From dispensaries, labs, delivery services, and kitchens, to manufacturing, processing, grow facilities and more, UFCW helps workers secure the great benefits of a union contract.

The median salary for cannabis workers is 10.7% higher than the median salary in the United States

Cannabis job growth is expected to average 21% year through 2022.

As part of UFCW’s commitment to build a successful industry with a thriving, diverse, and skilled workforce, UFCW members can now earn a free online Cannabis Business Fundamentals Certificate through our Free College Benefit Program. 

This program is fully online and consists of the following topics:

• Introduction to Cannabis
• Cannabis Law and Policies
• Cannabis Symptom Management
• Cannabis Retail Customer Support

There are over 30 states that have legalized medical marijuana and, each year, more states are legalizing it for recreational use. As this industry continues to expand, UFCW – the Cannabis Workers’ Union – in partnership with Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) are here to kick off your career in this emerging sector!

There’s a growing need for skilled technicians and specialists who can enter this exciting field as:

• Dispensary staff
• Product managers
• Marketing/sales associates.
• And more!

This certificate is embedded in EGCC’s Business Management degree and will best position students for gainful employment in a dispensary and provide a jumping-off point into more advanced study in horticulture, pharmacology, and other advanced topics.

UFCW members and qualifying family members are eligible to enroll in the program.

To take advantage of this benefit, you will need to apply to Eastern Gateway Community College.

For more information or additional support, please call at 888-590-9009.

Every year the UFCW Charity Foundation scholarship program offers scholarships to UFCW members or their immediate family members who want to further their education and demonstrate a commitment to their communities and to UFCW values.  Since 1958, the fund has distributed more than $2 million in scholarships.

Past winners have gone on to make significant contributions to society and to the UFCW – entering a range of fields including public service, medicine, law, business and teaching.  Many have returned to the UFCW as staffers, organizers, and community activists who contribute to our mission.

Please email cfscholarship@www.ufcw.org with questions.

Apply Now >>>

*UFCW-employed officers and staff, and their immediate families are not eligible for this program.

Every year the UFCW Charity Foundation scholarship program offers scholarships to UFCW members or their immediate family members who want to further their education and demonstrate a commitment to their communities and to UFCW values.  Since 1958, the fund has distributed more than $2 million in scholarships.

Past winners have gone on to make significant contributions to society and to the UFCW – entering a range of fields including public service, medicine, law, business and teaching.  Many have returned to the UFCW as staffers, organizers, and community activists who contribute to our mission.

Apply Now >>>

*UFCW-employed officers and staff, and their immediate families are not eligible for this program.

Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $4.3 million to students of union families, including UFCW members. Over 2,900 union families have benefited from our commitment to higher education. This program is offered through the Union Plus Education Fou

ndation, which is sponsored by Union Privilege.

If you are going to college, be sure to apply for the Union Plus Scholarship program before the deadline passes this January 31.

Details:

Application deadline: 12:00pm (noon, Eastern Time), Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Award amounts: $500 to $4,000.  These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the Fall of 2019.  Students may re-apply each year.

Award date: May 31, 2019. During the first week of June 2019 award recipients will be notified by postal mail, and all applicants will be sent email notification.

Eligibility criteria:

• Current and retired members of unions participating in any Union Plus program, their spouses and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations) are eligible. Grandchildren are not eligible unless a legal dependent (as defined by IRS regulations).  At least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant’s spouse or parent (if applicant is a dependent). The one year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31, 2019.
• Members of participating unions from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada are eligible.
• The applicant must be accepted into a U.S. accredited college, university, community college, technical or trade school at the time the award is issued.  Awards must be used for the 2019 – 2020 school year.
• Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.

• ---

Apply Now

One such program is UFCW Local 21’s Meatcutters Apprenticeship Program. Domico Kelly, UFCW Local 21 member and graduate of the program, shares with us the advantages of working as a meatcutter and why he’s grateful he took the leap and signed up:

Every year, the UFCW Charity Foundation scholarship program offers scholarships to UFCW members or their immediate family members who want to further their education and demonstrate a commitment to their communities and to UFCW values.  The fund has distributed more than $2 million in scholarships since 1958.

