UFCW Local 1776 Merging With UFCW Local 23

January 24, 2019

UFCW Local 1776

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UFCW Local 1776 Merging With UFCW Local 23

Click here for Merger FAQ
Click here for Merger Memorandum of Agreement and other important documents

To the members of UFCW Local 1776 and Local 23,

We are pleased to announce that that UFCW Local 1776 and 23 members have voted overwhelmingly to merge, creating Local 1776 Keystone State. We would like to thank the hundreds of Local 1776 and Local 23 members who came out to vote for this merger, and we are happy to announce that this was voted on with nearly 100% approval.

UFCW Local 1776 Keystone State will represent over 33,000 members across the state of Pennsylvania, and will be the United Food and Commercial Workers statewide Local. Local 1776 Keystone State will now have jurisdiction over the entire state of Pennsylvania, as well as parts of New York, Ohio, and West Virginia. We will represent dozens of industries across the Commonwealth, with hundreds of employers including Acme, the PA Wine & Spirits Stores, Giant Eagle, Kroger, Cargill, The Hershey Company, and more.

This is a fantastic result for the members of Local 1776 and Local 23. With strength in numbers, we will now have a louder voice at the bargaining table and in the workplace. Our statewide footprint will put us in a better bargaining position and we will be able to ramp up our organizing campaigns across the state, representing new members who deserve better wages, better benefits, and voices in their workplaces.

With a stronger united front, we are in our best position yet to negotiate tough contracts and provide better wages and benefits for our hardworking members. We will have more funds to pay for the services we provide members, improved resources to weather a strike or other action, and increased power when negotiating contracts and organizing workers.

Local 1776 and Local 23 have a long history of working together on many issues over the years, and we are excited to open a new chapter in this partnership. The effective date of the merger is May 1st, 2018, and we will be spending the months preceding working together to ensure a seamless transition to become UFCW Local 1776 Keystone State. Again, we would like to thank the members of Local 1776 and Local 23 for supporting this merger, and look forward to representing a united front of 33,000 members.

In solidarity,

Wendell Young IV

President, UFCW Local 1776

Tony Helfer
President, UFCW Local 23

Important Documents

**please note that the merger agreement and Local 1776 bylaws are drafts and are subject to non-substantive edits**

Merger FAQ

How will this affect me? This merger is in the best interest for all members because our combined forces will make UFCW stronger. We will have more resources to better serve our members; a stronger collective voice in contract negotiations; and a greater reach across the entire state.

Will this affect my job or change my hours? No. The merger of two locals has no impact on members’ hours or jobs.

Will this affect my contract? No. Looking ahead, however, we believe that our combined locals will be in a better position to negotiate strong contracts. There is strength in numbers.

Will this increase my dues? No. In fact, the leadership teams at Local 23 and 1776 will continue to manage all expenses to ensure that members’ dues are invested wisely. By combining forces, we anticipate that we will be better positioned to keep dues affordable for all members.

Will this change my benefits or healthcare in any way? No. As we look ahead, however, we believe that we will be able to negotiate for better healthcare for two reasons; first, we will have a combined 33,000 members and larger purchasing power; second, we will have access to plans across the state and that will put us in a better negotiating position.

Will this change my status as a shop steward? No. All stewards will continue in their current role.

What area will UFCW Local 1776 now cover? Our reach will cover virtually the entire state of Pennsylvania, a part of West Virginia, and a small portion of Ohio.

Will this change who my union representative is? No. All union representatives will continue in their current roles.

Will the membership get to vote on this decision? Yes. This is a democratic process and every member has the right to vote. A majority of the voting members from both locals must approve the merger.

Will the UFCW offices change locations? No. There are no plans to relocate any offices.

What new companies will the union be representing? The combined local will represent dozens of companies. Some of Local 23’s largest employers and potentially new employers for our local include Giant Eagle, Kroger, Sysco Foods, Smithfield Foods, Bay Valley Foods, and Wheeling Island Racetrack and Casino. For a list of companies that Local 1776 represents, click here.

Page Last Updated: Nov 17, 2017 (14:25:33)