July 28, 2005
A Message from President Ricardo F. Icaza

Effective today, the UFCW has advised AFL-CIO President John Sweeney of its decision to disaffiliate from that body.

The UFCW with the Teamsters, SEIU, Laborers, UNITE HERE, Farm Workers and Carpenters have come together in a strategic coalition to bring new hope to working families under The Change to Win Coalition.

Efforts to reform the AFL-CIO have not had the desired result of streamlining federation operations to strategically redirect resources to build a worker movement that could restore the opportunities of the American dream for working families.

We have great respect for John Sweeney and even more respect for American workers - that is the motivation for this change. The AFL-CIO does not support comprehensive reform and the Coalition believes that in order to serve the workers they represent reform is necessary. The fundamental issue is how best can labor use resources to meet worker needs.

The UFCW remains committed to continuing participation in central labor councils, state labor federations and constituency groups to help make local labor movements stronger and inclusive.

We will keep you informed of further developments.