Skip navigation

Two Seattle UFCW Locals to Merge

Two locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in Seattle have agreed to merge, with UFCW Local 81 becoming part of UFCW Local 21.

SEATTLE — Two locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union here have agreed to merge, effective April 1, with UFCW Local 81 becoming part of UFCW Local 21.

Local 21 is already the state's largest private-sector union and, after the merger, will have more than 37,000 members working in grocery stores, meat processing, health care and other jobs. The merger with Local 81 will add over 1,500 meat cutters and wrappers to Local 21.

Mike Williams, president of Local 81, will become a vice president of Local 21 and director of its newly created meat division.

According to Dave Schmitz, president of Local 21, "With the attack on worker rights at a fever pitch across the nation, now is a very important time for us to unite and give more strength to the voices of workers across America. This merger helps in that effort."