Michigan’s Largest Private Sector Union Endorses Adbul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate
July 2, 2026
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951 (UFCW 951) today announced its endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate in Michigan’s Democratic primary.
“Abdul El-Sayed is a fighter, not a career politician, who sees a broken system and will help workers make life more affordable,” UFCW 951 President Courtney Phillips, said. “Coming from a second-generation union family, he understands the challenges working families face every day. He knows firsthand the pride our sisters, brothers and siblings feel about their union membership and the work they do.”
El-Sayed is committed to getting money out of politics and does not accept corporate campaign donations. He wants to put more money in workers’ pockets by expanding the right of unions to organize and bargain collectively. He’s fighting to pass Medicare for All so every American has access to health care. Additionally, he wants to ensure billionaires and large corporations are paying taxes at the same percentage as everyone else.
“Our members are tired of feeling the system is rigged and big business has the upper hand,” Phillips said. “Abdul wants to make sure everyone pays their fair share, and he wants to make sure workers have a seat at the table. This is what a real ally for working people looks like.”
El-Sayed is a physician who has spent his career in public service. As director of the Detroit Health Department, he took on corporate polluters, tested city schools for lead after the Flint water crisis and provided free glasses to schoolchildren. As head of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, he launched a program to cancel up to $700 million in medical debt.
UFCW 951 represents more than 31,000 members across Michigan and remains committed to supporting candidates who prioritize workers’ rights and economic fairness. The union encourages its members and all Michigan voters to make their voices heard in the primary election on Aug. 4, 2026, and again in the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.
“This election could decide which party controls the U.S. Senate,” Phillips said. “Worker protections, collective bargaining rights, affordable health care and public safety investments are all on the line and we need people in office who understand and fight for working families.”
UFCW 951 is a labor union representing over 31,000 workers across Michigan in a variety of industries
including grocery, retail, food processing, and cannabis, who are employed at a variety of companies including Meijer, Kroger,
JBS, JLL, Sunberry Beverages, Polly’s, Harding’s, Planned Parenthood of Michigan, Zen Leaf, and Meijer Manufacturing.
The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States representing over 1.3 million UFCW members nationwide
and UFCW 951 is the largest private sector union in Michigan.
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