Lifestyle
Philly Whole Foods store becomes first to unionize – a labor expert explains what’s next and how Trump could stall workers’ efforts
Whole Foods workers at the Philadelphia flagship store in the city’s Art Museum area voted to unionize on Jan. 27, 2025. They are the first store in the Amazon-owned grocery chain to do so.
Paul Clark, a professor of labor and employment relations at Penn State University, talked to Kate Kilpatrick, The Conversation U.S. Philadelphia editor, about why this is happening – and why in Philly.
The Whole Foods workers in Philadelphia voted 130-100 in favor of unionizing. What do we know about their grievances?
From what I understand, these workers have felt that compensation, benefits and work conditions were not what they should be. Some are long-standing employees and say they struggle to afford their basic necessities.
Why did the union drive effort succeed now, and in Philly?
In the last five years, there has been a surge in union organizing. There are a number of reasons for this. First is the labor market. Low unemployment emboldens workers to take the risk of organizing a union. If workers feel their employer can’t replace them or that they can easily get a similar job, they are less fearful of angering the employer by trying to organize.
The second reason is that the Biden administration was a labor-friendly administration – perhaps the most in history. The U.S. president appoints a majority of members to the National Labor Relations Board, which interprets and enforces the labor law that governs organizing. Under Biden, the NLRB regularly issued decisions that provided greater protection to workers and held employers accountable when they violated workers’ rights. During Republican administrations, the board’s decisions are generally pro-business and provide less protection to workers. So workers had the wind at their back in that regard.
Also recent polling shows that 70% of Americans approve of unions, compared with less than half of Americans just 15 years ago. The generally favorable view of unions creates a more supportive environment for organizing.
And the last factor is that Generation Z, the youngest group of workers, clearly wants more out of their work and employment than previous generations. So we see a lot of young workers across the country organizing at Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, Apple and now at Whole Foods and other stores.
Why Philadelphia? Philadelphia is a relatively strong union town. The percentage of the workforce that is represented by a union is higher in Philadelphia than in most cities and areas of the country. So when workers express interest in organizing in Philadelphia they get a lot of support. Other unions might turn out members for their rallies, pressure the company to not oppose the organizing drive and offer other aid and assistance.
The starting wage at the Philadelphia Whole Foods store is US$16 an hour. Is that considered low when the city’s minimum wage is just $7.25 an hour?
The minimum wage in Philadelphia is $7.25 because that is the federal minimum wage. States can institute a higher minimum wage if they choose to, but Pennsylvania is one of the few Northeast states that hasn’t adopted a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum. The minimum wages in New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts, for example, are $15 or above.
But the minimum wage in Pennsylvania is almost irrelevant because of today’s labor market. Unemployment is low, and many employers have to offer significantly more than the minimum wage to get workers.
And the minimum wage is supposed to be a starting wage for workers with little experience or seniority. What workers want is a living wage. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single person in Philadelphia needs to earn around $24 per hour to cover the basic costs of living. And Whole Foods is a profitable business. It’s part of Amazon, one of the most profitable, largest companies in the world. I think workers at these companies believe that they play an important role in generating those profits because of the work they do. And they think they should get a fair share of those profits.
How might the Whole Foods workers expect the company to fight back?
When employees win an organizing election as the Whole Food workers have, they have won a battle but not the war. The purpose of forming a union is to improve wages and benefits and working conditions, and you do that by negotiating a contract with the company. That is the next step in the process. But the law only requires employers to bargain with employees – to meet at reasonable times and exchange proposals. It doesn’t compel them to agree to anything.
The typical strategy of companies that aggressively oppose their workers having a union is to drag their feet in bargaining and not sign a contract. That is technically illegal, but labor law in the U.S. is relatively weak, and with good legal advice you can drag out bargaining for a very long time.
We’ve seen this with the Starbucks campaign. The first Starbucks store unionized in 2021. Over 540 stores have organized since then. And Starbucks workers at those stores still do not have a contract.
Could the new Trump administration have any impact on how this plays out in Philly?
The fact that the Trump administration has taken over gives companies more confidence that the standard delay strategy will work.
