CONGRATULATIONS ON RETIREMENT TO RONALD E. POWELL, LOCAL 881 UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS (UFCW) UNION PRESIDENT
AND INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
WHEREAS, On January 23, 2019, Ronald E. Powell will be celebrating his retirement as President of UFCW Local 881 and Vice President of UFCW International; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this special occasion by the Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman of the 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Ron began his illustrious career in the American Labor Movement in 1961 having been himself an employee of Jewel Food Stores and a member of the formerly named, Jewel Food Store Employees Union; and
WHEREAS, For over five decades, Ron has provided progressive and innovative leadership to his union colleagues, beginning with his role as Local 881 Union Representative in 1961. From that time, his exemplary service within the organization grew in scope and influence as he advanced to the positions of Field Staff Supervisor (1968-73); Vice-President of Field Operations (1973-83); and, President (1983-present); and
WHEREAS, Ron's enormous commitment to the labor movement was further recognized and honored when he was selected by Union members in 1987 to serve as Vice-President of the International UFCW Executive Board and Vice President of the Illinois AFL-CIO; and
WHEREAS, Ron's leadership within the union has always been rooted in his deep caring for working people, the quality of their work lives, their overall wellbeing, and that of their families. Ron knows that a country's workforce is its essential backbone for positive growth and advancement and he always looked for ways to ensure that laborers were cared for in their jobs. Ron focused much of his attention on developing the quality of worksite representation, membership services, benefits, communications, and more. When he held the position of Trustee for the UFCW Midwest Health Benefits and Pension Funds, he used it to gain further insight so as to be abl...
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