Workers at Philadelphia’s Center City Whole Foods Market made history on January 29, 2025, when they voted 130-100 to be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. This marks the first time ever an Amazon-owned Whole Foods store has voted to unionize, and it stands as one of the first major union elections of the current Trump presidency.
The organizing efforts at this location, which workers say had been underway for over a year, gained public attention last November. Workers cited several grievances, predominantly the push for increased pay. At the heart of the conversation is the $16 per hour base wage at the Center City store, which starkly contrasts the MIT Living Wage Calculator's estimate of over $22 per hour necessary for a single person to live comfortably in Philadelphia. The stark difference has forced many employees, like Khy Adams, to juggle multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Adams, 32, works 50 hours weekly as both a culinary instructor and at Whole Foods, where she makes $16.50 per hour.
Veney, another employee, has labored for three years observing troubling working conditions. “Lifting heavy boxes” is all too common, and he shared his experience of retaliation after taking what he believed was a necessary break. After indicating interest in organizing, he recalls losing shifts and support from already strained management. He, along with four other workers, took the initiative to form the union.
Despite their brave efforts, the road to unionization was anything but smooth. Adams noted how the atmosphere quickly changed when rumors about their unionization started to spread. Just weeks after going public, management initiated tactics branded as anti-union propaganda, which included alarming flyers reading, “Stay Whole, Vote No.”
UFCW Local 1776 filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), stating at least one employee faced wrongful dismissal linked to union activities. Workers alleged they were told they wouldn’t receive wage increases due to their union activities, which Amazon's representatives continue to contest.
Stranger still, workers like Adams observed unfamiliar faces roaming the store days leading up to the election. Dressed in “Culture Champion” gear, these outsiders, purportedly sent from as far away as Texas, New York, California, came to influence opinions against unionizing. Adams found their presence disconcerting as they offered support but vanished when assigned tasks—a stark reminder of staffing challenges at the store.
When the moment arrived to tally the votes, Adams felt disbelief wash over her. “The propaganda machine wanted us to believe we were isolated,” she stated, reflecting on her thoughts as results emerged positively for the union representation.
Following the vote, Whole Foods expressed disappointment yet reiterated their commitment to improving the work environment. “We are disappointed by the outcome of this election, but we are committed to maintaining a positive working environment,” said the company’s spokesperson.
Now, with representation established, the real test begins for the unionized workers. Past experiences show Amazon’s reluctance to embrace union negotiations. Reports of refusal to negotiate with third-party drivers and resistance during similar Staten Island union efforts raise red flags among workers.
Newly unionized employees at Whole Foods are aware they must remain vigilant. They face not only the legal hurdles of securing their votes but also higher stakes, as political winds shift following the recent firing of NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo—a notable critic of Amazon’s anti-union tactics.
Echoing urgency, Veney said, “I feel like it’ll make Amazon fight harder.” He believes their strength lies in collective unity as the workers seek to negotiate fair wages and working conditions. The workers are also reaching out to local and state officials for support, feeling the federal level under Trump might not offer them the guidance they need.
An immediate concern for these newly unionized workers surfaced earlier this month when reports indicated the Center City store was exempted from anticipated wage increases, purportedly due to Amazon's fears of impacting the election's outcome. Adams remarked, “The vote is now over, so where are our wage increases?”
Resolute and determined, the workers stand firm as they transition from their victory to the next chapter of negotiations, insisting on their rights and life improvements. Their win is just one step toward securing respect, pay, and dignity within their workplace.