Monthly Archives: December 2024

This year, workers from around the country in a variety of industries made history by joining our union family for a better life.

Earlier this year, workers at the Patagonia store in Reno, Nev., voted to join UFCW Local 711, becoming the first Patagonia store in the country to unionize.

“My fellow co-workers and I are now standing together with the protections of union representation and about to negotiate a contract, all thanks to our union siblings over at REI whose progress inspired us to continue the hard work of unionizing this industry,” said Nick Helmreich, a retail team lead at the Reno Patagonia store. “We are ready to fight for a contract that protects our rights and provides the wages and benefits we’ve earned making Patagonia the success that it is in Reno.”

Cannabis workers at two Honey Sour dispensaries in uptown and downtown Butte, Mont., voted to join UFCW Local 1889 in September. This organizing win marks the first time cannabis workers in Montana have unionized since the legalization of cannabis in the state in 2021.

“I am incredibly proud to announce this historic achievement for us cannabis workers in Montana,” said Milo Vukovich, a Honey Sour dispensary worker who was also part of the organizing process. “Through today’s victory, we hope that we can pave the way for all cannabis workers in the state to receive the representation and benefits they deserve. This milestone shows just how powerful we are when we stand together, regardless of the industry.”

In October, workers at the PetSmart store in Mishawaka, Ind., achieved a historic victory by becoming the first PetSmart store in the county to unionize by joining UFCW Local 700.

“With this victory, we’ve shown the company that we’re serious about coming together and unionizing for real change in our stores,” said the workers on the PetSmart Union website. “Now, we’re focused on putting our collective voice into action and building strength throughout the country! We can’t wait to see which PetSmart store joins us next in our fight to make PetSmart the company we know it can be.”

Here are the organizing articles that appeared in OnPoint this year:

Cannabis Workers in California Join Local 135 – For Local Unions

Barnes & Noble Workers in California Join Local 1428 – For Local Unions

Nursing Home Workers in Ohio Join Local 1059 – For Local Unions

Lush Cosmetics Workers in Missouri Join Local 655 – For Local Unions

Hershey Workers in Canada Stand Together for a Better Life – For Local Unions

Clerical Workers in New Jersey Join Local 152 – For Local Unions

More Planned Parenthood Workers in Michigan Join Local 876 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Rhode Island Join Local 328 – For Local Unions

Co-op Workers in Minnesota Join Local 1189 – For Local Unions

PetSmart Workers in Indiana Make History by Joining Local 700 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Maryland Join Local 27 – For Local Unions

Montana Cannabis Workers Make History by Joining Local 1889 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers at The Joint Join UFCW Canada – For Local Unions

More Bookmans Workers in Arizona Join Local 99 – For Local Unions

Workers at Two Maryland Cannabis Dispensaries Join Local 400 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Continue to Join Local 152 – For Local Unions

ASI Group Workers Join UFCW Canada – For Local Unions

Poultry Workers in Mississippi Stand Together for a Better Life – For Local Unions

Health Care Workers Join UFCW Canada – For Local Unions

Bookstore Workers in Arizona Make History by Joining Local 99 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Maryland Join Local 27 – For Local Unions

More Planned Parenthood Workers in Michigan Join Local 951 – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Hawaii Join Local 480 – For Local Unions

YMCA Lifeguards in Colorado Join Local 7 – For Local Unions

Gay-Lea Food Cooperative Workers Join UFCW Canada – For Local Unions

Planned Parenthood Workers in Michigan Join Local 876 – For Local Unions

Security Guards in Canada Stand Together for a Better Life – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Michigan Join Local 1473 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Missouri and Illinois Join Local 655 – For Local Unions

More Better Buzz Coffee Workers in California Join Local 135 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Ohio Join Local 1059 – For Local Unions

Planned Parenthood Workers in Michigan Make History by Joining Local 951 – For Local Unions

Highline Mushrooms Agricultural Workers Join UFCW Canada – For Local Unions

Packaging Workers in New York Join Local 342 – For Local Unions

Genesis HealthCare Workers in New Jersey Join Local 152 – For Local Unions

Banner Fish Workers in New York Join Local 342 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Nevada Continue to Join Local 711 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Colorado Join Local 7 – For Local Unions

Better Buzz Coffee Workers in California Join Local 135 – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Oklahoma Join Local 1000 – For Local Unions

Nothing Bundt Cakes Workers in Indiana Join Local 700 – For Local Unions

More REI Workers in California Join Local 5 – For Local Unions

H&M Workers in Florida Make History by Joining Local 1625 – For Local Unions

School Cafeteria Workers in Illinois Join Local 1546 – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Oklahoma Join Local 1000 – For Local Unions

Partners Coffee Workers in New York Join Local 1500 – For Local Unions

H&M Workers in New York Join Local 888 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Ohio Join Local 880 – For Local Unions

Virginia Bookstore Workers Make History by Joining Local 400 – For Local Unions

Barnes & Noble Workers in California Join Local 5 – For Local Unions

More Cannabis Workers in Maryland Join Local 27 – For Local Unions

H&M Workers in New York Join RWDSU/UFCW – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Maryland Continue to Join Local 27 – For Local Unions

