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Political action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Leader to Serve Community as Poll Worker on Election Day

Sep 16, 2020

Vern Sowers

UFCW Local 700 Executive Board Member Vern Sowers is serving as a poll worker for the first time this November. A 17-year union leader and member, Vern decided to spend his time working the polls because, “This is a very important election. It’s our civic responsibility to make sure there are as many polling locations open as possible.” Vern will receive training from his local Board of Elections and encourages other union members to consider serving on Election Day.

We must keep in mind who is going to do the best for workers once they are elected. The people we elect have a huge impact on our daily lives, including what we can achieve at the bargaining table. Vern says if the officials we elect undermine our collective power and the rights of hardworking people, that we could lose many of the important things we’ve long fought for.

As Vern says, the biggest most important thing to remember is that, “If you care about the future of this country, you need to get out and vote.”

Political action, UFCW700 Updates

Joe Biden Stands with UFCW Members Across the Country

Aug 20, 2020
Joe Biden will continue stand up with and for hardworking people – including members of UFCW who have been working tirelessly to feed our nation throughout a global pandemic. In a recent letter to UFCW members, Biden says:
“While industries and entire sectors of our economy have gone remote, we’re reminded daily of the essential nature of the jobs done by UFCW workers. Even in good times, UFCW workers are critical to keeping our families well-fed and well-supplied. And amid a global pandemic that has taken the lives of so many, your duty remains the same while the conditions worsen, and the danger grows. We owe it to you to ensure that you receive the benefits and protections you need, now and after this crisis ends.”

Political action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW700 Endorses Myers-Lawson for Governor and Lt. Gov

Jul 21, 2020

Indiana families need leaders with the expertise to lead us through a public health crisis and the courage to stand up for
workers. Dr. Woody Myers and Linda Lawson are the team we need to build a better future for middle class families in our state.

UFCW Local 700 is proud to join working families from across the state in endorsing Dr. Woody Myers and Ms. Linda Lawson for Governor and Lt. Governor of Indiana.

See our letter here.

Political action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Endorses Christina Hale for Congress

Nov 01, 2019

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 700 announced their endorsement for Christina Hale in her race for United States Congress in Indiana’s 5th District.

UFCW Local 700 represents nearly 14,000 workers in supermarkets and food packing, processing, and manufacturing plants and is part of the 1.3 million-member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

“UFCW Local 700 is proud to endorse Christina Hale,” said UFCW Local 700 President Chorpenning. “Christina Hale will stand up for our members in Congress just like she did in the Statehouse – for good jobs, affordable health care, and stronger communities. She has a long record of fighting for working men and women in Indiana. In the Statehouse she was able to bridge political divides to pass important legislation supporting working families – that’s why we’re standing with her.”

Political action, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700 Endorses Bloomington Mayor Hamilton for Re-Election

Jan 17, 2019

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 700 announced the endorsement for Mayor John Hamilton’s re-election today.

UFCW Local 700 represents nearly 14,000 workers in supermarkets and food packing, processing, and manufacturing plants and is part of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

“UFCW Local 700 is proud to call Mayor John Hamilton a colleague and friend,” said President Chorpenning. “Our members work here in this community; we feel heard and valued by Mayor Hamilton and his support for local business. Mayor Hamilton stands with us in trying to create more opportunity for our members. We stand Mayor Hamilton and look forward to his continued leadership in Bloomington.”

“I am honored to have the support of the hardworking women and men of UFCW Local 700,” Hamilton said. “Bloomington is a strong community, and our unions have been and are a pillar of our success. I was proud to support the UFCW organizing efforts at Bloomingfoods and the unionization of the co-op makes me even more glad to be a member and frequent customer.  I look forward to continue working with the UFCW to promote strategic growth for Bloomington’s workforce.”

Mayor John Hamilton is the 26th mayor of Bloomington. During his time in office, Mayor Hamilton has dedicated himself to increasing the number of good jobs in Bloomington, promoting sustainability, increasing affordable housing, supporting public education, and making a high quality of life available to all our residents. Under Mayor Hamilton, Bloomington proudly became the first Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Friendly City, bringing in new investment for minority-owned businesses, community facilities, and affordable housing.

Mayor Hamilton is committed to ensuring that Bloomington’s future is bright. Throughout his first term, Mayor Hamilton made Bloomington’s children a priority by making $200,000 first-time investments in Pre-K, introducing Youth Participatory Budgeting, and standing up against “lunch shaming.”

Mayor Hamilton announced his candidacy for re-election in December of 2018.

