UFCW Seeks to Unionize Martin's

SN STAFF

RICHMOND, Va. — Local 400 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has indicated an interest in organizing employees of Martin's Food Markets, the Ahold division that was formerly Ukrop's Super Markets, according to local reports.

The union went public with its intentions Tuesday by sponsoring a vigil to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the sale of Ukrop's to Ahold. Ukrop's was also a non-union operation.

Speaking on behalf of the UFCW, a local minister said the union wants the opportunity to speak with Martin's employees, "and allow the breadwinners to organize and to vote," according to a report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Christopher Bond, a Martin's spokesman, was quoted as saying, "It's unfortunate union activities are disrupting the shopping experience for customers. Martin's is a union-free chain committed to providing the best working environment for our associates — one that allows us to communicate directly without the interference of an outside third party."