UFCW Rejoins AFL-CIO

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Local and national union leaders welcomed yesterday's announcement that the UFCW is re-affiliating with the AFL-CIO. "A stronger, more unified grassroots movement of working men and women is exactly what’s needed to raise wages for workers and rebuild an American middle class," said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. "In unity there is certainly strength!" said UFCW 400 President Mark Federici, adding that Local 400 "looks forward towards a more active involvement with our sisters and brothers within the AFL-CIO."  Metro Council President Jos Williams, noting that UFCW locals 400 and 1994 "have never ceased being among our strongest affiliates," applauded the move by UFCW as "a visionary step towards greater solidarity." Said UFCW 1994 MCGEO President Gino Renne, "It's good to be back!" And with "many workers already speaking out and taking action to build power together," Trumka added that "UFCW’s affiliation to build a stronger movement couldn’t be more timely."