Posts Categorized: Organizing

Workers at the PetSmart store in East Hartford, Conn., voted to join UFCW Local 371 on April 11, becoming the first unit of PetSmart workers in the state to unionize.

The 36 workers, who are employed as store leads, groomers and bathers, and pet specialists, joined our union because they were concerned about insufficient pay and workplace safety, among other issues, and wanted a voice in the workplace. The campaign to organize these workers included biweekly Zoom meetings, which were attended by a majority of the workers; weekly one-on-one phone calls to workers; and events, including a bowling night, a meetup at a Dave & Buster’s restaurant, and a solidarity action at the store where UFCW members and other union members affiliated with AFL-CIO shopped with their dogs to show union support for the upcoming election.

These workers are happy to be a part of our union and looking forward to negotiating a first union contract that addresses workplace issues.

“We voted to join a union because we want our voices to be heard when it comes to our future at PetSmart,” said Pratima Singh, who is a PetsHotel associate lead. “We deserve to feel appreciated and secure in our jobs where we care for pets like they’re our own.”

“It takes great strength and dedication to stand up for what you believe is truly right, and I am honored to call myself a member of a group of people who did just that,” said Hilary Tennyson, who is a professional bather. “Together, we can finally advocate not only for the pay, workplace safety, and respect we as workers deserve, but also give a voice to the beloved pets in our care.”

“I wanted to start this union to truly have a say in how my job affects me and the pets I care about,” said Chris Boucher, a pet care specialist. “PetSmart has never seemed to listen to its workers or care about the issues we face. With a union, I look forward to our voices continuing to be heard so that we can improve our jobs and make PetSmart a place where we can enjoy what we do again.”

This organizing win marks the fourth unit of PetSmart workers to join the UFCW. Workers at the PetSmart store in Mishawaka, Ind., became the first PetSmart store in the county to unionize by joining UFCW Local 700 in October 2024. Workers at the PetSmart store in Midland, Texas, voted to join UFCW Local 540 this January, and workers at the PetSmart store in Royal Oak, Mich., voted to join UFCW Local 876 in March. You can learn more about the PetSmart campaign here.

Baristas and roastery workers at eight Highwire Coffee locations in the San Francisco Bay Area are now represented by UFCW Local 5 after their employer signed a voluntary recognition agreement on March 5.

The campaign began last August when the 36 workers contacted the union with concerns about wages, staffing levels, and safety issues at their cafes and the roastery. Nearly all the workers signed union authorization cards which ultimately led to the company’s willingness to bargain with UFCW Local 5 on their behalf.

The workers are excited to get to work developing contract proposals in anticipation of beginning the bargaining process in the coming weeks.

“In an industry where ‘high turnover is so the cultural norm,’ it can be challenging for workers to find sustainable solutions,” said Sydnie Conner, who is a barista and a member of the organizing committee. “If we want cafes to exist, we need workers who are treated well enough to maintain them.”