Local 135 Members Act for Better Wages, Staffing, Security, and Benefits
By Brent E. Beltrán
Local 135 union members of the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) at Food4Less gathered for a contract rally on Wednesday, June 5, at the Mission Valley Food4Less. With their current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Saturday, June 8,the rally was an important step in highlighting the workers’ fight for a new contract.
Representing over 700 workers across 13 Food4Less locations in San Diego and Imperial counties, UFCW Local 135 members are trying to obtain better wages, staffing, security, and benefits.
Their rally was a clear demonstration of their determination to make their voices heard.
“I’m proud of the workers that turned out for the rally. Their participation shows management that they are united and ready to act,” said UFCW Local 135 President Todd Walters. “The company only responds when workers step up. And today shows they are ready and willing to take that step!”
The rally featured powerful statements from Food4Less workers Yolanda Jacobo and Bea Durruthy, as well as solidarity from Marco Briones on behalf of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council. Todd Walters provided a detailed update on the bargaining situation, and District 3 San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn delivered a passionate statement of support, standing firmly with the workers in their quest for fair wages and benefits.
In addition to the speakers, numerous elected officials, community members, and representatives from other San Diego unions showed their solidarity, including County Board of Education Vice President Gregg Robinson, National City Councilmember Jose Rodriguez, Imperial Beach Councilmember Matthew Leyva, IATSE, AFT, AFGE, the Building Trades, and UPTE. This broad support underscores the community’s readiness to back these workers in case of a work stoppage.
San Diego County Food4Less workers are part of a broader contract campaign by UFCW Locals 8, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442, encompassing thousands of essential grocery workers throughout California. Together, they are #United4Better.
In the event of a work stoppage, the workers call on the community to stand with them. Support the boycott if one is called. Don’t cross the picket line if one is up. Solidarity matters, and your support will make a significant difference in the lives of these essential workers.
Brent E. Beltrán is the Communications Director of UFCW Local 135
If they are striking, don’t buy food cause they need more money……..for food.
Food 4less is Ralphs which is Kroger, and then Albertsons is also Vons and Safeway all represented here by UFCW 135. For you anti corporate guys, it’s a big circle jerk.
I happened to be at Food4Less to do some shopping during this rally. I’d never seen Whitburn in person even though he is the councilmember for my district in Hillcrest. “[D]elivered a passionate statement” is an understatement. The guy is a spellbinding orator. I had no idea! Who Knew? How incongruous to see the treatment he got in this article when usually he’s being excoriated in the Rag and torn to shreds by the commenters.
Wow, dude! Did not know – thanks for the “un-shredding.”
Whitburn looks like a tv dad in the Ward Cleaver vein but when he’s on the mic, he has fire. I probably undersold his statement by just calling it passionate.
good article,
important subject,
food
distribution