Community Action, Political action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 endorses Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett for re-election

Jan 05, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 700 announced their endorsement for Mayor Joe Hogsett’s re-election today. Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning named Hogsett’s unwavering support for working men and women in the endorsement.

“The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 700 has long been proud to call Mayor Joe Hogsett a true friend,” said President Chorpenning. “UFCW has always been able to count on Mayor Hogsett’s unwavering support of our members, which include everything from food processing to retail workers. We stand behind Mayor Hogsett and we look forward to another four years of strong leadership in our city.”

The UFCW Local 700 represents over 13,500 supermarkets and food packing, processing, and manufacturing plants and is part of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

“I am honored to have the support of the hardworking men and women of UFCW Local 700,” Hogsett said. “A strong Indianapolis is one that has a strong workforce, and I have been proud to work with UFCW Local 700 and its members over the past three years to ensure that our workforce remains strong. Thank you for your support – I look forward to continuing to build a better future for our working men and women.”

Mayor Joe Hogsett is the 49th mayor of the City of Indianapolis. During his time in office, Mayor Hogsett has made significant investments in public safety, lifted the city’s 35-year moratorium on new streetlights, and launched a comprehensive criminal justice reform effort. This year, with the unanimous support of the City-County Council, Mayor Hogsett laid out an infrastructure plan that will spend more than 500 million dollars on roads, streets, and sidewalks over the next four years, making much-needed investments in Indianapolis neighborhoods.

Mayor Hogsett is committed to creating a city where prosperity and opportunity are attainable for all. That’s why, earlier this year, he launched Indy Achieves, an education program that will provide millions in scholarships and grants to low-income students attending Ivy Tech and IUPUI, helping to increase the number of Marion County residents qualified for the jobs of the 21st century.

Mayor Hogsett announced his candidacy for re-election in December of 2018.

 

Political action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Endorses Mel Hall for Congress

Jun 02, 2018

Mel Hall, Candidate for Congress (IN-2)

UFCW International Vice President and Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning announced the endorsement of Mel Hall for Congress in Indiana’s 2ndDistrict. The lifelong Hooiser and former CEO of Press Ganey, a health care patient satisfaction survey company, Hall has dedicated his career to creating jobs and helping hardworking Hoosier families succeed. Hall will fight for all working families in Congress, just like he has for his entire career.

UFCW Local 700 supports candidates who will stand up for the issues most important to our members, like higher wages, paid sick leave, and other policies that help them to enjoy more economic stability.

“Mel knows what it takes to create jobs and opportunity for Hoosier families. We need a champion for the working class in Congress, that’s why we’re supporting Mel,” said Chorpenning. “We look forward to knocking on doors and talking to voters about why Mel is the most qualified to fight for us in Washington.”

Political action, Press releases, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Announces Endorsement of Karen Salzer for State Rep

May 24, 2018

Candidate for Indiana House of Representatives (HD-20) and UFCW Local 700 Union Representative Karen Salzer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN —Today, UFCW International Vice President and Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning announced the endorsement of Karen Salzer for Indiana State Representative (HD-20). Salzer, a Union Representative at UFCW Local 700, has dedicated her career to creating more opportunity for people in Northwest Indiana. Prior to her current position at Local 700, Salzer was a leader in the grocery store where she worked and a staple in the community.

UFCW Local 700 supports candidates who will stand up for the issues most important to our members at the Indiana Statehouse. Continued inaction by Statehouse leadership on issues like living wages, paid sick leave, and other policies important to the economic health of our state have left Hoosier workers behind. These issues will be at the forefront of both Karen’s candidacy and her legislative agenda once elected.

“Karen fights for better lives for our members every day in her professional life; we know she will be a champion for all hardworking Hoosiers as State Representative. We need an advocate like Karen at the Statehouse in Indianapolis,” said Chorpenning. “We look forward to supporting Karen’s candidacy thoughout the election cycle as the most qualified candidate in House District 20.”

Political action, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Applauds Passage of SB1

Feb 26, 2018

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 700 represents nearly 14,000 members in the supermarkets and packing and processing plants throughout Indiana. These hardworking men and women are professionals who serve our community every day by producing and selling items that end up on kitchen tables all around our state.

“We are pleased to see that SB1 was passed by the legislature and look forward to the governor signing it into law,” said UFCW Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning. “SB1 encourages Hoosiers to spend their hard-earned dollars within Indiana’s borders. Permitting the sale of carryout alcohol on Sundays in Indiana retailers means more hours on the schedule for workers in our state. This leads to higher paychecks and more opportunity for workers and their families; it means more money in our local economy and a stronger state for all of us.”