The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union 770 named Kathy Finn its first woman president on Thursday, during a swearing-in ceremony in Los Angeles, Calif.
The new leadership team for UFCW 770 also includes Secretary-Treasurer Danny Garcia, Recording Secretary Joyce Roberson, and three vice presidents, the union said.
The union represents thousands of grocery and pharmacy workers in California and has been outspoken in its opposition to the proposed $24.6 billion Kroger, Albertsons merger.
Finn recently made headlines during a press conference discussing the merger, where she said the grocers’ release of the detailed list identifying the locations of 579 stores “changes nothing.”
Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, said in a press release that “women are leading the labor movement nationally.”
“Kathy Finn and UFCW 770 are exemplary partners for the LA County Federation of Labor. They uplift our most essential workers and empower them to stand up to massive corporations like Kroger, Food4Less, CVS, and more,” Wheeler said.
Finn joined UFCW 770 in 1990 and has served as a trustee on the Southern California UFCW Health & Welfare Fund and Pension Fund, the union said.
She spent 20 years as director of collective bargaining at the union and five years as secretary-treasurer.
“Kathy Finn has successfully negotiated fair contracts for members and reinforced the union’s democratic principles. Her election signifies a groundbreaking moment for UFCW 770, emphasizing equity, advocacy, and women’s empowerment within the labor movement,” the union said.