As seen in the Unity: Summer 2026 – President’s Report. See past copies of Unity here.

As we look ahead, it is important to recognize where we are today and, more importantly, where we need to go as a local union.

I am proud of the work we are doing. We have established a strong reputation for bargaining aggressively and standing up for our members when employers mistreat them. At the same time, we have demonstrated a willingness to be a reliable partner when opportunities arise that benefit our members and the industries in which they work.

There will always be room to improve, new challenges to confront, and new opportunities to pursue. Our responsibility is to continue building a stronger, more effective, and more forward-looking union.

Building the workforce of tomorrow

Workplaces are evolving quickly. Technology, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence are reshaping how our work is performed. As these changes continue, we must make sure that skilled workers remain essential to the future of our industries.

We are currently exploring the development of a stronger meatcutter apprenticeship program. With many of our journeymen butchers approaching retirement, we need a pipeline of skilled workers ready to step into these critical roles. If we can successfully bring labor, employers, and workforce development organizations together around a common goal, we can create career opportunities for our members while preserving and passing on a trade near and dear to our union.

Preparing for the future also means ensuring technology is used responsibly. The UFCW recently led efforts that resulted in New Jersey becoming the first state in the nation to ban surveillance pricing and establish a moratorium on new electronic shelf labels in grocery stores.

We can no longer wait for technology to change our workplaces and then react. We need to be at the table, shaping the future and making sure technology only makes work safer and more efficient—not  a tool that simply eliminates jobs and reduces the labor hours of working people.

Growing our voice

Our voice cannot stop in the workplace.  Decisions made in Trenton and Washington directly affect our members’ wages, health care, retirement security, and rights on the job. That is why political engagement and member participation are important. We do not need to agree on every issue to agree on one fundamental principle: Working people deserve the opportunity to earn a good living, support their families, and build a secure future.

Political engagement is not about telling our members how to vote. It is about making sure working people have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, their families, and their workplaces. Our union must make sure elected officials understand that we are paying attention and that the collective voice of our members matters.

Building a stronger Local 152

I am very optimistic about what we can achieve in the years ahead. Our goal should never be simply to preserve what we have. Our goal should always be to build on it. The responsibility we have is bigger than any one contract campaign, organizing drive or legislative victory. 

Our responsibility is to make sure Local 152 remains strong and prepared for whatever challenges arise. That is how we honor the members who built this great union and that is how we’ll be prepared for what comes next!

Daniel Ross, Jr.
President, UFCW Local 152