UFCW Local 1167 joins Stater Bros. family
in mourning the passing of Jack H. Brown
BLOOMINGTON, CALIF. (Nov. 14, 2016) —
Union members, civic leaders and grocery executives across Southern California are lamenting the passing of Jack H. Brown Jr., executive chairman of Stater Bros. Markets, on Nov. 13. He was 78.

“Jack was more than a brilliant executive who grew his company to ever greater levels of strength,” observed Rick Bruer, president of UFCW Local 1167, which represents Stater Bros. employees in the Inland Empire.
“He was an amazing human being whose kindness and generosity were warmly felt by all who knew him, including the union members who worked under his enlightened leadership.”

President Bruer said Brown “truly loved his employees and considered them members of his family.” "One of the things that always impressed me about Jack is that he never let go of his roots. He always carried his box cutter to remind him of where he came from,”

“He did more than tolerate the union presence in his stores,” Bruer continued. “He understood that a union was critically important in giving his workers a voice on the job.”

“When other companies made unfair demands on their employees, even locking them out or forcing them to go on strike in 2003-2004, Jack refused to join them or support their tactics,” Bruer said. “Many of our members found refuge in those dark days by finding jobs at Stater Bros. Markets.”
Bruer concluded: “The United Food and Commercial Workers join the rest of the Stater Bros. family — including its management, customers and everyone else who cares about higher standards in the grocery industry — in mourning the loss of Jack Brown.

“We also send our deepest condolences to his immediate family, including his beloved wife, Debbie, as well as his three daughters and seven grandchildren.”