Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Members of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) Local 21 participated in the Healing Appalachia music festival to connect attendees with information about the union and organizing resources.
The annual event brings community members together to enjoy music and provides those affected by opioid addiction with much-needed resources. The union partnered with the festival because it recognizes that the stability of a good union job with quality benefits can be especially life-changing for workers in addiction recovery. Local 21 even hosts regular Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at its union hall, embodying the true spirit of solidarity.
Alex Ware, president of RWDSU-UFCW Local 21, said, “Addiction has touched so many families in our communities, including our union family. At Local 21, we believe in new beginnings and in the power of good union jobs to change lives. Many of our members have overcome struggles with addiction and found stability, community, and dignity through union work and in the connections made through our union. That’s why we’re proud to support Healing Appalachia and to be here helping people see that recovery can lead to real opportunity.”