negotiators reached outstanding contract agreements with Foods Co/ Food 4 Less and Nulaid, and we’re optimistic a great contract will be reached with Rite Aid. In addition, we’re pleased to welcome our new members at the new Cost Less market in Riverbank (see page 15).
2. Solidaritus Health Care. Culminating years of advocacy and planning, our UFCW Trust opened its first Solidaritus Health Center in Rocklin. More centers are opening up across California, providing Union members with access to concierge primary health care at little or no out-of-pocket costs (see page 14).
3. UFCW organizes a growing cannabis industry. For more than a decade, the Union has proudly served the emerging cannabis industry through our innovative Cannabis Workers Rising campaign. We now represent tens of thousands of workers across the U.S. at dispensaries, labs, delivery, kitchens, manufacturing, processing, grow facilities and more, helping them secure better wages, protection from unfair discipline, and great benefits with a Union contract. Here at UFCW 8-Golden State, our Cannabis Division represents the fastest growing segment of our membership.
4. More people realize it’s cool to be Union. We’ve reported on polls showing 71 percent of Americans have a positive image of Unions — the highest such figure since 1965. An even higher number, 75 percent, say they would honor a picket line during a labor dispute.
5. New members joining the unions of their trade. As of June of this year, more than 10,000 workers at more than 400 Starbucks stand-alone stores in at least 40 states have voted to Unionize. These workers, mostly under the age of 30, have shown remarkable determination in the face of a relentless anti-Union campaign by Starbucks management.
   In the past year, we’ve also seen successful Union organizing drives at such places as Apple, REI, Barnes & Noble, IKEA and AMC Theatres.
6. Solidarity in the entertainment and automobile industries. The past year witnessed an amazing burst of Union fortitude in the entertainment sector, where actors, writers and behind-the-camera workers stood strong and won great contracts. Workers at General Motors, Ford and Stelantis prevailed through a six-week strike, with help from the president of the United States, who joined them on the picket lines.
7. Union members are happier than non-Union members. The benefits of being a Union member go well beyond better wages, health care and retirement security. A recent study found “Union members are more satisfied with their lives than those who are not members… the substantive effect of Union membership on life satisfaction is large and rivals other common predictors of quality of life.” In other words, Unions boost the overall quality of life for members.
8. More than anything else, we’re grateful for YOU. None of our achievements would be possible if our Union didn’t have the steadfast support of its membership — including you. We don’t go a day without feeling grateful for the opportunity to represent you and fight for a better future for working families across our Golden State.

Thank you for proving, again and again…

Solidarity Works!