Has the United Food and Commercial Workers Union outlived its relevance?

OPINION:

Speaking to workers on its website, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union writes: “You deserve wages that give you financial stability, let you support a family and build a better life. With a union, that is possible.”

While we can all agree that financial stability, supporting a family and building a better life should be opportunities accessible to anyone who would like to take part in the American Dream, a union certainly isn’t necessary to achieve that. A hundred years ago, before the establishment of OSHA or the passage of workplace protections like the Fair Labor Standards Act or Family and Medical Leave Act, perhaps a union was necessary.

But one can’t help but wonder: Has the UFCW outlived its relevance? 

UFCW International President Marc Perrone certainly doesn’t think so, considering the organization has continued to collect dues from essential frontline workers through the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mr. Perrone has continued to receive more than $350,000 in compensation. But that’s just a drop in the bucket, according to UFCW filings with the Department of Labor from 2015-2019, which show a history of lavish spending including $11 million on airline flights, nearly $20 million on hotels and events, and $22 million on public relations and consulting. 

While the UFCW may be garnering more sympathy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems the union’s political activism has fueled UFCW’s rise to notoriety rather than any tangible achievements to keep members safe or in a more financially secure position — acts like Mr. Perrone co-signing a CNN op-ed with Vice President Kamala Harris, UFCW leaders joining with self-proclaimed socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders in a letter to grocery store CEOs to demand hazard pay be reinstated and even antics like spending union dues on mobile billboard trucks and elaborate light shows.

While the UFCW might have themselves convinced they are fighting the good fight, it’s worth pointing out that the union has failed to expand its footprint to any notice. They claim to “bring ordinary people” together and strive to “improve their lives and making a lasting difference for all working people,” but it seems the UFCW is really only concerned with criticizing its top employer — the #1 generator of revenue for the union — the Kroger Co. 

Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, was recognized as a leader for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing itself as one of the first large retailers to issue an additional $2/hour — known as “Hero Pay” — to their employees on the frontlines early in the pandemic. The hazard pay came in addition to numerous rounds of bonuses, enhanced benefits, and even store credit to be used on groceries and household essentials.

Since then, Kroger has invested more than $1.5 billion to recognize and safeguard employees. The company has even hired more than 100,000 new employees during the pandemic, providing new opportunities for those who were laid off from some of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy.

But the UFCW is sounding like a broken record with tone-deaf demands to reinstate hazard pay — using the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to raise its profile, further its political agenda and embolden the “Fight for Fifteen.” Interestingly, the union has alleged that paying employees the rate they themselves collectively bargained for is “weakening [workers] financially when dealing with COVID-related hardships.”

Perhaps even more notable, they haven’t reduced or suspended membership dues during the pandemic. For an organization that claims it wants more money in its members’ pockets — that seems like a pretty straightforward way to do so.

In Southern California, we’ve already seen the unfortunate, yet unsurprising, aftermath of the union’s misguided efforts. The City of Long Beach last month implemented a potentially illegal ordinance mandating certain grocers pay workers an extra $4 an hour due to the pandemic. Considering the razor thin margins of the grocery industry, and with many stores already underperforming, Kroger had no choice but to close two locations this week in an effort to feasibly maintain operations in the city. Hypocritically, Mr. Perrone took to Twitter calling the predictable closures “outrageous” and “ruthless.”

Looking back on the past year, it is clear the UFCW has outlived its relevance, and only continues to bite the hand that feeds it. The UFCW’s redundant cries for hazard pay ignore the total benefits package that companies like Kroger provide — benefits that include “access to affordable health care” and “the right to retire,” both of which are touted on the UFCW’s website.

If UFCW manages to keep it up, legacy union companies like Kroger will be forced to pay the price, which could include limiting store hours, hiring less workers, closing additional locations, and even turning to more automated technology in stores — none of which is good for retail workers — or their union.

• Bob McEwen previously represented Ohio in the Congress of the United States for six terms.