Press Releases
UNFI Workers in California Join Teamsters
Organizing Momentum Keeps Growing at America’s Largest Natural Food Supplier
Press Contact: Daniel Moskowitz Phone: (770) 262-4971 Email: dmoskowitz@teamster.org
(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – More than 150 California workers at Tony’s Fine Foods, owned by United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), have overwhelmingly voted to join the Teamsters Union. The organizing victory marks the end of a yearlong campaign by drivers at UNFI to win strong union representation on the job.
“We stood united and fought hard for this victory,” said Rick Sims, a 30-year driver at Tony’s Fine Foods/UNFI. “It’s both a pleasure and a relief to finally be part of the Teamsters.”
Sims and his co-workers are seeking improvements to wages, health care, retirement, and working conditions.
The organizing campaign was a joint effort between Teamsters Local 853 in Oakland and Teamsters Local 150 in Sacramento.
“I want to congratulate these workers and extend my heartfelt welcome to the union. This dedicated group demonstrated remarkable solidarity throughout the campaign,” said Dale Wentz, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 150. “I want to thank the Teamsters Organizing Department for their instrumental role in steering this successful campaign.”
“By voting to unionize, UNFI workers have taken the first step to better wages, benefits, and protections,” said Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853. “We are proud to represent these drivers and will continue to stand with them as they take the next step in getting a great contract.”
The win in Sacramento follows recent organizing victories at UNFI in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Washington State. Last year, more than 1,000 workers at the company joined the Teamsters nationwide.
“Our momentum at UNFI is at an all-time high. We have organizing campaigns underway all across the country, and there’s no doubt that our winning streak will continue. And that’s because UNFI workers have had enough of the mistreatment and disrespect, and they keep hearing how other UNFI workers are demanding their worth and making major gains by becoming Teamsters,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “UNFI workers understand the need for a union voice. We saw nonstop success at this company in 2023 and we’re looking forward to winning even more in 2024.”
In 2014, US Foods acquired Tony’s Fine Foods – a leading distributor of perishable food products – for $195.3 million.
The Teamsters represent more than 4,000 members at UNFI nationwide.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.