{"id":64337,"date":"2026-03-26T13:32:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/?post_type=press_releases&p=64337"},"modified":"2026-03-26T13:32:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:32:32","slug":"minnesota-georgia-and-iowa-join-ufcws-national-campaign-to-ban-surveillance-pricing-on-groceries","status":"publish","type":"press_releases","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/press-releases\/minnesota-georgia-and-iowa-join-ufcws-national-campaign-to-ban-surveillance-pricing-on-groceries\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota, Georgia, and Iowa Join UFCW\u2019s National Campaign to Ban Surveillance Pricing on Groceries"},"content":{"rendered":"
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State Legislators Lead Bills to Lower Grocery Prices and Protect Jobs\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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WASHINGTON, D.C.<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Today, legislators from Minnesota, Georgia, and Iowa joined the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union\u2019s \u201cAffordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign<\/a><\/strong>\u201d to ban the predatory practice of \u201csurveillance pricing,\u201d target the encroachment of AI-driven technology in grocery stores, and deliver fair prices for families while preserving good, union grocery jobs. This comes as Walmart patents<\/a>\u00a0new technologies to enable algorithms to set prices and automatically change prices on customers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Minnesota State Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (DFL-63A) <\/strong>said:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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“In the face of Big Tech rushing recklessly to adopt predatory AI tactics, we must strengthen our regulations to protect consumers and workers. I’m focused on passing legislation that prioritizes affordable groceries for families and good union jobs over corporate profits. We can’t let technology take over our livelihoods and bank accounts without a fight!”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Georgia State Rep. Sam Park (D-107)<\/strong>\u00a0said:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cNo Georgian should pay more for milk, bread, or baby formula because an algorithm profiled them. The Georgia Surveillance Pricing Act draws a clear line: retailers cannot use personal data to discriminate on price. This is basic consumer protection updated for the age of AI \u2014 and it ensures that the rise of AI in retail serves workers and families rather than exploits them. Georgia’s workers and families deserve this protection, and it’s time for our state to step up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Iowa State Sen. Zach Wahls (D-43)<\/strong>\u00a0said:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cIowans are already getting squeezed at the grocery store, and the last thing we need is big retailers turning our shopping habits into a weapon to jack up costs. This bill bans surveillance pricing in retail food stores, so a company can\u2019t use your personal data to quietly change the price on the shelf just for you, based on what it thinks you\u2019ll pay. If you\u2019re in the aisle to buy something your family relies on, the price should be the price\u2014period.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso <\/strong>said:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re proud to work alongside legislators in Minnesota, Georgia, and Iowa to lower the price of groceries and protect good-paying union jobs. States all over the country are taking the charge to put an end to surveillance pricing because they know that nobody is sheltered from the skyrocketing price of groceries, regardless of political party affiliation. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThis issue demands urgent action as Walmart accelerates its rollout of electronic shelf labels and patents new technologies to allow algorithms to set prices dynamically. The UFCW is committed to removing this harmful technology from our grocery aisles because nobody should be paying more for essential goods based on who they are or the zip code they live in.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Email press@ufcw.org<\/a>\u00a0to speak with a spokesperson about the threat that surveillance pricing and electronic shelf labels pose to fair grocery prices and good, union jobs.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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BACKGROUND<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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