Page 6 - UFCW Union Steward Handbook

THE UFCW AND THE ROLE OF THE UNION

The UFCW and the Role of the Union

THE UFCW: Who We Are

Working people across the United States and Canada are proud to
call the United Food and Commercial Workers Union their union.
We come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and live in big cities,
small towns, and suburbs. We work in a wide range of industries.
The UFCW is 1.3 million members standing together to improve the
lives of workers, families, and communities working in:
l Supermarkets and grocery stores;

l Meatpacking and meat processing plants;
l Food processing and general manufacturing;
l Non-food retail stores;

l Warehouse/distribution, and
l Healthcare

In nearly every city or town in North America there is a UFCW local
union. Local unions represent and are run by their members. The
International Union coordinates the work of the locals. To increase our
strength, the UFCW works with other unions in North America and
around the world.

As union members, we have
something in common with
many of our favorite actors,
athletes and musicians, as
well as construction workers,
hotel employees, health
care workers, truck drivers,
warehouse workers, farm
workers, manufacturing
and service workers. We are
all a part of today’s labor
movement.

4 UFCW UNION STEWARD HANDBOOK