Grocery Worker Union Applauds Governor Baker for Protecting Massachusetts During Pandemic

Executive Actions to Cap Store Capacity, Expand First Responder Testing and Increase Access to Free Child Care Set National Standard

BOSTON, MA – Presidents of Local Unions 328, 371, 791, 1445 and 1459 of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) issued the following joint statement applauding Governor Baker for taking decisive steps to keep essential places like grocery stores and the people who work and shop within them safe.

“Grocery and food workers across the country have been “deemed” essential by the federal government and by state governments, but few politicians have stepped up to ensure they have the safeguards they need to continue feeding America like Governor Baker.

“Governor Baker’s executive actions throughout this crisis, like advising the public to wear a mask when they go out, have made grocery stores across Massachusetts safer places to work and shop.

“He recognized immediately that our members and hard-working people in every grocery store have been putting their lives on the line to keep communities stocked with enough supplies to survive this pandemic. And he stepped up big to protect them and the many families they serve.

“Governor Baker designated grocery workers as essential employees to ensure they would have much-needed free access to child care. He also expanded first responder testing sites to include them. He was also first in the country to issue shop safe standards to protect grocery store workers.”

“Make no mistake, these executive actions matter and Governor Baker has shown true leadership by enacting them. We urge other governors to do the same so that safe shopping standards can become the norm across America.”

UFCW Local Unions 328, 371, 791, 1445 and 1459 represent 15,000 workers at Stop and Shop Supermarkets, and 2,500 workers at Shaw’s Supermarkets. Collectively, they represent 25,000 workers in various industries throughout Massachusetts. 

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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries.

Our members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org