The unionization process at ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's has been pretty painless for its union, Scoopers United, and I'm pleased to report that both parties have just ratified their first contract! This makes the Burlington, VT Scoop Shop the first unionized Ben & Jerry's location in the US.
As a brief catch up: Scoopers United formed last April at the flagship Burlington, VT Scoop Shop of Ben & Jerry's and was quickly recognized voluntarily by the company. All 39 employees of the shop supported the union, and were asking for pay increases and crisis training (in response to several overdoses at the store). Workers at the store also had no benefits—technically, they were employed by a third party and not by Unilever (the parent company of Ben & Jerry's) directly.
Under the new one-year contract, reports working-class publication The Rake VT:
The agreement includes substantial wage increases. For example, starting wages increase from $14 to $20.75 per hour. Tipping is no longer a core part of compensation, and tips are no longer solicited. Workers also now earn paid time off, sick leave, leave of absence rights, and seven new holidays.
Workers were also, outside of the contract, brought into Unilever. Congratulations!
