This year, workers from around the country in a variety of industries made history by joining our union family for a better life.
In January, over 300 grocery workers at two Meijer stores in Lake Orion and Macomb Township, Mich., joined UFCW 951 for the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract.
“Having a union at the new Meijer stores means that everyone comes together as a whole to support one another and work as a team,” said Jenny Hayton, who works at the deli at the Meijer store in Macomb Township. “We all play a role by signing up for the union to be recognized and joining together to advance common interests like wages, benefits, and scheduling rights.”
In September, workers at the Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets store in Louisville, Ky., joined UFCW Local 227 for a union voice in the workplace.
“We are so excited about our win and to have the UCFW represent Rainbow Blossom Gardiner Lane! We love Rainbow, our customers, and our products, and we want to be able to make livelihoods here,” said Eleri Steele, who is a wellness department manager. “Unfortunately, the current wages and management practices are unsustainable for us workers. We put so much love and energy into our positions and still don’t earn enough to put food on the table, let alone the expensive organic food we sell. We have tried for years to get management to hear us, but our concerns have been falling on deaf ears for too long. We’re so grateful to the UCFW for helping us get to this point and can’t wait to see our siblings at our other four locations win their own campaigns.”
Workers at the Dragonfly Wellness cannabis dispensary in Salt Lake City, Utah, also joined our union family in September and became the first cannabis workers in the state to form a union by joining UFCW Local 99.
“Today, my co-workers and I voted to stand together and secure our collective futures by joining the UFCW Local 99 family,” said Kimberly Mason, a Dragonfly Wellness worker who was part of the organizing process. “We look forward to our next fight for a union contract that actually reflects the hard work and value we bring to the job every day. We formed this union to ensure workers get the wages, benefits, and respect on the job that we deserve.”
In November, workers at five Vertical Endeavors climbing gyms voted to join UFCW Locals 663 and 1189, becoming the first climbing gym unit to organize with the UFCW in Minnesota.
“We unionized because we want better pay and health care, and a voice in the decisions that are going to affect employees and customers,” said Hailey Jarmon (she/they), who is a team coach/counter rush at Vertical Endeavors in Bloomington. “I hope that more rock climbing gyms unionize so standards are raised for how employees are treated. We deserve it.”
Here are the organizing victories that appeared in OnPoint this year:
Vertical Endeavors Workers in Minnesota Join Locals 663 and 1189
Barnes & Noble Workers in California Join Local 5
Conagra Maintenance Workers in Indiana Join Local 700
Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets Workers in Kentucky Join Local 227
PSSI Workers in Kansas Join Local 2
More Cannabis Workers in Maryland Join Local 400
Half Price Books Workers in Ohio Join Local 1059
Sodexo Workers in Iowa Join Local 431
Laurel City Department of Public Works Employees in Maryland Join Local 1994 MCGEO
More Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Join Local 152
Lush Cosmetics Workers in Texas Make History by Joining Local 455
More Cannabis Workers in Nevada Join Local 711
More Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Workers in New York Join Local 2D
Cannabis Workers in Nevada Join Local 711 for a Better Life
Cannabis Workers in Massachusetts Join Local 1459
Home Chef Workers in Illinois Join Local 1546
Cannabis Workers in Utah Make History by Joining Local 99
School Bus Drivers in Manitoba Join UFCW Canada
Zara Workers in Rhode Island Join Local 328
New Jersey Truck Drivers Join Local 152
Massage Therapists in Florida Join Local 1625
Cannabis Workers in Nevada Join Local 711
Poultry Workers in California Join Local 8GS
GrowNYC Workers in New York Join RWDSU
Grocery Workers in Toronto Join UFCW Canada
Cannabis Workers in Connecticut Continue to Join Local 919
Cannabis Workers in Pennsylvania Join Local 1776KS
PSSI Workers in Texas Join Local 540
Fred Meyer Workers in Washington Stand Together for a Better Life
More Cannabis Workers in Connecticut Join Local 919
New Jersey Fire Commission Workers Join Local 152
More Cannabis Workers in Maryland Join Local 27
Cannabis Workers in Massachusetts Join Local 1445
Cannabis Workers in Maryland Join Local 27
More Barnes & Noble Workers in New York Join RWDSU/UFCW
Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Continue to Join Local 360
Cannabis Delivery Workers in California Continue to Join Local 770
Barnes & Noble Workers in Massachusetts Join Local 1459
REI Workers in Minnesota Join Local 663
Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Join Local 360
Barnes & Noble Workers in New York Join RWDSU/UFCW
Giant Eagle Workers in Pennsylvania Join Local 1776KS
REI Workers in Massachusetts Join Local 1445
Bob’s Discount Furniture Workers in Michigan Join Local 876
Cannabis Workers in Connecticut Make History by Joining Local 919
Co-op Workers in Kentucky Join Local 227
Lush Cosmetics Workers in Kentucky Make History by Joining Local 227
Century 21 Workers in New York Join Local 888
Bob’s Discount Furniture Workers in New York Join Local 888
Cannabis Workers in Minnesota Join Local 1189
Solid State Books Workers in DC Join Local 400
Cannabis Workers in Massachusetts Join Local 1445
Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Join Local 152
More Bob’s Discount Furniture Workers Join Local 328
La Colombe Coffee Roasters Workers in Chicago Stand Together for a Better Life
Cannabis Delivery Workers in California Join Local 770
More Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Join Local 360
REI Workers in Ohio Join RWDSU/UFCW
Keurig Dr Pepper Workers in West Virginia Join Local 400
Coffee Shop Workers in New York Join Local 1500
More Meijer Grocery Workers in Michigan Join Local 951
Cannabis Workers in New Jersey Join Local 360
Farmers Markets Workers in the DMV Area Join Local 400
Transportation Workers in Massachusetts Join Local 1459
Gourmet Garage Grocery Workers in New York City Join Local 1500
Cannabis Workers in Maryland Join Local 400
Half Price Books Workers in Kansas Join Local 2
Cannabis Workers in Massachusetts Join Local 328
MOM’s Organic Market Workers in Maryland Join Local 400
La Colombe Coffee Roasters Workers in DC Make History by Joining Local 400
Daily’s Premium Meats Workers in Missouri Stand Together for a Better Life
Savoy Bookshop & Cafe Workers in Rhode Island Join Local 328