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As May comes to an end, the union movement at UNFI doesn’t stop

The latest move comes in Harrisburg, Pa.; in May, over 200 UNFI workers, most of them truck drivers, have opted to join unions

Bill Wilson, Senior editor at Supermarket News

May 29, 2024

1 Min Read
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Some 75 truckers out of Harrisburg, Pa., voted unanimously on Tuesday to join Teamsters Local 776.UNFI

A group of United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) truck drivers have opted to unionize — a trend among UNFI truck workers since the start of the year.

Some 75 truckers out of Harrisburg, Pa., voted unanimously on Tuesday to join Teamsters Local 776.

During the month of May, more than 200 UNFI workers, most of them truck drivers, have joined unions, including employees in Pompano Beach, Fla., and Sarasota, Fla. Earlier this year workers in Georgia also unionized.

The Harrisburg workers filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board when UNFI attempted to outsource their jobs to nonunion company J.B. Hunt.

“Organizing to become Teamsters helped bring us together for a greater cause,” said Carlos Lugaro, a UNFI driver in Harrisburg. “I am proud that we held together in the face of turmoil and discomfort of an unknown future. We can now move forward with the confidence of knowing we are not alone.”

The Harrisburg group has said it wants improved wages, healthcare and retirement benefits, job security, and better working conditions.

“Drivers in Harrisburg showed courage and put it all on the line to secure this crucial victory,” said Tom Erickson, director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “This victory in Harrisburg is just another example of workers’ resolve to take control of their future.”

Related:UNFI launches retail media network

 

About the Author

Bill Wilson

Senior editor at Supermarket News

Bill Wilson is the senior editor at Supermarket News, covering all things grocery and retail. He has been a journalist in the B2B industry for 25 years. He has received two Robert F. Boger awards for his work as a journalist in the infrastructure industry and has over 25 editorial awards total in his career. He graduated cum laude from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a major in broadcast communications.

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