More Barnes & Noble Workers in New York City Join RWDSU/UFCW – For Local Unions

Patagonia Workers in Nevada Make History by Joining Local 711 – For Local Unions

DO & CO Catering Workers in Illinois Join Local 1546 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Missouri Join Local 2 – For Local Unions

Car Wash Workers in Colorado Make History by Joining Local 7 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Continue to Join Local 152 – For Local Unions

Indiana REI Workers Join Local 700 – For Local Unions

Arizona Cannabis Workers Join Local 99 – For Local Unions

Restaurant Workers in Kentucky Join Local 227 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Missouri Continue to Join Local 655 – For Local Unions

More Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Join Local 152 – For Local Unions

Oklahoma Policy Institute Workers Join Local 1000 – For Local Unions

Truck Drivers in Maryland Join Local 27 – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Missouri Win NLRB Fight to Join Local 655 – For Local Unions

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Workers Join Local 371 – For Local Unions

More Cannabis Workers in Nevada Join Local 711 – For Local Unions

UFCW members continued to stand together and negotiate strong, new contracts this year, and some members had the benefit of securing their first union contracts.

In March, over 40 workers at Madison Sourdough Co. in Madison, Wis., who are members of UFCW Local 1473, ratified a first union contract.

“We knew that winning our union was just the beginning, and that bargaining our contract was going to be our biggest challenge yet,” said Spencer Schlenker, who is employed as a bread baker at Madison Sourdough Co. and served as a bargaining committee member. “While it was a long and difficult process, we were able to stand together as a unit to win improvements in our workplace, and ultimately bring a strong union contract to our co-workers.”

In October, 35 members of UFCW Local 711 who work at the RISE Dispensary in Henderson, Nev., ratified a first contract that strengthens wages and benefits.

“Working in the Nevada cannabis industry for years, I have seen firsthand the importance for workers to unionize. After seeing my team’s hard work and patience to stand up for their rights, I can only hope others follow suit,” said RISE Personal Care Specialist Blaze Linn. “Better rights, better wages make for better lives.”

More than 300 members of UFCW Local 371 who work at Ben & Jerry’s production facilities in St. Albans and Waterbury, Vt., ratified their first union contract in November.

“I’m so proud of my co-workers for sticking together and demanding better,” said Jeff Johnson, who works at the Ben & Jerry’s production facility in St. Albans and served as a member of the bargaining committee. “The union difference is clear and joining UFCW Local 371 will make a huge difference for us. Joining the union’s health insurance and getting consistent wages means hundreds more in each of my co-worker’s checks each month, and protecting our retirement and our paid time off gives us the security we need in uncertain times.”

Here are the ratification articles that appeared in OnPoint this year:

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Workers in Vermont Ratify a First Union Contract – For Local Unions

Rite Aid Workers in California Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Distribution Center Workers in Canada Ratify a First Contract – For Local Unions

Health Care Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

CVS Workers in California Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Rite Aid Workers in California Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Oregon and Washington Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Health Care Workers in Canada Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Canada Ratify a First Contract – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Nevada Ratify a First Contract – For Local Unions

Health Care Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Pennsylvania Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Washington Ratify First Contracts – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Ratify a First Union Contract – For Local Unions

Imperfect Foods Workers in California Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Kroger Workers in Virginia Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Agricultural Workers in California Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Giant Eagle Workers in Pennsylvania Ratify a First Contract – For Local Unions

Health Care Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Lush Cosmetics Workers in Kentucky Ratify a First Union Contract – For Local Unions

School Bus Drivers in Canada Stand Together for a Better Life – For Local Unions

Seafood Workers in Pennsylvania Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

RWDSU Guitar Center Workers in Six Locations Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Maryland and Virginia Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

JBS Workers in North Carolina Stand Together for a Better Life – For Local Unions

New Jersey Fire Commission Workers Ratify a First Contract – For Local Unions

Disney Workers in California Ratify New Contracts – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Wisconsin Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Food Service Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Cargill Workers in Canada End Strike and Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

LabCorp Workers in Washington Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in California Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Minnesota Stand Together for a Strong, First Contract – For Local Unions

Police Officers in Maryland Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Arizona Ratify a First Union Contract – For Local Unions

Acme Markets Workers Win Better Wages and Benefits With New Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Minnesota Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Half Price Books Workers in Minnesota Ratify First Contracts – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in California Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Ratify a First Union Contract – For Local Unions

Health Care Workers in Massachusetts Stand Together for a Better Contract – For Local Unions

Health Care Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Madison Sourdough Workers in Wisconsin Ratify a First Contract – For Local Unions

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey Workers Ratify a First Contract – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Pennsylvania Stand Together for a Better Life – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Maryland Ratify a First Union Contract – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Maryland Ratify a First Union Contract – For Local Unions

Acme Markets Retail Clerks in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Farmers Markets Workers in the DMV Area Ratify First Union Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Washington Ratify a Strong, New Contract – For Local Unions

RWDSU Post Cereal Workers in Michigan Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions

Grocery Workers in Canada Ratify Industry-Leading Contract – For Local Unions

Health Care Workers in Virginia Ratify a Strong, New Contract – For Local Unions

Cannabis Workers in Connecticut Make History by Ratifying Their First Union Contract – For Local Unions

Food Processing Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract – For Local Unions