UFCW Lauds New Jersey Leaders as Governor Sherrill Signs Nation’s First Moratorium on Electronic Shelf Labels to Keep Groceries Affordable

Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union, UFCW Local Unions across New Jersey, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), and RWDSU Local 108 are applauding New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill for signing the Fair Price Protection Act (A4085/S3612) into law. The new law is the first-of-its-kind in the United States to ban surveillance pricing and impose a moratorium on electronic shelf labels (ESLs) in grocery stores across New Jersey.

The presidents of UFCW Locals 152, 312, 360, 464A, 1262, the RWDSU, and RWDSU Local 108, which represent grocery retail workers in New Jersey, said:

“With today’s landmark bill signing, Governor Sherrill and the Garden State have kick-started the fight against AI-powered price gouging in grocery stores. By imposing a moratorium on electronic shelf labels, New Jersey is protecting grocery workers and consumers from harmful technology aimed at squeezing every last dime out of hardworking families.

“UFCW and RWDSU members know how disruptive ESLs are, which is why we thank Senate President Scutari, Speaker Coughlin, Senator Cryan, and Assemblyman Onyema, who championed this bill.”

UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso, who attended the bill signing in Newark today, said:

“By signing the Fair Price Protection Act into law, Governor Sherrill has declared that price gouging on groceries has no place in New Jersey and that stopping electronic shelf labels is a key component in this fight. New Jersey leaders see ESLs for what they are: a tool to hike prices.

“As large grocery chains across the country rush to outfit their stores with this technology, we commend New Jersey lawmakers for their leadership on this issue. We hope this law will serve as a catalyst for states across the country to shield shoppers from AI-driven predatory pricing and protect good, union grocery jobs.”

The Fair Price Protection Act is the first law in the U.S. to effectively ban surveillance pricing and restrict ESLs, led by Senator Joseph Cryan (D-20), Senator Joseph Lagana (D-38), Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema (D-28), and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-20), and championed by Governor Mikie Sherrill, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

New Jersey is among 12 states that have joined the UFCW’s “Affordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign” to ban the predatory practice of surveillance pricing, target the encroachment of AI-driven technology in grocery stores, and deliver fair prices for families while preserving good, union grocery jobs. New Jersey’s legislation is the strongest effort to date.