UNFI Warehouse Workers Celebrate First Union Contract with Major Pay Increase

Warehouse Teamsters at UNFI Win Significant First Contract

In a landmark decision, over 300 warehouse workers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) have ratified a five-year collective bargaining agreement, marking a significant achievement for labor representation within the grocery distribution industry. The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 79, will benefit from an impressive wage increase of up to $8 per hour, along with comprehensive health care coverage and access to the Teamsters Western Conference Pension Plan.

Brian A. Rothman, President of Local 79, celebrated the outcome, stating, "This is a major victory for our members at UNFI and sets the bar for warehouse and grocery industry jobs across our region. Workers at UNFI nationwide are organizing with the Teamsters because they see the results we're delivering. We are setting the standard."

The win at UNFI is part of a larger trend, as unionization efforts within the company have rapidly gained momentum in recent years. In the last year alone, more than 1,000 UNFI drivers and warehouse staff have voted to join the Teamsters. Since 2022, more than 2,500 workers have organized, leading to a current total of over 5,000 Teamster members at UNFI.

Charles Dowling, a proud warehouse worker and member of Local 79, expressed his sentiments about the contract: "This contract is exactly why we joined the Teamsters. We fought hard for the pay, benefits, and protections we deserve. Now we walk into work with our heads high, backed by the strength of a Teamsters contract."

The remarkable win in Sarasota is not an isolated event. Recently, newly organized UNFI drivers in states like Arizona, California, Oregon, and Utah also ratified a lucrative five-year agreement that emphasizes significant improvements in wages, pension contributions, health care benefits, and protections related to seniority. Furthermore, over 1,000 drivers and warehouse workers in Florida, Georgia, and Illinois secured notable raises and superior benefits, including participation in a defined benefit pension.

Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, highlighted the importance of these victories: "What Local 79 members have achieved at UNFI is part of a larger movement sweeping the country. From coast to coast, UNFI workers are standing up, joining the Teamsters, and winning the wages, benefits, and protections they have been denied for too long. This is how we raise standards across the industry, and we are just getting started."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has long been a champion for working individuals across various industries in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, representing 1.3 million hardworking people. The recent agreement at UNFI underscores the significance of collective bargaining and the relentless pursuit of fair labor standards.

As workers at UNFI celebrate this major milestone, they serve as an example for labor movements nationwide, demonstrating the power of unionization and the impact of collective action. For those interested in learning more, additional information can be found at Teamster.org, and they can follow the organization on Twitter @Teamsters and Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.