Bellingham Community Food Co-Op’s 170 employees consider unionizing; voting this week
Bellingham’s Community Food Co-Op is facing a possible employee union, as 170 employees across the two grocery stores will vote on whether to unionize this week.
The employees of the 315 Westerly Rd. co-op and the 1220 N. Forest St. co-op filed a petition for a representation election on Jan. 10, according to the National Labor Relations Board. Letters were then sent to the co-op administration from the NLRB and The Teamsters union.
The election was approved for both locations and was published Jan. 19. Employees may file for a representation election after at least 30% of workers in the potential bargaining unit sign the petition, according to the NLRB.
The union includes all employees working in each retail location, both part-time and full-time, but excludes all managers, supervisors, administrative roles and bakery employees at the 405 E. Holly St. custom bakery, according to Amy Drury, the marketing and outreach director at the co-op.
“The Co-op supports the rights of employees to organize. Should a majority of voters vote in favor of union representation, we will make a good faith effort to reach a collective bargaining agreement,” Drury wrote.
The vote to unionize will take place Wednesday, Jan. 31 for the Forest Street store, and Thursday, Feb. 1 for the Westerly Road location.
The Bellingham Herald contacted The Teamsters organization and Food Co-op employees but did not receive a response.
Editor’s note (Jan. 30): A previous version of this article included an error regarding the nature of the employees’ voting, which will determine whether the staff unionizes.
This story was originally published January 29, 2024 at 3:15 PM.
