Workers at GrowNYC, a prominent environmental organization in New York City, have achieved a significant victory as their employer has officially recognized their union formed with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). The announcement came after a delegation of nearly 200 GrowNYC employees demanded voluntary recognition of their union three weeks ago.

The formation of the union at GrowNYC represents a broader movement among workers in the food supply chain to advocate for their rights and collective representation. Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU, highlights the power of this victory, stating that workers at GrowNYC, like many others in the food industry, wanted and needed a union to protect their interests.

GrowNYC, known for its efforts to improve food access and promote agriculture programs, operates around 70 Greenmarkets, farm stands, community-supported agriculture (CSA) pick-up locations, and school operations. The workers involved in the union represent these various efforts.

One of the key motivations for unionization efforts was the issue of sexual harassment faced by employees from visitors at the markets. GrowNYC has acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy and are committing to address the issue. The organization looks forward to collaborating with the union to develop further support systems for the workers.

In addition to addressing sexual harassment, workers have raised other concerns such as unstable scheduling practices, seasonal layoffs without a call-back structure, lack of clear responsibilities at work, and favoritism by management. The employees hope that the union contract with RWDSU will help alleviate these issues and bring about positive change.

Erik Menjivar, GrowNYC Greenmarket Manager and Compost Coordinator, expressed his satisfaction with the decision to recognize the union, highlighting that it will not only benefit the workers but also advance GrowNYC‘s overall mission. Menjivar applauds the ongoing commitment of workers to advocate for their rights, regardless of the voluntary recognition, demonstrating their dedication to creating a fair and inclusive work environment.

This union recognition at GrowNYC follows a series of successful election filings and wins by workers represented by the RWDSU, including at Barnes & Noble and REI. According to Appelbaum, this victory at GrowNYC has the potential to inspire positive change in the food sector and set a new standard for worker treatment in the industry.