On Jan. 28, 2025, President Donald Trump fired Jennifer Abruzzo, the general counsel of the NLRB. The general counsel is the official at the board who basically enforces the National Labor Relations Act. Abruzzo was very aggressive in holding employers accountable if they violated the act and in protecting the rights of workers who tried to organize.
Trump’s approach to labor law in his first four years in office was at the other extreme. He appointed as general counsel Peter Robb, who was seen as far less aggressive in protecting workers’ rights and his interpretations of the law were much more pro-business.
Under the Biden administration, if a company was coming to the bargaining table month after month and not agreeing to anything, the NLRB would eventually step in and cite the employer for not bargaining in good faith. The NLRB could find the employer guilty of unfair labor practices and genuinely put pressure on it to bargain a contract.
Based on the board’s actions during the first Trump administration, the board in the next few years will be more likely to allow companies to delay and delay in reaching a contract.
What leverage do the Whole Foods employees have?
They can go on strike. But Amazon has the resources to put up with a strike at one Whole Foods store forever.
Other Whole Foods stores may be considering union drives. The more stores that organize, the more momentum the Philadelphia store will have. But for now, these workers in Philly are going to have their work cut out for them.
That said, they won’t be alone. The Whole Foods workers organized with the UFCW Local 1776, which is basically a statewide union that’s been around for decades. It has a lot of resources and experienced and knowledgeable leaders, plus the resources of the national UFCW. So it’s going to lean into this fight, and these workers will also have a lot of support from the rest of the labor community in Philadelphia.
Earlier this month, three Congressional representatives from Pennsylvania wrote a letter to Jason Buechel, the Whole Foods CEO, and to Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, that expressed their concerns about efforts to suppress the union drive. Is that support typical?
It’s not unusual. But there is no legal basis for elected officials to intervene in a labor-management dispute. I’d put that under the heading of community support.
You have a lot of progressive elected officials in Philadelphia who are supportive of unions, and that’s true in Pennsylvania right up to the governor.
Paul F. Clark, Professor of Labor and Employment Relations, Penn State
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Last Updated on May 16, 2026 by Daily News Staff
National Small Business Month
Every May, communities across the United States recognize Small Business Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the entrepreneurs, family-owned companies, startups, and local shops that help drive the American economy. From neighborhood restaurants to innovative tech startups, small businesses continue to play a vital role in creating jobs, supporting communities, and inspiring innovation.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for millions of jobs nationwide and represent the backbone of local economies. Throughout May, organizations, chambers of commerce, and business leaders host networking events, educational workshops, and promotional campaigns to support entrepreneurs and encourage consumers to shop locally.
One of the highlights of the month is National Small Business Week, which honors outstanding entrepreneurs and business owners making a difference in their communities.
For consumers, Small Business Month is also a reminder that supporting local businesses helps strengthen neighborhoods and keeps communities thriving. Whether it’s dining at a local café, shopping at an independent store, or hiring a local service provider, every purchase can make an impact.
Learn more about Small Business Month and related events through the official U.S. Small Business Administrationwebsite.
Related External Links
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- National Small Business Week – SBA
- SCORE – Mentoring and Resources for Small Businesses
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Resources
- Forbes Small Business News and Insights
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
Cruise travel is having more than a moment. It’s having a decade.
(Tiffany Miller) The cruise industry is not waiting for travelers to come around. By most measures, they already have. A projected 21.7 million Americans are expected to cruise in 2026, a record high and a 4.5 percent increase over last year, according to AAA.
“Cruising has come a long way since The Love Boat,” said writer and travel expert Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, aka JetSetSarah. “Pull up to the port, unpack once and have the world come to you.”
This April, more than 11,500 attendees and 650 exhibitors gathered at Seatrade Cruise Global to map out what comes next.
Dining as the main event
Food has always been part of the cruise experience. The question the industry is now asking is what happens when it becomes the point.
Cruise lines are placing greater emphasis on the dining experience, with destination-inspired menus, port-specific drinks and more immersive, multi-course experiences.
Royal Caribbean introduced the Empire Supper Club this year, pairing multi-course menus with craft cocktails and live music into a single evening.
Expedition cruising finds a new audience
Expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing types of cruising, and major cruise lines are moving into it.
