After a successful union election on the night of Monday, January 27, Whole Foods workers in Philadelphia are on track to organize the first ever union at the Amazon-owned supermarket chain. Whole Foods workers at a grocery store location in the heart of Pennsylvania’s most populous city voted in favor of forming a union with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776, with 130 voting for unionizing and 100 voting against. These workers could form the first unionized Whole Foods location in the United States, if and when the National Labor Relations Board certifies the election results. Some worry about this process given the newly-sworn in President Donald Trump’s control of the Board.
“No one should have to beg for fair compensation and better working conditions while working for one of the most profitable organic grocers in the world,” read a statement issued by Philadelphia Whole Foods workers from November, when they filed to unionize with Local 1776. “No matter how long we’ve been with the company, we should all be recognized and compensated fairly for our work,” said the Philadelphia workers. “Lifting, stocking shelves, and bending repetitively, all while standing for hours, is physically demanding. The speed with which we are pushed to work increases every day. It is becoming impossible to balance our health, our safety, and our desire to satisfy and delight our customers with the company’s thirst for profits.”
“This fight is far from over, but today’s victory is an important step forward,” said Wendell Young IV, the president of UFCW Local 1776, following the successful vote by Whole Foods workers to join the local. “We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers’ needs and priorities.”
The company responded, stating that “we are disappointed by the outcome of this election, but we are committed to maintaining a positive working environment in our Philly Center City store.”
Whole Foods Market was sold to multi-billion dollar corporate giant Amazon in 2017. Amazon reported a record profit of USD 15.3 million in October of last year, surpassing Wall Street’s expectations. But despite Whole Foods’ parent company making more money than ever before, the base wage at the Center City location is USD 16 per hour, while the living wage for someone living without dependents in Philadelphia is USD 22 per hour. Workers are demanding higher wages and better working conditions, which workers report have deteriorated at the supermarket chain following the acquisition by Amazon.
In December of last year, Amazon workers across the country launched a wave of strikes against the company during peak holiday shopping season, demanding union recognition. Seeking to unionize with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Amazon delivery drivers ended the strike wave by solidifying 25 units at Amazon composed of 10,000 workers in total.