To read more about this year’s winners, go to The UFCW Charity Foundation website.

Here are this year’s winners:

Walter Henry, Local 2D

Satta Samura, Local 400

Dakota Birchara, Local 880

Gabriel Harris, Local 1996

Casey Vileta, Local 881

Katera Moberg, Local 7R

Andy Song, Local 770

Erin McDonagh, Local 1518

Apply by October 12th to enroll in the fall semester.

One of the benefits of UFCW membership is access to a free college degree. It’s UFCW’s mission to give you every advantage to get ahead. That’s why we’ve partnered with Eastern Gateway Community College. Through the UFCW Free College benefit, you and your family members can now earn an associate degree completely online–for FREE.

Eastern Gateway is an accredited community college, a member of the University System of Ohio, and is one of the fastest-growing public colleges in the country. It’s an open access public college governed by the Ohio Board of Regents and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Learn More

Brooke’s Experience with Free College

Brooke Anne Phillips is a UFCW member taking classes through the UFCW Free College program. Here’s what she had to say about the experience:

I found out about the Free College Benefit by looking at the union board in our breakroom. More people need to check out the union board!

So once I got information from the breakroom board, I went to the Free College website and I kept inquiring about it.

I asked what’s the gimmick? I talked to my union rep and they reassured me there was no gimmick.

I made an appointment with the college, and then I applied!

I graduated from school 9 years ago, in 2008. Seeing the breakroom poster was a sign that it was time for me to go back to school. I’d waited for so long, because it was too much money to go to school otherwise.

I’m studying early childhood education. Before I came to Clover, I was in childcare. I figured I could get a degree, and a higher paying job with more school under my belt. It’s a passion of mine to teach children.

The only challenge I am having is that you need to be very disciplined. You have to take the time out of your day to make sure you keep up on homework. I take one class a semester and I spend about 5 hours a week doing my assignments.

The College gives you due dates and they’re helpful because they help me figure out how to spend my time.

I’ve found a lot of support and encouragement from my department at work and from my friends and family. Thanks to their support, I just jumped right in.

The beauty of online classes is that you can make your own schedule — you can get online at 2 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon to take classes.

My advice to other members thinking about using their free college benefit: take a deep breath, take your time and realize that it’s going to be ok. Don’t overload yourself.

I want other members to know as long as you go out there and try, there’s no way you’re going to fail. You just have to try and keep trying. Do it for yourself, not just for your children. This is an opportunity to further your education and ready yourself for the future.

UFCW Fights to Improve the Pay and Quality of Life for the Workers Who Bring Value to Retailers and Customers

By: Chris Curry

The Crunch: The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union works daily to improve pay, benefits, and working conditions for its 1.3 million members. The UFCW is America’s largest private sector labor union and represents the grocery, retail, and packing house workers who help the economy run. As technology threatens to automate many jobs, the UFCW is working to show the value that knowledgeable and professional associates bring to customers and businesses. The organization also helps members advance their careers through free college tuition and GED courses. In the modern labor movement, the UFCW stands up for working conditions — and work-life balance — that result in better jobs and a stronger labor force.

The members of the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union play an often-overlooked role in our daily lives.

Take Super Bowl Sunday for instance. UFCW members work in the industries that provide some of the most popular items on the menus at parties across the country: Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, the Heinz Ketchup for those hot dogs, the Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for the chicken wings, and they even sell the avocados for the guacamole. The Jim Beam for the whiskey and Cokes came from a distillery whose workers are represented by the UFCW, and members made the leather for the footballs used in the game.

“Our members are behind the scenes in all these daily interactions and moments in people’s lives, from the Super Bowl to Christmas,” UFCW Communications Director Erikka Knuti said.

In addition to featuring the hard work UFCW members do and the value they have to offer, DealCrunch also highlighted a number of the education opportunities available to UFCW members and their family members:

Programs Help Prepare Members Through Education & Skills Training

In the modern workplace, businesses and employees both face a significant challenge in managing rapid change. And while companies allocate resources for change in the form of equipment or technology, preparing workers for an evolving workplace is often an afterthought.

