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