Note: As the current issue of 99Report went to press, we received word that a federal judge blocked the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons. We welcome this ruling as good news for workers and consumers. As we move forward, we will continue our efforts on behalf of our members who work in the many industries we serve.
Twenty-five years ago, the Labor Movement was at a dire crossroads. As the new millennium began, the United States endured a contentious election where the Electoral College and the Supreme Court determined the next president. Labor unions were deeply concerned, bracing for an administration widely perceived as “anti-union.”
Meanwhile, Walmart was spreading quickly, threatening to devastate our union’s market share. Questions about the future of the American worker’s ability to organize and advocate for better conditions loomed large.
To some, the death of our Labor Movement seemed imminent. However, in the face of challenges, we did what we’ve always done best: fight like hell for working families. We organized thousands of new members, stopped Walmart in its tracks in cities across Arizona and expanded into two new states.
Fast forward to the present and we can confidently say that the Labor Movement is not only alive, it’s thriving. In just the past two years, Local 99 has organized more workers than any other union in the Southwest. Employees from diverse industries — grocery, cannabis, booksellers, food processing and meatpacking — have joined Local 99, building a future where their rights and livelihoods are protected.
Beyond organizing, Local 99 members have been at the forefront of addressing the largest merger in the history of the retail food industry. While concerns about job security and industry stability initially dominated the conversation, the collective efforts of our union and the elected officials supported by our members have mitigated the most troubling aspects of the merger.
Although lawsuits and questions remain, commitments from the merger’s parties have so far ensured good jobs without the drastic cuts we feared. These outcomes demonstrate what can be achieved when workers come together to demand accountability and fairness.
As we turn the page on another election cycle, many in our movement are once again anxious about its future. In times of uncertainty, we must look to history for perspective. Time and again, working families and their unions have defied predictions of decline, proving our resilience by organizing our workplaces and winning strong contracts.
No matter the obstacle, Local 99 will never relent in protecting our members and advancing our fight for fair wages, safe workplaces and dignity on the job.
The challenges ahead are undeniable, but if the past 25 years have taught us anything, it’s this: Never underestimate the power of working families united in purpose.
The Labor Movement is far from dead. It’s evolving, growing and standing stronger than ever. Together, we will continue to build a better future for all.
