Workers at Bloomingfoods, a co-op with five stores and other facilities in Bloomington, Ind., have been standing with their community, co-op member-owners, and grocery workers across the country for a voice on the job.
Workers at Bloomingfoods, a co-op with five stores and other facilities in Bloomington, Ind., have been standing with their community, co-op member-owners, and grocery workers across the country for a voice on the job. Last Tuesday, dozens of workers and community supporters stood up for these courageous workers’ right to make their workplace better. You can also show your support by signing their petition online.
“When we tried to join together to change things at Bloomingfoods, our management wouldn’t commit to working with us to find a better way,” said Kaisa Goodman, a produce worker at the Bloomingfoods East store. “In fact, when we decided to organize a union, management responded by hiring an anti-union attorney to teach them how to prevent us from having a union voice.”
Workers and member-owners overwhelmed the monthly board meeting, and the company tried to keep supporters from coming in. Even so, the comments were completely pro-union and pro-coop.
Chaim Julian, a member-owner of the co-op, started the petition to get co-op management to respect workers’ rights. “Bloomingfoods is an important institution in our community, reflective of the basic values of many of our residents who are committed to social justice, equal rights, and sustainability. Let’s make sure Bloomingfoods adheres to these basic principles during this organizing drive.”
