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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.

On June 29, nearly 3,000 members of UFCW Local 663 who work at UNFI Cub Foods and Haug’s Cub Foods grocery stores in Minneapolis ratified a new contract.

The three-year contract includes higher wages for all employees, a significant investment into the workers’ pension plans, and increased hours for part-time workers.

Under the new contract, pension plans will be increased by employer contributions of 8.8 percent year over year. UNFI’s contributions are estimated to be over $30 million during the term of the agreement. This contract win will put retirement security on a better footing for thousands of workers and their families throughout the industry.

Full- and part-time workers won wage increases and improved wage scales. Over the term of the contract, full-time wages will increase 9.5 percent to 13 percent, with workers earning at least $3.15 an hour more at Haug’s and $3.00 an hour more at UNFI. All part-time workers will also receive wage increases, with the UNFI part-time wage scale going up to $22.35 by the end of the contract.

At UNFI, workers will also now have limitations on involuntary store transfers and improved scheduling protections. Part-time workers won a 33 percent increase in guaranteed minimum hours by the end of the contract. Where they had been working on skeleton crews previously due to severe cuts in hours, this increase in hours will improve financial stability for Cub Foods’ workforce and improve customer service.

“Members organized, fought for, and won a contract that raises standards for essential grocery workers,” said UFCW Local 663 President Rena Wong. “These workers had incredible support from customers and leaders like Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Senator Bernie Sanders. Together, we are ensuring good jobs for all Minnesotans.”