If the current pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we cannot take anything for granted. In these challenging times, many gained a newfound appreciation for the quiet courage of the humble grocery store worker. Their hard work, once so easy to overlook because it is so commonplace and necessary, is now being recognized as crucial to our frontlines.

Here at ILWU Local 142, we always knew what our workers were worth. This union has helped Foodland workers statewide -- from grocers and courtesy clerks to cashiers and receivers -- organize and negotiate fair contracts for over 40 years. We are proud to support them in this time and highlight some of their experiences in these pages. Many of our members in the General Trades industrial grouping have been working nonstop since this pandemic started, and our grocery store workers are no exception. Please make it a point to patronize our union brothers and sisters at a Foodland store near you (see following page).