Raising Standard for Retail Workers

Retail is the fastest growing sector of the American workforce. In fact, a recent Department of Labor study shows that the retail sector will most likely see dramatic job growth in the next few years. One of the fastest growing jobs? Retail clerk.

UFCW members know that union retail jobs can be stable, middle class jobs—the kind that come with affordable, quality health care, wages that pay the bills, and real retirement security.

Unfortunately, there’s also the Walmart model for retail jobs. Walmart’s wages and benefits lower the standards for retail workers. Because retail jobs are the fastest growing kind of jobs, UFCW members working in grocery stores across the country–as well as other retail stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and H&M–have an important opportunity to bring these workers into our union, get them the voice on the job they need, and together improve the standards for all American retail workers.

The vast majority of growing retail jobs are not union jobs. As UFCW members know all too well, these non-union retail stores are often in direct competition with grocery and department stores where UFCW members work. As anti-worker chains like Walmart continue to grow and to bring down industry standards, UFCW members will have to fight harder and harder at the bargaining table to maintain good wages and benefits. If our working standards slide, our living standards will slide, too. Working families will struggle to make ends meet and communities will suffer.

“The fate of retail jobs is in our hands,” says Executive Vice President and Director of Organizing Pat O’Neill. “We can raise living and working standards if we unite retail workers—union and non-union—across their companies and throughout the industry. That’s the UFCW vision, and it’s up to all of us to make that vision a reality.”

If retail jobs are going to be an integral part of America’s future, then retail jobs must be the kind of jobs that support American families and communities. They must be the kind of jobs that Americans can be proud to work.

And that’s why so many UFCW members working in the retail industry are making an effort to bring more retail workers into our union by spreading the word about the benefits of union jobs.

If you’re a grocery or retail worker interested in reaching out to non-union workers about joining the UFCW, talk to your local union to find out how you can get involved!