Merger creates largest union of retail workers in Minnesota

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4623

15 September 2010
SOUTH ST. PAUL - Two large locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers union have merged to create the largest union for retail workers in the state.
Members of both Local 789 in South St. Paul and Local 1116 in Duluth voted overwhelmingly to join the two organizations to become UFCW Local 1189.

“Growing our union, negotiating good contracts and helping workers form and join a union will be the priorities of the new organization,” said Don Seaquist, former president of Local 789, now president of Local 1189.

“As retail, meatpacking, food processing and health care employers have grown, it is now time for labor organizations to meet the challenge and strengthen workers' voices. We choose to move forward by creating a state-wide organization which will provide greater power and voice to workers in all the industries we represent.”

Following the merger, Local 1189 represents nearly 12,000 workers in retail, health care, meatpacking, manufacturing, and food processing in northern, east metro and southeastern Minnesota, western Wisconsin and North Dakota.

The motto of the new union is “Stronger together.” Local 1189 is reaffiliating with the Minnesota AFL-CIO and will be recognized at the state federation’s convention later this month.

For more information
Visit the Local 1189 website: http://www.ufcw789.org/

[Sherman A1]

1. This is good as long

as they remain in touch with their members and don't just get bigger for the sake of getting bigger.