On Wednesday, the AFL-CIO “It’s Better In a Union” tour bus raced to the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 481 union hall in Indianapolis where union members gathered for a rally and press conference in support of workers at Kroger and REI stores who are in the midst of intense collective bargaining negotiations.
Both sets of workers are members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 700. The members employed at Kroger are working their way toward a contract vote soon, while the members at REI are still in pursuit of their first contract since voting to form and join their union in February 2024. Federal employees were also represented at the rally and called for attendees to join the fight against the ongoing attacks on collective bargaining rights from the Trump administration.
"We're all here because we all agree to the same thing in our hearts, that belonging in a union is better," UFCW Local 700 President Tracy Bartak said.
"That contract is very important for the Kroger workers. We're going to get a little bit more appreciation if they go through and give us a good contract, with good wages and good benefits," added Local 700 member Vern Sowers.
On its way out of town, the tour bus victoriously raced past the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Indiana State AFL-CIO President Brett Voorhies saluted its departure with a wave of the checkered flag, encouraging union members everywhere to “start your engines!”