Hello Whole Foods Co-op Owners,

I am writing to you today to provide context about ongoing labor negotiations between UFCW 1189 and Whole Foods Co-op, our two-store consumer-owned cooperative with 140+ employees and 14,500+ Owners. While I have not felt the need to communicate with you about Union matters or labor negotiations in the past, I feel it’s important that you have some information about ongoing negotiations at the Co-op.

Since our employees voted to unionize in 2017, we have worked hard to develop and maintain a respectful and collaborative partnership with UFCW 1189. Staff are integral to our cooperative and we feel strongly that unionization has made the Co-op a stronger and better employer. 

Together, the Co-op and UFCW 1189 have successfully negotiated three labor contracts, most recently the three-year contract covering April 2023 through April 2026. Ahead of negotiations, the Co-op and the Union agreed to extend the current contract until a new contract was in place. 

Throughout the spring, we participated in five negotiation sessions. The Union bargaining committee was comprised of six current and former employees elected by the Co-op’s bargaining unit; they were joined at the bargaining table by several Union representatives. Management was represented by three members of the leadership team and our labor attorney at the bargaining table, with additional support provided by an administrative staff and two other leadership team members.

Negotiations covered many non-economic and economic aspects of the contract. The sessions were professional, productive, and positive throughout.

At the end of the fifth negotiation session, the Union and management reached a Tentative Agreement (TA). The Union bargaining committee agreed to recommend the TA to the bargaining unit. In June, members of the bargaining unit voted to reject the TA.

The Union and management agreed to return to the bargaining table, this time with the support of a federal mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. In August, a new TA was reached. Earlier this month, members of the bargaining unit voted to reject the second TA.

While we are in uncharted territory for the Co-op, we are not at an impasse. We are working with the Union and the federal mediator to schedule another negotiation session. When we get back to the table, management will continue to bargain in good faith.

The Co-op remains committed to reaching an agreement that will be ratified by the bargaining unit. Employees are foundational to our cooperative, and positive labor relations remains a top priority. 

We appreciate your continued support of the Co-op as we work to reach agreement on a contract that all parties find mutually beneficial.

In cooperation,
Sarah Hannigan
Whole Foods Co-op General Manager