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Labor Union

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 (UFCW Local 770)

Website:

ufcw770.org/
Location:

Los Angeles, CA
Tax ID:

95-4076624
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(5)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $20,573,596
Expenses: $23,160,991
Assets: $26,243,286
Formation:

1937

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United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 is a union that represents workers in healthcare, retail health, grocery, packing and cannabis industries in California. 1 The union reported 29,300 members as of 2022 2 and is the largest local affiliate of the United Food and Commercial Workers parent union. 3

UFCW Local 770 has opposed a proposed merger between grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons. 4

Advocacy Positions

California Senate Bill 553

In August 2023, the UFCW Local 770 announced their support for California Senate Bill (SB) 553, which would require local businesses to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans. Such plans would be required to include provisions including logging violent incidents as well as providing employees with training for active shooting and shoplifting situations. 5 6 The bill was passed by the California legislature in September 2023. 7

Opposition to Kroger-Albertsons Merger

UFCW Local 770 opposed the merger of Kroger and Albertsons grocery chains. 8 The proposed $24.6 billion merger was announced in October 2022 and would impact 700,000 workers. 9 UFCW Local 770 stated that if the merger were approved, it would “drive out competition, increase food prices, create food deserts and put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk.” 10 Kroger said that it has taken steps so that no stores will close due to the merger and all front-line associates will remain employed. 11

In April 2023, grocery worker Erika Bentzen, who also works as a vice president on the UFCW Local 700 executive board, led a group of protesters of the merger. They protested in front of a Ralph’s Grocery Company in Thousand Oaks, California. 12

The UFCW Local 770 backed California’s Senate Bill 725 called the Grocery Worker Safety Net Law that would make sure grocery and pharmacy workers who are laid off as a result of a merger or acquisition are given one week’s severance for every year of work. 13

Opposition to Ride Share Workers as Independent Contractors

In 2020, the state of California considered Proposition 22 on the ballot that if passed would determine that app-based rideshare drivers associated with companies such as Uber and Lyft were independent contractors 14 rather than regular employees. 15 UFCW Local 770 gave $1 million to the “No On Prop 22” campaign. 16 Proposition 22 passed and was upheld in the California Court of Appeals in March 2023. 17  Opponents have appealed to the California state Supreme Court. 18

COVID Restrictions

Grocery workers filed complaints in May 2020 with UFCW Local 770 over alleged safety violations that were pandemic related. 19 The complaints led to an investigation by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health and citations. 20 The violations were for allowing too many customers inside the store and not having workers keep the minimum of six feet of physical distance. 21

UFCW Local 770 was also critical of grocers that ended the “hero pay” financial incentives given during the pandemic in 2023. Many grocers gave extra pay to front-line workers deemed “essential workers” in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, in some cases an extra $3 an hour. 22

UFCW Local 770 PAC

The union has a political action committee. The UFCW Local 770 distributed $145,403 of its funds to the PAC in 2022. 23

Leadership

Kathy Finn is the president of UFCW 770. 24 Finn was named to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ transition advisory team in December 2020. 25 She was previously the secretary-treasurer with the union. 26

Ricardo Icaza was the former president of UFCW 770 and retired in 2017. 27 Icaza had worked as the union president for 36 years. He died in July 2023. 28

Finances

UFCW Local 770 had total revenues of $20.6 million in 2021 and total expenses of $23.2 million. Its total assets were $22.3 million. 29 UFCW Local 700 collected $17.4 million in dues in 2022. 30 It spent $6.8 million on representational activities, such as collective bargaining, in 2022 and $526,067 on political activities and lobbying. 31

