In keeping with a growing Madison-area trend, employees of the Festival Foods at 810 E. Washington Ave. voted Aug. 14 to approve a union for their store, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The workers are now represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473.
The grocery store declined to voluntarily recognize the union one month before, but it now joins the list of several local grocery stores with unionized employees, which also includes Metcalfe’s Market at Hilldale, Metro Market on Cottage Grove Road, Regent Market Co-op on Regent Street and the meat departments at both area Woodman’s Markets.
Steve Temple, who works in Festival Foods’ deli department and led the union organizing committee, said union priorities in bargaining its first contract will include establishing “better store security, fair attendance policies, stable scheduling, benefits for our part-time co-workers and pay that keeps up with the cost of living.”
