United Food and Commercial Workers UFCW

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 881 is based in Chicago. The UFCW is a union that is headquartered in Washington, DC and represents 1.3 million workers in the US and Canada. The majority of members work in retail food, meat and poultry packing, food processing and manufacturing, and retail stores. About 40% of UFCW members are under the age of 30. There are 42 UFCW offices in Illinois. Nationally, UFCW advocates for issues including health care, minimum wage, immigration, and worker safety.  Illinois UFCW chapters strongly supported the 2006 Chicago City Council "Big Box" legislation that required large chain retail stores to raise wages and benefits for employees. The measure was passed by the Chicago City Council, but was vetoed by Mayor Daley.

UFCW Local 881 is a career patron of Secretary of State Jesse White (D) and Comptroller Daniel Hynes (D).

From 1993 through December 31, 2002, UFCW Local 881 gave $703,000 to Illinois legislative and statewide candidates; 98% of this amount went to Democrats.

Last revised June 2011.