FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
\nThursday, August 23, 2018<\/p>\n
Minneapolis & Worthington\u2014Union members from United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 653 and 1161 voted to build a better life together by overwhelmingly approving a merger vote. The union merger creates the largest UFCW Local in the five state area, with membership totaling over 13,100 across eight different industries.<\/p>\n
UFCW Local 1161\u2019s majority of members work in meat packing, with its largest employer in Worthington, MN at the JBS pork processing plant. Union members also work in manufacturing in Butterfield and Madelia in Southwestern Minnesota. They join the ranks of UFCW Local 653, whose membership includes workers in the grocery industry, healthcare, and retail.<\/p>\n
Union members from both locals are excited about the opportunity to work together as one.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re stronger together. I know together we\u2019ll be able to have even more muscle at the bargaining table to build even better contracts in the future. That\u2019s important for my family, so we can live safer and happier lives,\u201d said Khampiane Keophimphone, Local 1161 member at JBS Worthington.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a win win situation. Both of our Locals are doing well, and it’s just the right thing to do to come together at a time when working people are under attack. I\u2019m proud to stand up for workers like myself and others,\u201d said Lee Borela, Local 653 member at Cub Foods.<\/p>\n
UFCW Local 653 President Matthew Utecht will lead the newly merged organization, which will become UFCW Local 663 in September. UFCW Local 1161\u2019s President Michael Potter will be Director of Packing in the new organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of the decision our members made to merge. I\u2019m honored to continue serving hard-working union members in our newly formed organization. As Frederick Douglass said, \u2018People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get\u2019, and I know that having strong contracts and unions help us achieve that,\u201d said Local 1161\u2019s President, Michael Potter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m inspired by the commitment our union members have shown to become stronger by this vote. I\u2019m excited to build power for our union families and communities across Minnesota.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best defense is a good offense. That\u2019s why we\u2019re joining together. As one larger union, we\u2019ll have more strength at the bargaining table, in organizing, and creating stronger relationships in our communities. I am committed to fighting for our members to build better lives across the ever-growing industries that we represent all across Minnesota,\u201d said Matt Utecht, President of UFCW Local 663.<\/p>\n
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\nUFCW Local 663 is a private sector union over 13,100 Minnesota workers strong in the grocery, meat packing, food processing, retail, healthcare and other industries.<\/p>\n
Contact: Jessica Hayssen
\n651-261-8559
\njessicah@ufcw653.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"