Natural Grocers workers in Norman, Okla., voted to unionize by a slim margin, reports The Huntsville Item.
The move passed 11-9 to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1000. The union said it will use a group of employees to negotiate terms.
UFCW Local 1000 has not responded to a request for comment in time for publication.
Workers want a better work environment, adequate healthcare, protection of pregnant workers’ rights, protection from employment at will and anti-union retaliation, accessible bereavement leave, and protection of annual raises.
Natural Grocers has been accused of using aggressive tactics to break up union efforts.
According to the Oklahoma City Free Press, Natural Grocers management pulled employees into two-hour “captive audience meetings” in storage closets rather than in an education room. It used the time to address the negative impacts of joining a union.
The Free Press also gave specific examples of the alleged abuse, like when human resources notified one former employee she was banned from all Natural Grocers locations after she was fired and attempted to hand a unionizer’s number to another employee.
The Item provided more details on Natural Grocers discriminating against pregnant workers. A current employee said six women became pregnant over eight years, and the retailer made it difficult for new mothers to take breaks to pump breast milk while only guaranteeing one week of paid leave. New mothers could request additional disability time if they filled out the proper paperwork.
Another former associate accused the store of aggressive anti-union actions that included interrogating workers and discipline over small infractions.
Workers are considering filing a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board over unfair labor practices.
Natural Grocers has not responded to a request for comment before publication.
Natural Grocers, based in Lakewood, Colo., operates 168 locations in the U.S., according to ScrapeHero.