Honored for Fighting for Members Amid COVID Pandemic
Local 400 was honored with the American Beverage Association Distinguished Service Award at the DC Appleseed Center for Law & Justice’s recent 2020 Gala, held virtually due to COVID-19.
Our union was chosen due to our fight to protect our members and gain first responder designation and hazard pay amid the pandemic.
In presenting the award, Sean Krispinsky, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of the American Beverage Association, said:
To make the District of Columbia a better place to work, UFCW Local 400 has worked tirelessly to deliver results and implement real changes to benefit workers. UFCW carried on its tradition of standing up for its members during the pandemic by fighting to ensure that essential grocery store personnel are classified as frontline workers, and that they receive the benefits and access to health care that they deserve.
UFCW successfully spearheaded a campaign to expand free COVID testing to the District’s grocery store workers, a much needed measure that protects workers and their families. The union has introduced an interactive COVID safety concerns reporting form, where workers can report their concerns and violations of safety procedures, which helps keep stores safe for employees and shoppers.
And Local 400 has stood up for its members in fighting for hazard pay programs, demonstrating a never-ending commitment to the workers of the DMV.
These efforts are the epitome of distinguished service, particularly in the face of the adversity presented by these times.
Local 400 President Mark P. Federici accepted the award. “In honoring Local 400, you truly honor our members,” he said. “They are the true heroes in this pandemic. They work every day to serve their communities, their customers and their families by providing food under very difficult circumstances. We’re going to keep working together to have a safe environment for people to be able to live and thrive in Washington, D.C.”
The DC Appleseed Center for Law & Justice has worked for more than 25 years to make the District of Columbia a better place to live and work. The organization works with volunteer attorneys, business leaders, and community experts to identify pressing challenges, conduct research and analysis, make specific recommendations for reform, and implement effective solutions to improve the daily lives of those who live and work in the National Capital area, particularly low-income residents and people of color.