FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Ben Bourgoin (320) 291-7197 , Zach Ewald (612) 597-8944



On May 3rd, 2017 workers at the Good Earth Food Co-op went public to management as members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). IWW members met with the General Manager and handed her a letter with signatures in support of the Good Earth Workers Union (GEWU). Workers presented their demands which include:

1.) Voluntary Recognition of the Good Earth Workers Union

2.) Automatic Owner Membership for Workers after 90 day probationary period

3.) Distribution of the Industrial Worker at the store

4.) Boycott Driscoll’s Campaign

At press time, the General Manager has voluntarily recognized the union, allowing the distribution of the Industrial Worker, and exploring the other demands with the union. Kitchen worker Zach Ewald celebrated, saying: “Hit up the Co-op and support this awesome place! It’s one of the few food cooperatives that hasn’t engaged in union-busting.”

This announcement comes after three years organizing below the radar and several shop floor actions.

In the Summer of 2013, the Workers Committee formed as an organizing body and safe space for rank-and- file workers to discuss work related issues and find ways to resolve them. One of our first actions was against a Bra Policy that would require all female identifying individuals to wear bras while at work. This policy was reversed after circulating a petition and applying pressure to upper management.

In the Summer of 2014, workers slapped “Know Your Rights” posters on the GMs door and in the Breakroom after workers were told they could not talk about their wages. This action helped educate workers on their rights in the workplace while also introducing them to direct action.

In July of 2015, workers demanded the removal of an abusive department manager and backed it by threatening a picket. The manager was removed.

In the Fall of of 2015, Produce Workers refused to handle Driscoll’s Berries to honor the Boycott of Driscoll’s and Sakuma Bro’s. This led the Good Earth Food Co-op to publicly honor the boycott for over a year until FUJ called it off. Good Earth was the only grocery store in MN to honor the boycott.

In the Fall of 2015, Member’s Committee was organized to address deteriorating buying standards and support the organizing efforts of The Worker’s Committee.

In the Winter of 2016, a Worker/Buyer Delegation met with the Board of Directors demanding the removal of a General Manager. This demand was backed by a large number of workers willing to strike if he wasn’t removed. This manager was removed.

In November of 2016, Deli Workers organized a worker-managed kitchen model and have been running it democratically without a manager ever since.

Jeff, a lead cashier, said “It’s been nice to see some of the hard work everyone has put into the union start paying off at the Co-op. We’ve had some great accomplishments and some big hurdles to overcome. I think us organizing at the Co-op has brought more people together and we are ready to tackle other issues that might come our way.”

“Workers have a stronger voice and more power on the shopfloor since we started organizing” said Sydnee, a cashier of five years.

Alex, a worker in the produce department, adds “Working class solidarity is where it’s at. While we’re a small shop, the tactics we employ are unprecedented in St. Cloud. I had no exposure to organizing before I started working at the co-op about a year ago. There will be a lot of struggles to be fought over the coming months and years, and working at the Good Earth has helped me find the comrades I will be fighting with.”

“The worker-run kitchen has given, not just myself, but all of my comrades in the deli and bakery a new found sense of importance.”, said Maddie, “Because we are now more democratic and horizontally run, we are all able to explore our passions and put our individual strengths to use without fear of overreaching. The worker-run kitchen has taught me a great deal about trusting myself and my ideas as well, and I’m very appreciative of that.”

“This has been my first experience in a collective ran workplace.”, added Eric. “It is tremendously rewarding to have the entire kitchen recognized as equals for our hard work and contributions to success and growth. The high level of morale, paired with freedom of creativity, has allowed our kitchen to flourish like never before. I am ecstatic to be part of such a beautiful team.”

The Good Earth Workers Union is a campaign of the Central Minnesota IWW. The Industrial Workers of the World is a revolutionary labor union founded over a century ago for all working people.