UFCW Local 663 members had an incredible day of visioning One Union, training and beginning to build over 1000 Strike Captains in the Metro area and 500 in food processing by the end of this year.
President Rena Wong and Secretary Treasurer Michael LaCoste kicked off the event and shared 2023 wins, and their vision about what it will take to build an infrastructure for over 15,000 members in the grocery and meat packing/food processing industries in 2025.
A Local 663 member panel featured Mr. T from UNFI Cub, Sophia from Seward Co-op, Sarah D. from Lunds & Byerlys, Jose from Hormel, and Lee from Seneca Foods. Workers discussed how they built power in their workplaces to win huge gains in their current contracts, what it will take to win next time, then committed to the work ahead.
Participants moved in cohorts to three different workshops throughout the day:
- Power through Conversations
- Building Blocks of Power: Needs and Priorities
- Power in Density
Members also committed to become Strike Captains at their workplace. To learn why they are Strike Captains, watch their videos: https://stories.ufcw.org/question/local_663_strike_captain
The event was sponsored by the Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership at Metro State University.
Learn more about how to pursue your higher education goals:
Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership:
https://www.metrostate.edu/academics/programs/advocacy-and-political-leadership-mapl
North Star Promise
Earn your degree tuition free: https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/sPages/northstarpromise.cfm