Let’s make history—again.

From humble origins—12 workers sitting atop produce crates in the California sun—UFCW 770 has bloomed into a force for good for workers across the state. Today, we stand 31,000 members strong, representing and advocating for workers in healthcare, retail health, grocery, packing and cannabis. Across the Southland, we’re committed to getting hardworking Californians more—on and off the clock. We’re UFCW 770. We don’t back down. We get ahead.

Our Victories

Our union has been around the block. We’ve won better deals for workers and their families. We’ve also played pivotal roles in some of the most urgent social issues of the past eight decades. That’s because, if you’re oppressed on the job, you’re attacked off the clock, too.

Keep marching.

  • 1937

    We start the fight for Los Angeles grocery retail workers.

    Twelve original members come together to launch the Retail Clerks International Union Local 770. Within a year, we grow to 1,300 workers strong.

  • 1947

    We lead the fight for fair wages in Los Angeles.

    After a 14-day strike, employers agree to our demands for a significant pay bump and non-discrimination clause for retail employees—helping close the opportunity gap for women and workers of color.

  • 1947

    We help disenfranchised Angelenos get heard.

    Local 770 joins the voter registration push in California’s 62nd District to register African American voters who moved from poll tax states in the south and were unaware that voting was free for everyone in California.

  • 1951

    We blaze the trail forward for preventative care.

    We bring Kaiser Permanente to L.A. and inspire retailers to add preemptive health care as a core benefit of our contract, taking care of 770 members and their families.

  • 1979

    We protect workers in some of L.A. County’s most dangerous jobs.

    We merge with the Amalgamated Meat and Butcher Workmen of North America to create the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, bringing thousands of meatcutters into our union.

  • 1983

    We win big benefits for workers across Los Angeles.

    By inking a monumental contract for workers at Clark, Thrifty, and Savon, we guarantee additional holidays, one weekend off per month, minimum guarantee of hours, and the creation of a safety committee.

  • 1985

    We fight back for workers’ wages.

    When Ralph’s withholds pay for hundreds of UFCW 770 members, we take them to court, winning back $1 million in hard-earned paychecks.

  • 1985

    We march side-by-side with farm workers.

    UFCW 770 President Rick Icaza and Cesar Chavez march in a candlelight vigil in solidarity with striking workers at the Big Buy store in East Los Angeles. Said Chavez:  “Unity and dedication will win this fight as it has won all battles in which the people have challenged injustice.”

  • 1988

    We grow our community

    when Kaiser Permanente medical technicians stands with UFCW 770.

  • 1991

    We jumpstart the movement against big box retailers in L.A. County.

    We push back against the creation of a Burbank Walmart, leading to unprecedented victories against the non-union retail giant in the years to come.

  • 1992

    We keep the knives and wages sharp for UFCW 770 meat cutters.

    When Farmer John violates state law regarding unpaid time for workers to sharpen their knives, we get $3 million in wages back for our members.

  • 1996

    We set an example for the rest of the nation.

    After leading the fight for Los Angeles City Living Wage Ordinance, we create a model for similar legislation in cities across the country.

  • 1998

    We help our members and their families reach higher.

    With the introduction of the UFCW scholarship program we give over $1 million dollars in college scholarships to our members.

  • 2000

    We get a better deal for Kaiser Permanente members,

    negotiating first major wage hikes in years—21.75 percent to 31 percent over five years.

  • 2003

    We show solidarity throughout the Southland.

    When grocery workers get locked out by Albertsons during contract negotiations, fellow workers strike at Ralph’s and Vons—leading to an unprecedented show of solidarity across southern California.

  • 2004

    We get the job done.

    The strike ends after 144 days, galvanizing consumer support for grocery workers for years to come.

  • 2004

    We lock non-union retailers out.

    770-led coalition defeats the Inglewood Walmart in a nationally-watched election.

  • 2006

    We keep employers honest.

    After 770 files complaints, Ralphs executives are convicted of breaking Federal law during lockout and strike, receiving 3 years’ probation.

  • 2009

    We show strength in numbers

    when 770 merges with 1036 to create one of the largest UFCW locals in the U.S.

  • 2010

    We streamline justice for injured members

    after President Rick Icaza introduces and leads fight for groundbreaking Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provisions.

  • 2011

    We see an opportunity to protect hardworking Cannabis workers.

    We begin the fight to represent cannabis workers and pioneer legislation to grow the industry.

  • 2013

    We shine a light on the rights of Cannabis workers.

    With the passage of prop D in the city of Los Angeles, 135 medical Cannabis businesses step out of the shadows of the black market and into a legitimate, better-regulated industry.

  • 2018

    We stand up for pharmacists.

    We lead the fight for SB 1422 and “No Pharmacist Left Alone,” protecting the health and safety of our pharmacists and the public.

  • 2018

    We open the door for more workers.

    UFCW 770 scores a nationally-recognized victory with a historic new Farmer John contract, providing union membership and union access after 36 years.

  • 2020

    770 members make the difference.

    Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, UFCW 770 members kept our communities nourished, safe, and healthy.

     

  • 2021

    We keep up the contract fights during COVID.

    Kaiser, Food 4 Less, FoodsCo, Rite Aid and CVS workers keep the fight up during the peak of the pandemic to get the improved safety and wages they deserve.

  • 2022

    Grocer workers keep the pressure up.

    Showing no sign of backing down, grocery workers fought for the contract they deserved. Making historic gains in wages, safety, healthcare, and protecting pensions.