UNFI Teamsters Ratify Strong First Contract, Avert Strike

Warehouse workers win 31% wage increase, improved benefits, and job protections

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:31pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of cardboard boxes, a clipboard, and a pen arranged on a clean white background, conceptually representing the logistics and distribution work of the UNFI warehouse workers.A new Teamsters contract at a major grocery distributor signals growing worker power in the warehouse and logistics industry.Pompano Beach Today

More than 200 warehouse workers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) in Pompano Beach, Florida, represented by Teamsters Local 769, have voted to ratify a lucrative five-year contract agreement. The new contract includes significant wage increases, improved benefits, and strong workplace protections, following a credible strike threat by the workers.

Why it matters

This contract represents a major victory for the Teamsters union, which has been organizing UNFI workers across the country. The agreement sets a new standard for UNFI workers nationwide and demonstrates the power of collective bargaining to improve working conditions in the warehouse and distribution industry.

The details

The new contract includes a 31% wage increase for the Pompano Beach UNFI workers over the life of the agreement, access to Teamsters health care, and entry into the Teamsters Western Conference Pension Plan. The workers also won long-term job security, including just cause protections and strong grievance and arbitration procedures.

  • The Pompano Beach UNFI workers organized last year as part of a larger movement of UNFI workers joining the Teamsters union.
  • Since 2022, the Teamsters have organized more than 3,500 UNFI workers nationwide, growing the union's footprint to more than 5,500 members at the company.

The players

Vedjo Williamceau

A UNFI warehouse worker and Local 769 member who served on the negotiating committee.

Joshua Zivalich

President of Teamsters Local 769.

Tom Erickson

Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division.

Teamsters Local 769

The local Teamsters union that represents the UNFI warehouse workers in Pompano Beach, Florida.

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI)

The primary distributor for Amazon-owned Whole Foods and the employer of the Teamsters-represented warehouse workers in Pompano Beach.

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What they’re saying

“Ratifying our first Teamsters contract is a proud moment for every worker in this warehouse. Throughout our organizing drive and contract campaign, we showed what's possible when workers stick together. We're excited for what comes next.”

— Vedjo Williamceau, UNFI warehouse worker and Local 769 member

“These workers stood together and won an agreement that mirrors the gains of UNFI Teamsters across the country. Contracts like this one make a real difference for our members and are possible because of the strength our rank-and-filers across this company have already built.”

— Joshua Zivalich, President of Local 769

“UNFI recognized the power of a credible Teamsters strike threat and didn't want to test their luck. Warehouse workers nationwide are seeing what we are achieving at UNFI and choosing to organize with the Teamsters to win the same standards.”

— Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division

What’s next

The Teamsters union will continue to organize UNFI workers across the country, building on the momentum of this contract victory in Pompano Beach.

The takeaway

This contract represents a significant win for the Teamsters union in its ongoing efforts to organize warehouse and distribution workers. The strong wage increases, improved benefits, and enhanced job protections set a new standard for UNFI workers nationwide and demonstrate the power of collective bargaining to improve working conditions in the industry.