United Food and Commercial Workers

Union protesters greeted the opening of the latest Aldi’s store in St. Paul today. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 789 wants the discount retailer to sign a “labor-peace agreement.” Under such an agreement, the company would agree not to interfere with efforts to speak with workers about unionizing. “They have consistently ignored our request,” says Don Seaquist, president of Local 789.

After years of eschewing labor-organizing drives at the world’s largest company, the United Food and Commercial Workers has vowed that capitulation to Wal-Mart is over. The union has started organizing campaigns in 17 states, including Minnesota, targeting more than 100 stores. The impetus for the organizing drive: the new administration in the White House and the possibility of passing the Employee Free Choice Act.