This very special episode before Thanksgiving features the President of UFCW 99 - Jim McLaughlin. He's joining us to talk about the awesome work of their union, the pending merger between Kroger and Albertsons, and what the merger means for the future of grocery stores and communities in Arizona. It's a conversation about union solidarity and workers' rights that we hope will inspire you as much as it inspired us!

About President McLaughlin:

Jim McLaughlin currently serves the working men and women of Arizona as President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 99 representing more than 25,000 workers.  Mr. McLaughlin began his career working for Ralph’s grocery store in Orange County, California as a member of UFCW Local 324.

In 1992, McLaughlin was hired as a field Representative with Local 99, later became an Organizer, and was elected President in November 2001.

He currently serves on the national level as International Vice President of the UFCW International Union.  Jim is the chairman of the $1 billion dollar Desert States Pension Fund and the Arizona Retail Health fund that delivers $300 million dollars annually in health benefits to UFCW members and their families.