Waves of UNFI workers continue to join unions

Close to 100 drivers for United Natural Foods, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia, have joined Teamsters Local 728.

The move was approved by 95% of the voters and ends a month-long effort by UNFI workers to unionize.

Over one thousand UNFI workers have joined a union over the last year or so, including a group of more than 150 employees at Tony’s Fine Foods in California, which is owned by UNFI, back in January.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 4,000 UNFI workers and is claiming the company says the National Labor Relations Board should not have conducted the election in Georgia because it outsourced drivers to an anti-union carrier.

Stephen Oloyde, a 22-year-old driver at UNFI, said the outsourcing, along with improved wages, better benefits, a pension, and job security, are the reasons why he voted to join Teamsters Local 728.

“This resonant victory is just the latest example of UNFI workers joining together to take control of their workplace. Our momentum keeps growing, and each win is a resounding declaration to corporations everywhere: Workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or exploited,” said Tom Erickson, director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “We will not allow this company to take its workers for granted. If UNFI wants to continue committing serious unfair labor practices, they will embolden and mobilize more workers to join our fight. And we will continue to win.”

“UNFI maintains productive relationships with local union organizations that represent our valued associates,” UNFI said in an emailed statement to Supermarket News. “UNFI offers competitive pay and benefits and safe working conditions to all of our associates. Where our associates are represented, we bargain with our union partners in good faith to reach agreements that are fair to both sides, including wages and terms and conditions of employment and the operating flexibility our company needs to efficiently deliver our products and services to our customers.”