Philadelphia Whole Foods Workers Vote to Unionize

Philadelphia’s Whole Foods Market employees have voted to form the grocery chain’s first union. The vote, which took place on Monday, was close—130 in favor, 100 against. This move comes as Amazon, which owns Whole Foods, faces pushback from workers across different parts of its business. Workers at the Philadelphia store hope the union can help them negotiate better wages and benefits. The starting wage is currently $16 an hour, and some long-term employees have seen changes they don’t like since Amazon took over in 2017. Union organizers aim to inspire more stores to unionize, joining warehouse workers and delivery drivers who are already doing the same.Store employees shared that they want the union to help increase their wages and improve their benefits. Some workers, who have been with Whole Foods since before Amazon’s acquisition, have noticed reductions in benefits and cuts in staffing levels. These changes have added to their frustration. Union leaders hope this vote will spark a wave of organizing across the chain, adding to the ongoing efforts of warehouse workers and delivery drivers to unionize.