An Open Letter to the Members of the East End Food Co-op

Fellow Members:

I am writing this to attempt to answer some of the questions that Co-op members have asked me and other staff members since we voted to form a union on September 14.

We are all aware of the important position the East End Food Co-op occupies in the community: as a long-time grocery store in an under-served city neighborhood, as an alternative business model, and as a champion of natural, local, and organic food. I, like most of the workers at the Co-op are proud of the work they do and we care about the future of the store. But cooperatives, as admirable as they are, are not immune from unjust labor practices. And so I, along with 46 other staff members (an overwhelming majority) voted to form local 667 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America

Primarily there are three reasons why we took this action: First, to obtain fair wages. In spite of what is claimed on the Co-op website, the current Co-op wage structure does not provide a living wage at every level of our organization, as defined by the Livable Wage models widely available on-line. In spite of huge increases in sales in recent years employees do not share in the Co-op’s economic success. Full-time workers do get health insurance but this year must pay a much higher percentage of the cost. Secondly, workers feel that they need protection against unfair and unjust discipline that can include warnings to suspensions to firings. We want the Co-op to be held to a “just cause” standard in any disciplinary action. And third, workers want more of a say in setting policy and making decisions.

Basically we want the Co-op to be accountable to its own mission and ideals: fair pay for food workers, workplace democracy, a share of profits for workers. It is our hope that all of members of the Co-op will support our efforts.

We have just begun the process of electing officers and forming committees. In the meantime, if you have any questions you can email me at: davidhereth@aol.com

Respectfully,

Dave Hereth

Local 667

United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America

This author is a staff member of the East End Food Co-op and a founding member of Local 667, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America.

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