The UFCW has introduced multiple programs to help members adapt to changes and progress in their careers and personal lives.

Free College for Career Advancement Opportunities

UFCW members and their families — spouses, domestic partners, children, stepchildren, and grandchildren — receive free tuition toward an online associate’s degree from Eastern Gateway Community College in Ohio. The arrangement covers all fees and ebooks for courses.

The free tuition program initially started with local labor unions in Ohio that recognized cost was the single biggest barrier to finishing college.

Finance, marketing, early childhood education, criminal justice, and accounting are among the degree programs available.

Erikka said in one particular case, the opportunity to pursue an early childhood education degree benefited both a UFCW member and the retail store where she works.

“She is taking early childhood development classes and gaining expertise while working in the baby aisle at her store,” Erikka said.

GED Courses to Help Workers Finish High School

Across the country, many frontline retail and grocery store workers drop out of high school to get a job and help support their families. Erikka said a new UFCW initiative is designed to help them.

“We’re about to roll out a program for people who didn’t finish high school to get their GED,” she said.

A GED will help workers meet qualifications for additional positions and open the door to pursuing an associate’s degree through the free tuition program at Eastern Gateway Community College.

Language Training to Improve Customer Service

English as a second language programs are also available to help UFCW workers better serve customers and advance in their careers. The UFCW will soon offer Spanish as a second language programs as well.

The skills that members learn through language courses will only add to their value in a retail setting, Erikka said.

“It all goes back to the value our members can offer a company,” she said. “The fact that they are taking early childhood development classes to better work in the baby products aisle and are interested in taking Spanish as a second language to better help customers, that is something that should be valued.”

 Are you a UFCW member interested in learning more about these discounts and educational opportunities?

Learn More About:

Language Training GED Courses Discounts Free College Degree

“The UFCW scholarship made it possible for me to attend my preferred college even though it was located hundreds of miles away from home.  It also allowed me to spend more time studying and less time working.”

– 2010 Scholarship Winner Jennifer Archuleta

The scholarships are open to both UFCW members and their families. Was it you or a family member that was a UFCW member? 

My dad is a UFCW member who has worked at Albertson’s for over two decades. He recently became a union representative.

Did you find the UFCW scholarship helpful?

Yes.  The UFCW scholarship made it possible for me to attend my preferred college even though it was located hundreds of miles away from home.  It also allowed me to spend more time studying and less time working.

Do you remember how you found out about the scholarship?

My older siblings received the UFCW scholarship.  When it was my turn to apply I looked for information in the UFCW newsletters as well as the website.

What did you end up studying? 

My degree is in Music Education with a concentration in violin.

What do you think was the most valuable thing personally to you about going to school? 

The university provided an intellectually stimulating setting that challenged me on an academic and personal level.  I learned a lot about my major, but I learned more about life, and even more about myself.

What do you do now?

I am a kindergarten through fifth grade music teacher.

What’s your favorite part about your job? 

I love singing and playing with children.  I love nurturing a child’s musical, academic, and emotional growth from their first day of elementary school until their last.

What type of music do you like and what instruments you play?

I am a violinist.  While attending the University of North Texas I had the opportunity to perform in their orchestra, choir, jazz ensembles, and opera pit. 

What’s one fun thing you’ve learned or been able to experience recently?

I recently became certified in the Kodály teaching method, and celebrated by road tripping across the California coast with my sister.  We went hiking, swimming in the ocean, and watched a dog surfing competition.

If you are a past year scholarship winner, let us know what you are up to! We’d love to feature you and your accomplishments.

Did you know that as a UFCW member, you and your family are eligible for an exclusive scholarship through the Union Plus Scholarship Program?

The scholarship amounts range from $500 to $4,000. These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the Fall of 2018. Students may re-apply each year.

Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $4.2 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education.

Over 2,800 families have benefited from our commitment to higher education. The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation.

Apply today!

​Winners will be announced May 31, 2017. Read about the 2016 winner here.