Teamsters at UNFI Demand Fair Contracts, Warn of Possible Disruptions

UNFI Employees Rally for Fair Contracts Amid Ongoing Negotiation Stalemate

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Contact for Press Inquiries: Colin McCullough

Phone: (856) 625-6856

Email: cmccullough@teamster.org

(WASHINGTON) – In a bold move, Teamsters at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) organized practice pickets across various states including Florida, Georgia, and Illinois. Their demand is simple: fair contracts recognizing their critical contributions to the company's achievements.

"UNFI Teamsters have waited long enough for the contracts they deserve," stated Tom Erickson, the Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. He continued, "This company is playing games with workers' livelihoods, and Teamsters won't stand for it. If UNFI thinks it can keep stalling, it's in for a rude awakening. Our members are united, they're fed up, and they're ready to do whatever it takes to win what they deserve."

The union has seen significant growth, with over 1,000 UNFI drivers and warehouse workers joining the Teamsters in the past year. Since 2022, the total number of UNFI employees joining the union has surpassed 2,500, making the Teamsters membership at UNFI more than 5,000 strong. Despite this, the company has been accused of delaying negotiations and not engaging in fair bargaining.

"We organized with the Teamsters to win the fair pay, benefits, and respect we deserve, but UNFI keeps dragging its feet," said Brad Duncan, a warehouse worker from Local 26 in Urbana, Illinois. "We are fed up. It's time for management to get serious and bring a real offer to the table, or we'll do whatever it takes to win."

Serving as the main distributor for Whole Foods in the U.S., UNFI could face significant operational disruptions if contract discussions continue to lag. Over 1,250 workers nationwide are ready to intensify their efforts should the company not respond adequately.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hard-working individuals in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For further details, visit Teamster.org. Follow their updates on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.