?The unionization movement has spread to Trader Joe’s, where a second store recently formed a union. Union organizers are hoping the movement takes off at other company stores. We’ve gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.
How Popular Will Unionization Become?
A Trader Joe’s in Minneapolis became the second unionized location in the U.S. on Aug. 12, following a Massachusetts location organizing in July. An organizing drive is forming at a Trader Joe’s in Boulder, Colo. Some wonder whether the unionization efforts will become as widespread as they have at Starbucks.
(Vox)
Reasons for Organizing
Organizers at the Massachusetts store cited a host of reasons to unionize, including health care and retirement benefits that had become less generous, and health and safety issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Management informed workers earlier this year that the 401(k) contribution would be halved for employees who had worked for the company less than 10 years.
(The New York Times) and (HuffPost)
NYC Store Abruptly Closes
A Trader Joe’s wine store in New York City reportedly abruptly closed Aug. 11 following monthslong unionization efforts. The United Food and Commercial Workers said it was ready to file unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board. Trader Joe’s did not respond to inquiries about the closure.
(HuffPost)
Trader Joe’s Statement
In a statement referring to the Minneapolis vote, Trader Joe’s spokeswoman Nakia Rohde said, “While we are concerned about how this new rigid legal relationship will impact Trader Joe’s culture, we are prepared to immediately begin discussions with their collective bargaining representative to negotiate a contract.”
Unionization at Starbucks Challenged
More than 200 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize since December 2021. Starbucks maintained that National Labor Relations Board employees secretly coordinated with union organizers near Kansas City, Mo., and asked the agency to stop mail-in votes across the county until there has been a full investigation.
(SHRM Online) and (NPR)
New Unions Spring Up
Employees have voted this year for first-ever unions at an Amazon warehouse, an Apple store, a Google Fiber contractor, Kickstarter and REI. About two-thirds of Americans say they support unions. Nonetheless, union participation remains low, near 10.3 percent of the workforce in 2021, down from 20 percent in 1983, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At its height in 1954, union membership was near 35 percent.
(CNBC)
Amazon Questions Legitimacy of Unionization Vote
Earlier this year, Amazon narrowly led in a revote of a union drive at a Bessemer, Ala., warehouse, but contested ballots remain. Nonetheless, Amazon workers voted to unionize a Staten Island, N.Y., warehouse on April 1. Amazon is contesting the election.
(SHRM Online) and (SHRM Online)
