Posts Categorized: Organizing

On June 17, workers at the CVS store in Hamilton, Ohio, joined UFCW Local 75.

The 10 workers, who are employed as pharmacy technicians, pharmacy leads, front end store clerks and shift supervisors, joined our union because they wanted a pension plan, affordable health care, job security, holiday pay for part-timers, and a voice in the workplace.

The campaign to organize these workers included talking with the workers about the difference between union and non-union stores and the benefits that come with a union contract. UFCW Local 75 organizers also engaged workers through regular committee meetings and a “March on the Boss.” The organizers also used reflective engagement to connect with the workers and listened to their issues of concern.

“I am happy to be a part of Local 75 as an employee of CVS,” said Kimberly Thompson, who works at the CVS store in Hamilton. “My main reasons for joining a union were for the affordable health care, insurance, and employer-paid pension.”

In addition to the new CVS unit in Hamilton, UFCW Local 75 also represents CVS workers in Cincinnati, as well as in Kentucky and Indiana.

On June 11, workers at the Glenwood Life Counseling Center in Baltimore joined UFCW Local 27. Glenwood Life Counseling Center is a medication-assisted, substance use disorder treatment facility that provides therapy, education, medication, case management and recovery services and the workers are employed as administrative assistants, coordinators, counselors, receptionists, and nurses.

The workers joined our union because they were concerned about wages and health care benefits and wanted a united voice in the workplace. UFCW Local 27 organizers first met with the organizing committee at Glenwood Life Counseling Center at the beginning of March. After a majority of the workers signed union cards, the employer agreed to voluntary recognition of the union and negotiations on a first union contract are scheduled to take place within 60 days.

“Counselors, nurses and support personnel at the Glenwood Life Counseling Center have chosen Local 27 to address staff turnover and a loss of real wages which have not kept up with inflation,” said Margaret Baldridge, who works at Glenwood Life Counseling Center and is a member of the organizing committee. “We look forward to working with management to secure a union contract which will benefit employees and improve patient care.”

“We’re ready to get to the bargaining table and fight for a strong union contract—one that delivers real results for the workers and sets the organization up for long-term success,” said UFCW Local 27 President Jason Chorpenning.