The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.2 million workers in sectors such as meatpacking, food processing, grocery, and retail across North America, has announced its support for the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act. The bill was introduced by U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
UFCW International President Milton Jones stated:
“The UFCW wholeheartedly endorses the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act and applauds Congresswoman Tlaib’s leadership on this issue.
“With the cost of living continuing to rise, the last thing families need is price gouging at the supermarket. Technologies like electronic shelf tags threaten to usher in a new era where the price of an item you pick up from the shelf can change within the amount of time it takes to walk to the register. Even more concerning, customers could be charged different prices based on personal data like income, race, gender, and more. ‘Surveillance pricing’ is deeply unfair, potentially discriminatory, and must be banned.
“This legislation will protect consumers as well as the hard-working UFCW members who help families put food on the table each time they visit their local grocery store.”
The UFCW’s endorsement highlights concerns about emerging technology in grocery stores that could allow prices to change rapidly or vary between customers based on personal information.
