Political Quotes

“I want to take a moment to thank a leader who has worked for nearly 60 years to create a strong economy built on pride, progressive values, and shared prosperity for all Americans. Ronald Powell is the legendary president of Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. He is also a vice president on the UFCW International Union and a vice president of the Illinois State AFL-CIO. He is retiring this month after an astonishing 58 years as a proud union member and leader. You may not be familiar with the initials UFCW, but you almost surely benefit from the good work of its members. The men and women of the UFCW include grocery store workers and bakery clerks, hospital and nursing home employees--even barbers and beauty shop employees. When Ron Powell joined the United Retail Workers union, a forerunner to Local 881, in 1961, the union had fewer than 5,000 members. Fifty- eight years later, UFCW Local 881 represents more than 34,000 working men and women in Illinois, northwest Indiana, and parts of Missouri and Kentucky. The growth of Local 881 in an age when the labor movement is under relentless attack and many unions are losing members is a testament to Ron Powell's leadership and his commitment to dignity and fairness for working people. Ron Powell became president of UFCW Local 881 in 1983, just 2 years after the local was chartered. Strength, vision, and compassion are the hallmarks of his service.…”