Until July 2005, UFCW was affiliated with the AFL-CIO, where it was the second largest union by membership.

However, it was also during this time period that the UFCW leadership refused to support an Austin, Minnesota meatpackers local ( P-9 ) in its contract dispute with the Hormel Foods Corporation.

In 1994 Douglas H. Dority was appointed the second International Union President by the UFCW International Executive Board following the retirement of William Wynn.

In 2004, following the retirement of Dority, Joseph T. Hansen was appointed by unanimous vote of the UFCW International Executive Board to be the third International President of the UFCW.

in June 2008, UFCW Canada Local 832 ( Manitoba ) was successful in achieving a first collective agreement covering some 60 Mexican migrant farm workers at Mayfair Farms in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.

The industry was originally targeted for organizing by then, UFCW Local 5, statewide special operations director, Dan Rush.

Fifty million dollars of the settlement was to be paid to eligible UFCW members, with the remainder being paid in fines to the federal government.

A ' unity slate ' of executive council members was announced by Douglas H. Dority, president of the UFCW and a key Donahue supporter, and Gerald McEntee.

UFCW national representative Kevin Shimmin said that the dispute caused the secret ballot vote to be reviewed, while Cindy Lee, chief executive officer at T & T Supermarket claimed that it was the decision of the Ontario Labour Relations Board to look into whether the union has enough support from employees to in the first place file the application.

Nonetheless, UFCW President Joe Hansen continued to try to mediate a resolution, and expressed his hope that a settlement was possible.

Lakeside Packers was unionized under UFCW as of the early 1980s, and members were local Alberta residents who strongly supported their union local.

In April 2005, as part of a volley of accusatory websites created by Wal-Mart and the UFCW, the union created Wake Up Wal-Mart, a U. S .- based website and campaign with the stated goal of reforming Wal-Mart's business practices.

In 2005, the NUP formally dissolved and its five member unions, along with the Teamsters Union and the United Food and Commercial Workers ( UFCW ), created a new coalition, Change to Win, which introduced a program for reform of the AFL-CIO.

William H. Wynn, president of the RCIU and one of the designers of the merger, became president of UFCW at the time of its founding.

Launched in 2006 by the United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club, BGA has since grown to include the Communications Workers of America ( CWA ), Natural Resources Defense Council ( NRDC ), Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ), National Wildlife Federation ( NWF ), Utility Workers Union of America ( UWUA ), Union of Concerned Scientists ( UCS ), American Federation of Teachers ( AFT ), Amalgamated Transit Union ( ATU ), United Auto Workers ( UAW ), and the United Food and Commercial Workers ( UFCW ).

The UFCW ultimately struck a deal with Hormel management, seized control of Local P-9, and removed the local union leaders, actions that dealt a significant blow to the credibility of the UFCW in the eyes of many in the larger labor movement.

In 1993 the International Union of Life Insurance Agents of Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota also merged with the UFCW, adding another 1, 500 members to the union.

In 2004, UFCW Canada and the National Union of Public and General Employees ( NUPGE ) signed a formal organizing protocol recognizing the UFCW as the union with primary jurisdiction for organizing agricultural workers in Canada and agreeing to cooperate on joint organizing and advocacy campaigns.

In 2010, the workers of mayfair Farms de-certified UFCW claiming they were tricked into joining the union.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society recognized the UFCW with its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 for the union members ' 23 years of commitment and contributions.

In 2007, Smithfield filed a federal lawsuit against the UFCW citing the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, claiming that the union orchestrated a public smear campaign to hurt Smithfield's business as a method of extorting the company.

" In October 2008, the UFCW and Smithfield reached an agreement, under which the union agreed to suspend its boycott campaign in return for the company dropping its RICO lawsuit and allowing another election.

In Canada, the UFCW managed to win union recognition at two Wal-Mart stores in Quebec.

In 2008, the UFCW and MP Jon Cruddas launched a campaign in Britain attacking the company's refusal to negotiate with the union.

Unlike may other " discount " chains ( e. g. Payless ) Gemco employed union members of the UFCW ( United Food and Commercial Workers ).

Employees of Loblaws and the Real Canadian Superstore are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers ( UFCW ) union.

On July 12, 2009, Bashas ' filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11, citing the weak economy, increased competition, and their ongoing legal fight with the UFCW union.

In 1980, the Barbers, Beauticians and Allied Industries International Association merged with UFCW, followed by the UFCW Local 811 | United Retail Workers Union in 1981 ( now Local 881 ).

Bringing about the largest addition to the UFCW since its creation in 1979, on October 1, 1993, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, and their 100, 000 members, merged with the UFCW, becoming the RWDSU District Council of the UFCW.

As the AFL – CIO prepared for its 50th anniversary convention in late July, three of the federations ' four largest unions announced their withdrawal from the federation: the Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (" The Teamsters "), and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union ( UFCW ).

Also in 1983, the Insurance Workers International Union voted to have their 15, 000 members join the UFCW.

In 1996 the 40, 000 members of the International Chemical Workers Union merged with the UFCW to form the International Chemical Workers Union Council of the UFCW.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union ( UFCW ), on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, sought court intervention to enjoin the government from illegally arresting and detaining workers including U. S. citizens and legal residents while at their workplace.

The coalition currently consists of four member unions: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters ( IBT ); Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ); United Farm Workers ( UFW ); and United Food and Commercial Workers ( UFCW ).

In 1986 the Canadian Brewery Workers Union merged with the UFCW.

In 1991 the 5000 members of the Independent Foodhandlers and Warehouse Employees Union in Rhode Island and Massachusetts merged with the UFCW to form Local 791.

In 1992 the Leather Goods, Plastics, Handbags and Novelty Workers Union merged with the UFCW.

In 1997 the Canadian Union of Restaurant and Related Employees merged with the UFCW.

In 1983 UFCW held its first regular convention in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Wal-Mart, a non-unionized company, has repeatedly been accused by the UFCW of treating its workers poorly and driving down employment standards.

In late 2003 and early 2004, Ralphs locked out its workers who were members of the UFCW in sympathy with competitor Vons ( owned by Safeway Inc .) in Southern California, after the UFCW had declared a strike against Vons.