Mighty Members of UFCW Local 135 –
Today marks Labor Day, a national holiday dedicated to the working women and men of the United States of America. As your President I am honored to serve you, the members of UFCW Local 135. It has been an interesting journey to say the least. But it is a journey that I am excited to be a part of.
It was a dark time prior to the election of our amazing team. This union that I love so much was a disgrace in the eyes of many in labor and throughout San Diego. Politics and power was the focus of the previous leadership. The membership was but an afterthought.
But that type of thinking is no more!
The leadership team we have in place, along with our dedicated Reps and office staff, are committed more than ever to our membership. We have turned our focus away from funding and anointing politicians to better serve the needs of our members. From more committed Reps to better engagement on social media to greater financial oversight and with an improved attitude overall our union is once again back to serving the members that pay our salaries. We recognize and understand that WE work for YOU. Not the other way around.
Many of you have the day off to enjoy with family and friends. And that is a beautiful thing thanks to the Labor Movement that has fought on your behalf for over 100 years. But lots of you are on the job today working hard like you do every day. Though we salute all workers on Labor Day I want to give a special shout out to our members who are working at their shifts. From those stocking shelves, to the cashiers engaging customers at the check stands, produce clerks getting fruit and vegetables ready for display, deli clerks cooking with hot grease to the bakers baking delicious items to courtesy clerks bringing in carts in the summer heat to night crew members getting numb working in the freezers to our casino workers doing all they can to make guest visits enjoyable to everybody in between that are working their behinds off doing the jobs they are tasked to do. I appreciate all of you.
It doesn’t matter your politics, your religion, your age, your ethnicity, your sexual preference or how you identify yourself. You are all members of Local 135. And you make us proud.
I am honored and humbled that you, the mighty members of UFCW Local 135 chose our team to lead you. And we will take that honor and humility wherever we go on your behalf.
I appreciate and thank you for allowing me to serve as your President. It is a job I take seriously and a job I am committed to for as long as you will have me.
Happy Labor Day to you all,
Todd Walters
President of your United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135
