Founded with help from the Hebrew Trades Council in 1925, Local 338 gave a voice to the retail food worker who, prior to the establishment of our Union, worked in an unorganized industry with horrendous conditions and salaries.  In 1926, under the leadership of Sam Wolchok, Sam Heller, and Phil Rotheberg, Local 338 affiliated with the AFL.  In trying to organize the unorganized, Local 338 became involved in a long and bitter battle with Local 104.  Finally, in 1934, after years of fighting that sometimes resulted in police action, Local 338 and Local 104 merged.

In 1937, with Local 338 leading the way, the United Retail and Wholesale Employees of America (URWEA) was formed, and Sam Wolchok of Local 338 was elected its first president.  Shortly afterward, the URWEA changed its name to the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

Local 338 is proud of our history of fighting for those in need.  During WWII we raised money for the war effort and, in the 1960's, Local 338 was an early supporter of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of the oldest health plans in the retail trade, the Local 338 Health and Welfare Fund was established more than 60 years ago. The Local 338 Health and Welfare Fund now provides comprehensive health coverage to more than 12,000 members and their families.

In the early 1970's, Local 338 instituted a Dental Benefit Plan and, in 1973, the leadership increased the pension from the Local 338 Retirement Fund.  Over the years, the Dental Benefit Fund was expanded to provide additional benefits including prescription, optical, death and disability, and legal benefits, and in 2005, was renamed the Local 338 Benefits Fund.

In 1972, Sam Karsch became president, succeeding Julius Sum, who had been president for 25 years.  In 1973, Secretary-Treasurer Leo Holtzer passed away, and Emanuel (Manny) Laub filled the vacancy.

In 1976 Manny Laub became Local 338 President.  Business Agent James (Jimmy) Johnson was installed as the new Secretary-Treasurer.

In 1988, Local 338 moved from 1790 Broadway to 97-45 Queens Blvd., Rego Park NY. Our central Queens location suited our Union well over the years, although our offices have since been relocated to 1505 Kellum Place, Mineola, NY.

Affiliation talks with the UFCW began in late 1992, and documents were completed and signed by October 1, 1993.  By October 1, 1997, the affiliation was completed.  The RWDSU became a District Council of the UFCW, and Manny Laub was elected a UFCW Vice President, and a member of the UFCW Executive Board, a seat that Local 338 has maintained.

On July 13, 1999, the Local 338 Executive Board elected John R. Durso to succeed Emanuel Laub.  President Durso filled the vacancy on the UFCW Executive Board and continues as a UFCW Vice President as well as a Vice President of the RWDSU.

Under President Durso's leadership, the Union's membership has increased by more than 40%. Several new Union Representatives were added along with a nine-member organizing staff and a five-member service representative department, all in the hopes of bringing our members closer to their Union.

In May 2005 Local 338's President, John R. Durso, also became the President of the Long Island Federation of Labor.  The 250,000 member Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO represents a wide range of union workers from teachers to technicians, public employees to painters, bus drivers to bricklayers, retail, auto, janitorial, utility, health care and construction workers just to name a few. The Long Island Federation of Labor conducts local political activities such as lobbying county and town governments and participating in local elections, as well as communicating local legislative issues to the National and State AFL-CIO. The Long Island Federation of Labor also is charged with communicating various issues to its affiliated local unions. The Federation helps to mobilize members when needed and supports unions during organizing drives. The Federation helps to put together rallies, picket lines and often comes to the aid of local unions fighting for a contract. The Long Island Federation of Labor also participates in community based service projects and helps to coordinate volunteers for local union charity drives. In the summer of 2005, the RWDSU and UFCW resigned from the AFL-CIO and joined the Change to Win" coalition, which is comprised of several international unions whose focus is organizing the unorganized while forging political alliances.

On June 14, 2009 the UFCW approved the merger of Local 305 into Local 338.  With both unions representing members working in similar industries it became a natural fit and it was with great pride we welcomed Local 305 members into the 338 family.  By uniting both unions, we combined our rich histories, values and standards for exceptional member service into one.

Local 338 is a Union of which we are all proud.  We have a rich history of service to our members and to the community in which we all live.  We endeavor to provide a better way of life for our members, staff, and their families, which we strive to achieve through strong and vibrant leadership, robust representation of our members, continuing efforts to grow our union in numbers and in strength, active participation in the political process, and through a commitment to better serve our members and their families.