Workers at Pearson Foods in Grand Rapdis, Mich., voted for union representation Friday, authorizing the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 to represent them in contract negotiations with their employer, a fresh-cut food processing company.
“Workers at Pearson Foods were looking for some help,” John Cakmakci, UFCW 951’s secretary-treasurer, said. “They wanted to improve their working conditions and that’s why they became interested in forming a union.”
The vote ended a four-month campaign for union representation that began after workers grew tired of poor treatment at the workplace.
“This is a very exciting day for the workers at Pearson Foods, who have wanted to see change for quite some time,” Cakmakci said. “We look forward to working with the company on the first contract.”
Approximately 46,000 workers belong to the UFCW in Michigan, working for a variety of retailers including Meijer, Kroger and Rite Aid, along with numerous other companies in a variety of industries including food processing, automotive supply and healthcare.
