Workers seek union recognition for better pay, working conditions and a seat at the table
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MN –Workers at Peace Coffee signed and submitted cards to the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday to unionize with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663. They intend to secure increased wages, better working conditions and a collective voice at work to be able to turn those ideas into reality.
“We are unionizing to create an equitable pay structure to allow everyone to make livable wages,” said Josh Dietsche, Distribution Specialist.
Workers perform work at Peace Coffee that includes receiving, roasting, production, shipping and marketing the organically fair traded beans.
“Peace Coffee does amazing things for the community, it’s time for us as employees to be treated with the same care and respect,” said Jade Hampton, who works as a Production Roaster.
The employer did not immediately recognize the union. An election date will be determined by the National Labor Relations Board.
BACKGROUND:
UFCW Local 663’s most recent unionizing efforts include retail workers at Half Price Books in Minnesota. In Fall 2021, UFCW Local 663 merged with UFCW Local 9 in Southeast Minnesota to increase its membership and continues to be the largest United Food & Commercial Workers Local in the five state area. Workers at Twin Cities’ Food Cooperatives also organized with UFCW Local 663 over the past five years.
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United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 is a union of more than 17,000 hard-working frontline essential workers in retail, meat packing and processing, food preparation and manufacturing and healthcare in Minnesota and Iowa led by President Matt Utecht. We strive to improve the lives of our members and of all working families by fighting for economic, political, and social justice in our workplaces and communities. Local 663 is part of the 1.3 million-member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.
Contact: Jessica Hayssen
651-261-8559, jessicah@ufcw663.org