References

  1. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. Our Story. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/our-story/
  2. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. LM-2 Form. 2022. Schedule 13. Membership Status. Accessed Sept. 24., 2023. https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=861670&rptForm=LM2Form
  3. Food Chain Workers. UFCW Local 770. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. https://foodchainworkers.org/portfolio/ufcw-local-770/
  4. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. Stop The Merger. March 14, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/stop-the-merger/
  5. Jenna Thompson. “Pharmacy And Grocery Workers Demand Workplace Safety Amid Spike In Violent Attacks At Los Angeles Retail Stores”; UFCW Western States Council. Aug. 17, 2023. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/worker-and-customer-safety-first-pass-sb-553/
  6. Phan, Karena and Leon Ramirez. “California bill does not make it illegal for employees to confront shoplifters.” Associated Press (AP), September 15, 2023. https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-california-bill-553-shoplifiting-illegal-false-808408149947
  7. California Legislative Information. SB 553. Sept. 14, 2023. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB553
  8. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. Stop The Merger. March 14, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/stop-the-merger/
  9. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. Stop The Merger. March 14, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/stop-the-merger/
  10. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. Stop The Merger. March 14, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/stop-the-merger/
  11. Kroger. “Kroger And Albertsons Companies Announce Comprehensive Divestiture Plan With C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC In Connection With Proposed Merger”; Sept. 8, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ir.kroger.com/CorporateProfile/press-releases/press-release/2023/Kroger-and-Albertsons-Companies-Announce-Comprehensive-Divestiture-Plan-with-CS-Wholesale-Grocers-LLC-in-Connection-with-Proposed-Merger/default.aspx
  12. Anthony Plascencia. “Grocery Workers In TO Protest Proposed Merger Of Kroger, Albertsons Chains”; Ventura County Star. April 6, 2022. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://www.vcstar.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2023/04/06/grocery-workers-protest-kroger-alberstons-merger-thousand-oaks/11616593002/
  13. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770 Instagram post. April 29, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://www.instagram.com/p/CrPZAkKhCVt/
  14. Ballotpedia. California Proposition 22, App-Based Drivers As Contractors And Labor Policies Initiative (2020). Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_22,_App-Based_Drivers_as_Contractors_and_Labor_Policies_Initiative_(2020)
  15. Grace Gedye. “Court Ruling Opens Door To Gig Driver Unionization Bill, Union Says”; Cal Matters. March 20, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://calmatters.org/economy/2023/03/court-ruling-gig-driver-union/
  16. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. LM-2 Form. 2022. Schedule 16. Political Activity And Lobbying. Accessed Sept. 24., 2023. https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=861670&rptForm=LM2Form
  17. Grace Gedye. “Court Upholds California Prop. 22 In Big Win For Gig Firms Like Lyft And Uber”; Cal Matters. March 13, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://calmatters.org/economy/2023/03/prop-22-appeal/
  18. Maya Miller. “California Supreme Court Asked To Step Into Prop. 22 Fight After Union Loss To Uber, Lyft”; Sacramento Bee. April 25, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article274671136.html
  19. Suhauna Hussain. “Grocery Stores Fined For Lax Protections”; Los Angeles Times. Oct. 1, 2020. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023.
  20. Suhauna Hussain. “Grocery Stores Fined For Lax Protections”; Los Angeles Times. Oct. 1, 2020. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023.
  21. [1] Suhauna Hussain. “Grocery Stores Fined For Lax Protections”; Los Angeles Times. Oct. 1, 2020. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023.
  22. Suhauna Hussain. “Stores Phasing Out Extra Pay For Essential Workers”; Los Angeles Times. May 17, 2020. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023
  23. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. LM-2 Form 2022. Schedule 16 – Political Activities And Lobbying. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=861670&rptForm=LM2Form.
  24. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. Our People. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/our-people/
  25. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. UFCW 770 President Kathy Finn Named To LA Mayor Karen Bass’ Transition Advisory Team. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/ufcw-770-president-kathy-finn-named-to-la-mayor-karen-bass-transition-advisory-team/
  26. Workforce Development Board. Kathy A. Finn Acts As The Secretary-Treasurer for UFCW Local 770. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://www.wiblacity.org/index.php/about-the-wdb/meet-the-members?view=employee&id=110
  27. United Food And Commercial Workers Western States Council. UFCW 770 President Announces Retirement. August 25, 2017. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://www.ufcwwest.org/ufcw-770-president-announces-retirement/
  28. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. President Ricardo Icaza 1933-2023. July 14, 2023. Accessed Sept. 24, 2023. https://ufcw770.org/president-ricardo-icaza-1933-2023/
  29. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. 990 Form. 2021. Part I. Summary. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/95-4076624
  30. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. LM-2 Form 2022. Statement B. Receipts And Disbursements. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=861670&rptForm=LM2Form
  31. United Food And Commercial Workers Local 770. LM-2 Form 2022. Schedule 16 – Political Activities And Lobbying. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=861670&rptForm=LM2Form
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: January 1, 1941

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2021 Dec Form 990 $20,573,596 $23,160,991 $26,243,286 $3,894,856 N $0 $18,972,929 $346,495 $2,287,729
    2020 Dec Form 990 $20,613,968 $25,160,338 $28,858,856 $3,880,675 N $0 $19,353,360 $474,472 $2,503,812
    2019 Dec Form 990 $20,109,080 $23,492,442 $31,801,362 $3,307,876 N $0 $18,908,247 $610,025 $2,868,480
    2018 Dec Form 990 $19,864,443 $23,214,065 $33,467,699 $3,311,185 N $0 $18,226,535 $741,498 $2,585,088 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $19,554,834 $22,241,542 $37,096,300 $2,833,147 N $0 $17,995,878 $733,998 $2,652,629 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $19,507,704 $21,778,174 $38,840,349 $2,767,596 N $0 $18,195,900 $745,556 $2,734,620 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $20,218,717 $22,328,174 $41,072,564 $3,255,022 N $0 $18,446,270 $792,738 $2,541,383 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $19,740,105 $21,023,864 $42,845,707 $2,929,328 N $0 $18,443,684 $654,019 $2,537,666 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $19,016,973 $19,128,372 $43,579,608 $2,672,431 N $0 $17,743,854 $690,402 $2,657,545 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $18,655,749 $18,698,643 $43,773,849 $2,400,203 N $0 $17,671,528 $304,530 $2,797,324 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $18,801,856 $18,530,641 $39,597,576 $2,460,618 N $0 $18,094,106 $85,808 $2,377,745 PDF
    2010 Dec Form 990 $19,905,112 $17,225,070 $38,401,033 $2,102,730 N $0 $19,068,271 $235,876 $2,772,237 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 (UFCW Local 770)

    630 S SHATTO PL 2ND FL
    Los Angeles, CA 90005-1303