Two food and commercial workers union locals will merge to form the largest food workers union in Minnesota.
Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 789 in South St. Paul and UFCW Local 1116 in Duluth have voted to combine to create UFCW Local 1189. The new local will have about 11,700 members, 7,000 of whom are from Local 789. Maple Grove-based UFCW 653, which covers the west metro and is not part of the merger, has about 11,000 members.
UFCW Local 789 has had jurisdiction in the east metro area, while Local 1116 covers much of the state, as well as western Wisconsin and North Dakota. With the merger, the union will have more clout for organizing and bargaining, said Don Seaquist, president of the new Local 1189.
The new local will have northern and southern offices. The UFCW primarily represents workers at grocery stores, food processors and health care facilities.
MIKE HUGHLETT
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