‘This Victory Is Historic’: Massachusetts Trader Joe’s Becomes First to Unionize

Workers at a Massachusetts Trader Joe’s on Thursday voted to become the first of the supermarket chain’s more than 500 locations to unionize, a historic development that comes amid a nationwide labor organizing wave.

Employees at Trader Joe’s in Hadley, a suburb of Springfield, voted 45-31 to form a union, according to the National Labor Relations Board.

Gabrielle, who works at the Hadley store, explained that she was voting for a union because “our crew needs to be represented by an entity that is solely dedicated to our best interests.”

Another Hadley crew member, Maeg, said she was voting “yes” because “we, the crew, are what keep this company running and profitable. It’s time for us to sit down at the negotiating table as equals with Trader Joe’s and create a contract that protects and takes care of us as workers.”

Labor unions and organizers hailed the Hadley vote, with Starbucks Workers United congratulating the store’s crew on its “incredible and groundbreaking victory.”

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was among the progressive politicians who saluted the newly unionized Trader Joe’s workers.

“Now is the time for management to recognize the union and to negotiate a fair contract with decent benefits and safe working conditions,” the two-time democratic socialist presidential candidate tweeted.

A Trader Joe’s spokesperson said the company is “prepared to immediately begin discussions with union representatives for the employees at this store to negotiate a contract.”

Other Trader Joe’s crews have taken notice of the Hadley vote, and workers from at least two other stores have already launched their own union drives. More Perfect Union has reported that Trader Joe’s is improving pay, perks, and working conditions in the face of the increased unionization activity.

Originally published at Commondreams.org.