Quinn for Illinois

CHICAGO – Citing Governor Pat Quinn’s longstanding, unwavering support for the right of every Illinois worker to earn a decent wage, Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union on Monday announced its formal endorsement of Governor Quinn.

“Governor Quinn has consistently stood strong in his position that every Illinois worker has a right to earn a living wage,” said Ronald E. Powell, president of UFCW Local 881 and UFCW International Vice President.  “From supporting living wage policies in the City of Chicago to increasing minimum ages standards for all workers, Governor Quinn has never shied away from joining in the fight to protect the rights of Local 881 members and all working families throughout Illinois. Local 881 is committed to unequivocally supporting Governor Quinn in the same way that he had always stood on the side of workers in the retail industry.”

"As a former member of the UFCW, I am honored by this endorsement," said Governor Quinn, who was a UFCW member when he was in high school and worked part-time at High-Low Foods in LaGrange. "I know firsthand that members of this union work hard every day, and I have been proud to stand with UFCW Local 881 in advocating for fair wages for its members. As Governor, I am committed to bringing good jobs and economic growth to Illinois. Together we can put the Land of Lincoln back on track and bring prosperity to Illinois."

At the news conference, which was held in the parking lot of a shopping mall where many UFCW workers are employed, Governor Quinn and Powell were joined by a number of Local 881 members. 

Throughout his entire career, Governor Quinn has been proud to stand with organized labor, walking picket lines and speaking out when workers’ rights to health coverage, decent work conditions, and fair compensation have been threatened or unfairly taken away.

As Lt. Governor, Quinn was one of the leading supporters of Chicago’s Living Wage ordinance, which would have required big-box retailers to pay a living wage and provide health insurance to their workers. 

Governor Quinn’s campaign has drawn strong support from organized labor. Last week, he was endorsed by UAW Region 4.  UNITE HERE and Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers have endorsed Governor Quinn, and the Teamsters Joint Council 25 and the Service Employees International Union's Illinois Council announced plans to work together to support Governor Quinn’s 2010 campaign. 

Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries.  Among the companies under contract with Local 881 are Jewel Food Stores, Osco Drug, CVS Pharmacy, Dominick’s Finer Foods, Kroger, Schnucks, and many smaller chains and independent stores, as well as nursing homes and other business establishments.  Local 881 is among the largest affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.