December 18, 2019

UFCW Statement on USMCA Trade Deal Ahead of Vote in Congress

America’s Largest Private Sector Union Welcomes Improved Labor Standards in Deal, But Condemns Failure to Strengthen Food Safety and U.S. Food Industry Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) President Marc Perrone released the following statement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ahead of the vote in the U.S. House of Representatives: 

“This new trade deal makes important improvements to the original NAFTA, including improving the enforcement of labor standards; requiring the inspection of Mexican factories; and closing loopholes that have made it hard to prosecute labor violations.

“However, UFCW is extremely disappointed that the agreement fails to require strong country-of-origin labeling needed to strengthen food safety and invest in the millions of American jobs that produce our food. Consumers have a right to know where their food is from, whether it’s safe, and if it’s produced by American workers. Without strong country-of-origin labeling, consumers will be kept in the dark and America’s food workers will continue to face unfair competition from foreign companies not playing by the same rules.

“No single trade deal is enough to fix an economy that’s not working for millions of Americans. Our members will continue to call on Congress and the White House to put hardworking families first by pushing for strong country-of-origin labeling for food and passing legislation like the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO Act) that strengthen protections for all workers.”

###

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