Introduction to the Union Voting Process
Workers at Tony’s Fresh Market started voting Tuesday on whether to unionize, as they demand better pay, health insurance and workplace conditions. More than 2,000 workers at 21 Tony’s stores in Chicago and the suburbs can vote until Thursday to join Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers. Results are expected on Friday.
Background on the Unionization Efforts
Workers at Tony’s filed petitions in February to be represented by Local 881 UFCW, which represents 34,000 employees in retail, food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, including at Jewel-Osco, Kroger and Mariano’s. The proposed bargaining unit could include about 2,400 Tony’s employees. Full- and part-time clerks, assistant managers and department managers are eligible.
Allegations of Anti-Union Tactics
Local 881 cited anti-union tactics from management and harassment of workers as they organized. Workers are “being pulled into one-on-one meetings, being questioned if they are working with the union and being unlawfully told not to vote in the upcoming election,” Local 881 said in a news release last week. It added that Tony’s spread a false rumor that the union would request immigration status documents from workers. Local 881 “will never ask for any documentation or information regarding immigration status,” according to its website.
Disturbing Management Practices
The union also highlighted “disturbing management practices, including denial of bereavement leaves, use of fear and intimidation to control workers and bosses playing favorites to determine raises or terminations.” Managers from Heritage Grocers, Tony’s parent company based in California, have come to Chicago to talk to workers and dissuade them from voting, said Teresa Ramirez-Gonzalez, director of organizing for Local 881.
Response from Tony’s Fresh Market
A Tony’s spokesperson said in an emailed statement on Tuesday: “Tony’s Fresh Market values its team members and respects their right to consider union representation, and any claims suggesting otherwise are false. We take great pride in fostering a supportive environment where our team members can thrive, with competitive wages, strong benefits packages, and direct and open communication at the core of our efforts.”
Personal Stories of Workers
Ofelia López-Salazar worked at Tony’s for five years and was most recently a clerk in the meat department at the Bridgeview store. But the mother of two was fired on Feb. 27; management did not give a reason. López-Salazar claimed she was terminated for her role as part of the workers’ organizing committee.
Former Tony’s worker Ofelia López-Salazar with her children at a rally for workers last week.
Complaints Filed with the National Labor Relations Board
This month, Local 881 filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board claiming retaliation and firings of Tony’s workers for their union activism. López-Salazar said there were “a lot of injustices” at Tony’s, including overwork, low wages and poor treatment. Many employees stay quiet because they’re afraid of retaliation, she said. “Human resources doesn’t do anything to help,” she said.
Response to the Allegations
“No employees have been fired due to their unionization efforts,” a Tony’s spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “Tony’s Fresh Market complies with all applicable labor laws and regulations across its stores, and our leadership and store managers undergo regular training to ensure compliance.”
The History of Tony’s Fresh Market
In 2022, New York private equity firm Apollo Global Management bought Tony’s. The firm also has a stake in Albertsons, whose properties include Jewel-Osco. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Tony’s is the largest independent grocery chain in Chicago by volume, according to its website. It was founded in 1979 by Italian immigrants Tony Ingraffia and Domenico Gambino, and it was the city’s first family-owned grocery chain, says the company’s website.
Workers’ Demands for Better Working Conditions
Maria Molina has worked at Tony’s for nine years and currently works in the floral department at the Mount Prospect store. Molina said after Apollo took over Tony’s, her hours were cut, as well as her time off, including paid holidays and personal days. The health insurance offered by Tony’s is unaffordable, so the majority of its workers don’t have it, she said. Molina has health insurance through her husband, who does not work at Tony’s. She added that co-founder Ingraffia asked her in person why she wanted to unionize.
Conclusion
The union voting process at Tony’s Fresh Market is a significant step towards improving the working conditions and benefits for the employees. The outcome of the vote will determine the future of the workers and the company. It is essential for the workers to have a voice in the decision-making process and to be treated with respect and fairness.
FAQs
Q: What is the main reason for the union voting process at Tony’s Fresh Market?
A: The main reason is to improve the working conditions, pay, and benefits for the employees.
Q: How many workers are eligible to vote in the union election?
A: More than 2,000 workers at 21 Tony’s stores in Chicago and the suburbs are eligible to vote.
Q: What is the proposed bargaining unit for the union?
A: The proposed bargaining unit could include about 2,400 Tony’s employees, including full- and part-time clerks, assistant managers, and department managers.
Q: What are some of the allegations made against Tony’s Fresh Market management?
A: The allegations include anti-union tactics, harassment of workers, and disturbing management practices, such as denial of bereavement leaves and use of fear and intimidation to control workers.
<img class="Image" alt="Tony’s Fresh Market workers and their supporters held rally in Berwyn on March 18, demanding better pay and worker protections." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa08cae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/703×503+0+0/resize/840×601!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff3%2F29%2Fbf4545fa45f5bbcf658117898c57%2Ftonysvote-1.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/091df3d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/703×503+0+0/resize/1680×1202!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff3%2F29%2Fbf4545fa45f5bbcf658117898c57%2Ftonysvote-1.png 2x" width="840" height="601" src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa08cae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/703×503+0+0/resize/840×601!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff3%2F29%2Fbf4545fa45
