Hundreds of NYC Greenmarket, Food Distribution, Composting, and Nutrition & Farming Education Workers at GrowNYC Locations Win Union Recognition, Bringing First Union to the Industry in NYC
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On Tuesday, workers at GrowNYC announced their employer will recognize the workers’ union formed with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). On Monday, April 25, 2023, a delegation of workers representing nearly two-hundred employees at around 70 GrowNYC Greenmarkets, farm stands, and CSA pick-up locations, and who work across GrowNYC’s operations in hundreds of schools in their distribution hubs and in nutrition education and composting demanded voluntary recognition of their union from the large-scale non-profit.
The win comes amid a flurry of election filings and wins by workers with the RWDSU this month around the country including Barnes & Noble and REI stores. Workers at GrowNYC will begin bargaining their first contract swiftly as a result. Companies at any time can voluntarily recognize a worker union, doing so expedites the process of union representation and the pathway to a union contract.
“I am thrilled with GrowNYC's decision. I am happy they are still interested in keeping a good relationship with us as workers by voluntarily recognizing our union. Regardless, we will continue to advocate for our rights which will advance GrowNYC's mission as a whole,” said Erik Menjivar (He/Him), GrowNYC Greenmarket Manager and Compost Coordinator. Read more here.