Bellingham Community Food Co-op employees unionize, calling for better pay and respect
Employees of Bellingham’s Community Food Co-Op have voted to unionize, seeking better pay and treatment from management.
On Jan. 10 employees of the 315 Westerly Rd. co-op and the 1220 N. Forest St. co-op filed a petition through Teamsters Local Union 231 for a representation election with the National Labor Relations Board, according to previous reporting by The Bellingham Herald.
Employees at the downtown location then voted to unionize Wednesday, Jan. 31, followed by the Cordata location Thursday, Feb. 1.
“The ongoing organizing campaign has come to a successful conclusion, as approximately 170 workers employed by the Community Food Co-Op at the Downtown and Cordata stores have overwhelmingly voted in favor of Union Representation with Teamsters Local 231,” Teamsters Local 231 secretary-treasurer Rich Ewing wrote in the news release. “The voices of these workers have finally been heard loud and clear! Absent any objection filings, the results will be certified by the Nation Labor Relations Board in the coming days.”
Employees decided to unionize in hopes to receive a living wage, consistent working hours and schedules, increased employee retention and respect in the workplace, according to the news release.
“These brave workers will now have a seat at the negotiating table to fight for improvements in their workplace and will be able to go to work with their head held high, confidently working to better serve the Co-Op community,” Ewing wrote.
“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,”Amy Drury, the marketing and outreach director at the co-op wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald on Jan. 29 before the vote was completed.
This story was originally published February 2, 2024 at 6:10 PM.
