San Diego Unions Join Together for March and Rally
(See below for itinerary and speakers)
By Todd Walters
May Day is a global day of action to recognize and uplift working people. Here in San Diego, it’s a moment to reflect on our progress and renew our fight for fairness, respect, and dignity on the job. At UFCW Local 135, our members are standing strong and united— whether they work in grocery stores, healthcare, cannabis, or anywhere else.
They’re ready for the fight. And they’re rising together.
Our grocery members—more than 7,000 strong—are currently in contract negotiations with Vons/Pavilions, Albertsons, Ralphs and Stater Bros. These workers kept our communities fed through the pandemic and beyond. Now, they’re demanding a contract that reflects their hard work and the rising cost of living. Alongside our sister locals across the region, we are part of a powerful 65,000-member strong Southern California grocery bargaining unit. Together, we are demanding real raises, improved staffing, and better benefits. We’re not backing down—Grocery Workers Are Rising.
Unfortunately, we’re also facing major roadblocks at the bargaining table with one of the grocery companies: Stater Bros. Their latest proposal leaves many behind. And that’s unacceptable. If they won’t do right by their workers, we’re prepared to take action—right in front of their stores. Our message is simple: every worker deserves a raise, and we won’t stop until we win the contract our members deserve.
We’re also deep in negotiations with Kaiser Permanente on two critical contracts—one for pharmacy workers and one for lab professionals. And we'll soon begin negotiations on a third: the National Agreement. These dedicated healthcare workers are the backbone of patient care, and they’re demanding to be recognized as such. United under the banner of One Voice, One Future, they’re fighting for a contract that honors their contributions and ensures the highest standards for patients and providers alike.
Beyond grocery and healthcare, our union is growing into new industries. We represent nearly 400 workers in the cannabis industry and are currently bargaining first contracts at two dispensaries—Torrey Holistics and Cannabis 21+ in Mission Valley—where workers organized for strong protections and fair wages. We’re also in contract negotiations at two Better Buzz Coffee locations, where baristas and other coffee professionals are showing what union power can do. These fights are about building a voice for all workers, no matter the industry.
All of this leads us to May Day— today, Thursday, May 1— when union members and allies across San Diego County will come together in solidarity. The day will begin with striking healthcare workers picketing at UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest from 8 to 10 a.m.
Afterward, a march will head to Balboa Park, where a rally will begin around 11:30 a.m. at 6th and Laurel. The rally will feature union voices from across the county speaking out on the issues that matter most—fair contracts, safe workplaces, and the fight against corporate greed and anti-worker agendas. Join us in solidarity.
UFCW Local 135 represents over 11,000 members across San Diego and Imperial Counties, and we know that solidarity is more than a slogan. Whether its grocery
workers sticking together on the shop floor, unions backing each other at the bargaining table, or workers standing shoulder to shoulder in the streets with the
community—solidarity is how we win.
This May Day, and every day, we stand with workers. Because when we fight together, we all rise.
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Todd Walters is President of UFCW Local 135, San Diego's largest private sector union with over 11,000 members in various industries including grocery, retail, healthcare, food processing, and cannabis. UFCW Local 135 is part of the 1.3 million-member strong UFCW International
Itinerary and Speakers
8-10 AM: Picket line at UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center (200 W Arbor Dr) with striking UPTE + AFSCME 3299 Frontline UC Workers
10 AM: Short RALLY including IB Mayor + SDICLC Endorsed SD County Supervisor Candidate Paloma Aguirre, then MARCH through the streets to Balboa Park (Sixth Ave & Laurel St)
~11:30 AM: RALLY at Balboa Park with 11 union speakers (workers + statewide representatives) and City of San Diego Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera
~12:30 PM: Free meal provided by unions for all and socializing
SPEAKERS:
10 AM Short Hillcrest UCSD Medical Center RALLY:
• UPTE + AFSCME 3299 Striking UC Workers
• Paloma Aguirre, Mayor of Imperial Beach + SDICLC Endorsed San Diego County Supervisor Candidate
~11:30 AM Balboa Park RALLY:
Emcee: Judd Laraway, UPTE
• UPTE (UC Workers) – Siu Mei Ma, UCSD Pharmacist
• AFSCME 3299 (UC Workers) – Michael Avant, Statewide President
• SD&IC Labor Council (Local AFL-CIO Union of Unions) + UNITE HERE 30 (Hotel/Hospitality Workers) – Brigette Browning, President
• Sean Elo-Rivera, City of San Diego Councilmember District 9
• UFCW 135 (Union grocery, cannabis, etc. workers.) – Cammy Fulton, Cashier Ralph’s San Marcos
• IATSE 122 (Workers behind your best entertainment experiences.) – Beth Merriman, Old Globe Theatre
• AFGE (Federal Workers) – Aliyah Levin, Department of Labor, Local President
• SEIU-USWW (Janitors) – Maria Enedina de Dios, Janitor in BioTech
• American Postal Workers Union – Bob Waterhouse, President
• NUHW (Nat’l Union of Healthcare Workers) – Dr. Michelle Cuevas, Striking Kaiser Mental Healthcare Worker
• California Nurses Association – Anna Sindelar, UCSD Nurse
• San Diego Education Association (Your San Diego Public School Teachers) – Kyle Weinberg, President
