Philadelphia Whole Foods workers form first successful union

Home
»
Stories
»
2025
»
January

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Qatar Airways In Talks To Buy 20% Of Virgin Australia - Airline Ratings

Boeing Will Buy Spirit AeroSystems For $4.7 Billion In Stock & Airbus Enters $559 Million Agreement For Its Parts

Bombardier Global Jet Production Stops in Toronto as Union Workers Strike | AIN

Justice Department To Offer Boeing a Plea Deal Related to Max Crashes

Plane diverted to Brazil after turbulence injures 30

Global Industry News

Philadelphia Whole Foods workers form first successful union

Alke Boessiger Deputy General Secretary | UNI Global Union

By Sky Industry News

Jan 31, 2025

Whole Foods workers in Philadelphia have successfully formed a union with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 1776. This marks the first successful labor drive at the Amazon-owned grocery chain.

Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, commented on this development: “Whole Foods workers have overcome Amazon’s aggressive union-busting to secure a voice on the job. This victory is inspiring, not just for Whole Food workers in the U.S., but Amazon workers worldwide. It shows that not even the most powerful companies in the world can stop workers from organizing and demand the fair treatment they deserve.”

The majority of employees at the Philadelphia store voted in favor of joining UFCW during an election conducted by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The vote occurred despite Amazon's opposition to unions across its various business sectors.

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

“This fight is far from over, but today’s victory is an important step forward,” said Wendell Young IV, president of UFCW Local 1776. “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 unionization effort began early last year with demands including higher wages, affordable healthcare, childcare support, better work-life balance, and improved working conditions.

Marc Perrone, president of UFCW International, celebrated this achievement: “Today, we celebrate an incredible victory for the workers at Whole Foods in Philadelphia who have stood together to secure the union representation they deserve. This win sends a powerful message to workers everywhere that when we stand together, we can take on even the largest corporations and win.”

In response to these developments, UFCW Local 1776 has filed charges with NLRB against Whole Foods. The charges allege withholding wage increases from Philadelphia store employees due to their union efforts and retaliating against pro-union staff.