Keep your dollars close to home and close to Union jobs
The holidays are upon us, and with them come family gatherings, celebrations, and the yearly scramble for food and gifts. For your holiday meals, shopping Union is simple: head to your local Union grocery store. UFCW members already know the value of buying where they work: it keeps good jobs right here in our communities.
But what about holiday gifts? The retail industry has changed, and the old Union department stores are mostly gone. Still, your neighborhood Union supermarket can be a resource beyond food. Many stores carry small appliances, electronics, and household items that make practical, thoughtful presents.
Be mindful of what you buy
When shopping, check labels and look for “Made in the U.S.A.” products. Too many companies ship jobs overseas to places where child labor and poverty wages are the norm. Every time you choose American-made, you’re choosing to protect jobs with dignity and fairness.
And remember: saving a dollar at a giant non-union chain often costs us far more in the long run such as lost wages, weaker benefits, and fewer jobs in our own towns. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of economy we want to build.
Solidarity in action
This holiday season, use your spending power to strengthen our communities. Buy Union. Buy American when you can. Be conscious of where your money goes. With just a little effort, we can protect jobs, support our brothers and sisters, and take pride in knowing our holiday shopping reflects our values.
Across our jurisdiction, our union markets and employers represent more than just places to shop. They are part of the fabric of our neighborhoods. Every time you walk through those doors, you’re not just filling a cart, you’re helping to keep good-paying jobs, health care, and pensions alive for working families who live right next to you.
When you buy beef, poultry, eggs (Nulaid), sausages (Bussetto, Swiss America) and wine from Union employers, you support our hard-working food processing workers as well. It makes for real impact.
I want to thank each of you for the choices you make every day to stand with your Union family. The holidays are about giving, and one of the most powerful gifts we can give is solidarity. It means showing up for each other, protecting the jobs we’ve fought hard to win, and making sure our dollars stay Union strong. Together, we’ll carry that strength into the new year.
And as always remember, Solidarity Works!
