With 35 members across North America, we don’t always get the chance to be in-person with FCWA groups. But in May, staff had the opportunity to support and celebrate the work of three amazing groups fighting for food workers.
10 Years of Alianza Agrícola
Alianza Agrícola is the only organized group of undocumented immigrant dairy workers in New York. This month, they celebrated ten years of organizing dairy workers, and we were honored to be there! Over the last decade, we’ve watched Alianza grow from a new project fiscally sponsored by FCWA into their own 501(c)(3). We’ve seen them steadfastly support dairy workers fighting for better job conditions. And we’ve watched them become a powerhouse member of a New York coalition fighting for bills like New York for All, the NY HERO Act, and Good Food NY.
Meanwhile, as FCWA members, they’ve been a steady presence and an active collaborator. We are grateful for their leadership, and look forward to more worker power in the years ahead.
Road Trip to Pioneer Valley Workers’ Center
From New York, we took a detour to Massachusetts to check in with the crew at the Pioneer Valley Workers Center! PVWC has been busy raising their voices against ICE attacks and creating vital community defense networks to support impacted workers their families. We’re proud that the FCWA Rapid Response Immigration Fund was able to make a small difference by contributing to this work.
PVWC and every member of our Alliance is committed to community defense against ICE’s violent, racist, and often unlawful abductions.
UFCW Local 770 Stands up for Pharmacists
In Southern California and across the U.S., grocery stores are stretching pharmacists to the limit. Bosses expect them to manage long lines and nonstop phone calls without enough staffing to safely keep up. All while making sure prescriptions are accurate and on time. Contract negotiations are now underway, and ~800 grocery pharmacists represented by Local 770 have urgent, fair demands:
- Wages that keep up with inflation and match what other retail pharmacists earn.
- Experienced, licensed staffing to support safe patient care.
- Improvements to healthcare and pensions so we can protect ourselves, our families, and our futures.
FCWA’s LA staff was out with the 770 crew at the Ralph’s on Vermont & 3rd this month, talking to customers and raising awareness. If you’re tired of long pharmacy lines, take the survey today at longlinesshortstaff.org.