Workers at a Whole Foods store in Pennsylvania voted on Monday to unionize, marking the first union to be formed within the organic grocery chain owned by Amazon.
A majority of employees at the flagship store in Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood chose to join a local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), a union that represents hundreds of thousands of grocery store employees nationwide. According to the union, 130 workers voted in favor of unionization, while 100 voted against it.
In a statement to CNN, the union’s local chapter described the vote as “a significant victory in their fight for fair wages, improved benefits, and a safer, more supportive workplace,” alleging that Amazon had engaged in anti-union tactics and intimidation leading up to the vote.
“This fight is far from over, but today’s victory is an important step forward,” said chapter President Wendell Young IV. “We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers’ needs and priorities.”
Whole Foods, in a statement, expressed its disappointment in the vote’s outcome but affirmed its commitment to fostering a positive work environment at the Philadelphia Center City store.
The company also stated that it “is proud to offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and career advancement opportunities to all Team Members.”
Amazon has consistently opposed unionization efforts across its various business divisions, particularly in its warehouses and among delivery drivers.
While some workers have successfully formed unions—such as those at a Staten Island warehouse—Amazon has yet to engage in contract negotiations. Delivery drivers in states including California, New York, and Georgia have also succeeded in unionizing.
Whole Foods Workers (Photo: Hannah Yoon)When Philadelphia workers initially filed their formal petition for a union vote in November, UFCW released a statement asserting that employees were fighting for better pay and working conditions at “one of the most profitable organic grocers in the world.”
The statement highlighted that some Philadelphia store employees had been with the company for decades but still “struggle to afford rent, healthcare, childcare, and other basic necessities.”
“I believe workers’ rights are definitely under threat and this is one way we can fight back,” said a Whole Foods worker named Leeya in an Instagram video shared by a group of employees at the Center City store.
Another worker, Ben, cited rising living costs as a primary concern. “We need improvement to our actual material conditions,” he said in the video, which was posted a day before the vote.
Several workers in the video alleged union-busting tactics by Whole Foods management, claiming the company had recently pushed anti-union messaging, adjusted store staffing, and attempted to boost morale without addressing employee concerns.
Earlier this month, the UFCW local chapter also filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing Whole Foods of violating U.S. labor laws by threatening, discriminating against, and surveilling pro-union employees.
Just days before the vote, three U.S. representatives from Pennsylvania sent a letter to Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. They expressed concern over reports that workers had faced “various forms of obstruction by … management as they exercise their legal right to attempt to unionize.”
The lawmakers called on Whole Foods to allow the vote to proceed without interference and to honor the results.
