Teamsters Secure Major Pay and Benefit Boost for UNFI Warehouse Workers

The Facts -

Significant Gains for Lancaster Warehouse Workers Under New Teamsters Contract

In a landmark decision, 300 warehouse workers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) in Lancaster, Texas, have successfully ratified their inaugural contract under Teamsters Local 745. This new agreement secures a substantial 23 percent wage increase, Teamsters health care, and a defined benefit pension plan, strengthening job security for the employees.

“This contract is going to change our lives for years to come,” expressed Laqurria Marshall, a warehouse worker and proud Teamster. “We organized because we wanted better wages, affordable health care, and real retirement security. By standing together as Teamsters, we secured all of that and more.”

The effort to unionize at UNFI’s Lancaster distribution center was set in motion when workers voted to join the Teamsters last December. This followed an earlier success with drivers at the same facility opting for union representation. With the recent approval of this contract, the Lancaster location now operates entirely under Teamsters representation.

Brent Taylor, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 745 and Teamsters Southern Region International Vice President, highlighted the unity shown by the workers. “Our members at UNFI fought hard and stayed united from Day One. This agreement proves what workers can accomplish when they fight together as Teamsters. We promised these workers we would fight to win the wages, benefits, and protections that they deserved, and that is exactly what we delivered.”

UNFI operates as the primary distributor for Whole Foods, owned by Amazon. Since the beginning of 2022, the Teamsters have organized more than 3,500 UNFI employees, increasing their nationwide membership to over 5,500. The trend of winning robust first contracts continues to elevate employment standards at UNFI facilities across the nation.

Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, stated, “We are continuing to win strong contracts at UNFI and across the entire food distribution industry. This victory in Texas is another example of the power workers have as members of our union.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, established in 1903, represents 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For additional information, visit Teamster.org. Stay updated by following Teamsters on X at @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

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