On Jan. 27, workers at the Whole Foods store in the Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia made history by becoming the first in the Amazon-owned grocery chain to unionize by voting to join UFCW Local 1776.
“Today, we celebrate an incredible victory for the workers at Whole Foods in Philadelphia who have stood together to secure the union representation they deserve,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone in a statement. “This win sends a powerful message to workers everywhere that when we stand together, we can take on even the largest corporations and win. Whole Foods and its parent company, Amazon, have long resisted unionization efforts, but this election shows that workers’ determination and unity can triumph.”
“Companies must remember that grocery workers play an essential role by helping families put food on their tables,” Perrone added. “It is their hard work that keeps shelves stocked, groceries bagged, and customers coming back. Our union family is committed to supporting Whole Foods members as they begin to negotiate a contract that reflects their value and ensuring that grocery workers everywhere have the opportunity to achieve the better future they deserve.”
“We are incredibly proud of the Whole Foods workers who have stood up to Amazon’s union-busting tactics and demonstrated the strength of solidarity,” said UFCW Local 1776 President Wendell Young IV. “This fight is far from over, but today’s victory is an important step forward. We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers’ needs and priorities.”
“We, the workers of Whole Foods’ flagship store in Center City Philadelphia, made history by voting to unionize with UFCW Local 1776,” said the Whole Foods workers in a joint statement. “This victory is not just ours—it belongs to every worker who believes in the power of standing together for fair wages, better benefits, and a safer, more supportive workplace.”
“For months, we faced a relentless campaign of intimidation, misinformation, and anti-union tactics from Amazon and Whole Foods management. They underestimated our determination and unity. Despite their best efforts to silence us, we stood firm because we knew that organizing was the only way to ensure that our voices were truly heard. Whole Foods must now give us the raises that they claimed to withhold so as not to influence the election.”
“This win is a testament to the strength of solidarity. It proves that when workers come together, even against a billion-dollar corporation, we can achieve meaningful change. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we hope our success inspires workers at other Whole Foods locations and beyond to stand up for their rights. We are excited to begin the next chapter of this journey as we work with UFCW Local 1776 to negotiate our first contract. We know this is just the beginning, and we are committed to fighting for the dignity, respect, and fairness that all workers deserve. Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout this process—our families, our community, and the union that stood by us. Together, we are stronger.”