Posts Categorized: Retail

Fifty more Zara workers in New Jersey joined UFCW Local 888 for a better life on Feb. 9.

Some of the workers who work at the Zara store in the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, N.J., were transferred from other Zara stores represented by UFCW Local 888, and missed the benefits of having a union voice in the workplace. After talking with UFCW Local 888 representatives, these workers and their colleagues decided to stand together and join our union for the better wages, benefits, and health and safety protections that come with having a union contract. UFCW Local 888 represents hundreds of Zara workers in New Jersey.

“The Zara workers at American Dream made it clear to us that because of the challenges of COVID-19, they needed UFCW representation more than ever,” said UFCW Local 888 President Max Bruny. “While we are all preoccupied with beating the virus, these workers were also waging another battle that never ends: the fight for a voice at work. We are proud to welcome all of them to the UFCW family.” 

On Dec. 22, workers at a CVS Pharmacy store in Spring Valley, Calif., voted to join UFCW Local 135 for workplace protections during this pandemic, joining colleagues at 57 other CVS Pharmacy stores that are represented by the local. The vote was conducted online and tallied by a representative of the National Labor Relations Board.

These workers joined our union family because they were concerned about workplace safety conditions as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in California. These workers also want quarantine pay if they get sent home, free coronavirus testing, hazard pay, seniority, a grievance procedure, and other needed benefits. Now, they will have the opportunity to address these concerns at the bargaining table.

This worker victory at Spring Valley CVS Pharmacy comes on the heels of a blatant anti-union campaign initiated by the company. To disrupt the organizing drive at the Spring Valley store, CVS hired an anti-worker consulting firm, posted anti-union propaganda in the breakroom, interrogated employees, and frequently utilized intimidation tactics in the hopes of changing the minds of the majority of employees at that location that wanted to join our union. Although the company attempted to break the fledgling organizing drive early in the process, the workers ultimately prevailed.

“In the midst of this pandemic, workers see the value in belonging to a union,” said UFCW Local 135 President Todd Walters. “Today, the workers at CVS Pharmacy in Spring Valley have chosen to be represented by UFCW Local 135. This is a victory for these essential workers that are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic!”