These itineraries go where other ships do not. Travelers kayak among glaciers, contribute to citizen science programmes and spend time in the field with naturalists and researchers, with programming built around science and conservation rather than port stops.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has operated in this space for decades, with programs including the Visiting Scientist Program, the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund and the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship.
Wellness expands across the ship
Wellness is no longer a spa deck. It is becoming a reason to book.
A few years ago, a thermal suite was a selling point. Now it is closer to a baseline expectation. Meditation spaces, sleep-focused staterooms and recovery lounges are following the same trajectory. A dedicated wellness pavilion debuted at this year’s show, a signal that the category has grown large enough to need its own floor space.
Cunard’s Wellness at Sea program runs across multiple days. Its three tracks (Relax, Energise and Recover) each combine fitness, spa and mindfulness elements. Shore excursions and destination-specific spa offerings carry the experience beyond the ship.
Ships as cultural hubs
Entertainment on cruise ships used to mean a stage show. Cruise lines are now producing content that doesn’t exist anywhere else.
Holland America Line partnered with The Verdon Fosse Legacy to debut “Fosse and Verdon, The Duet That Changed Broadway,” a live musical and multimedia tribute to the work of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. The production marks the first international staging of their work at sea.
Onboard retail is moving in the same direction. More cruise lines are curating locally sourced goods and destination-specific products at port, the kind passengers could only find by actually being there.
The bigger picture
The passenger numbers tell one part of the story. What cruise lines are building inside that growth tells another.
“Today’s ships offer amenities that are at least as good as, and often more comprehensive than, those in resorts and hotels,” Greaves-Gabbadon said. “A cruise can be equally enjoyable for solos, families, honeymooners, groups and adventurers, and that versatility is a large part of their appeal.”
What the show floor made clear is that the industry is not waiting to be discovered. It is building toward the traveler it wants next.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/
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Travel
Navigating Travel Plans: When Travel Advisors Can Take You Further Than AI
Travel Advisors: From comparing prices to dreaming up bucket-list destinations, artificial intelligence has become a starting point for millions of travelers who are turning to tech for early-stage planning. However, travelers consistently emphasize the importance of having accessible expert support during the process.
Navigating Travel Plans: When Travel Advisors Can Take You Further Than AI
(Feature Impact) From comparing prices to dreaming up bucket-list destinations, artificial intelligence has become a starting point for millions of travelers who are turning to tech for early-stage planning.
However, travelers consistently emphasize the importance of having accessible expert support during the process. In fact, 96% of U.S. travelers said having access to a human for support is important when booking a vacation, according to a new survey commissioned by ALG Vacations, a leading provider of vacation packages to top global destinations, including 48% who said it’s “extremely” important.
Though 24% of survey respondents said the main way they use AI is for comparing prices or finding travel deals, 63% of Americans said they trust a travel advisor as much as or more than AI tools when planning a vacation, underscoring that AI alone is not enough for most U.S. travelers. Going beyond the planning phase, 77% of survey respondents said that even if they use AI for travel planning, they’re still likely to rely on a human to make final decisions, especially for booking, payment or resolving issues.
In honor of Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, consider these ways travelers can take advantage of the expertise of an advisor to get the most out of every trip.
Navigating Travel Uncertainty
Today’s travel landscape can feel unpredictable, from shifting policies to headlines that make things feel bigger or closer than they actually are, but that doesn’t mean travelers should avoid taking the trip; it just means they should plan smarter. Because 42% of travelers fear important details could be missed if relying entirely on AI to plan a trip, that’s where a travel advisor comes in to help separate what’s real from what’s just noise. This expertise allows for smarter, more confident decisions, and aids in choosing destinations that align with travelers’ current comfort levels.
Unlocking Added Value
Planning thoughtfully doesn’t mean spending more, it means getting more for the amount spent. Travel advisors often have access to exclusive perks and upgrades not directly available to consumers or pulled in by AI prompts, providing added value that goes beyond the cost of the vacation. In addition to added amenities, advisors’ insider recommendations can help match those perks to travelers’ preferences.
In fact, for vacations booked during the month of May, travelers can take advantage of The Great Getaway Savings Event from ALG Vacations, which features up to $950 in savings through a combination of instant savings, promo codes, air credits and group offers on trips to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, the continental United States, Europe, Central America, Dominican Republic and the South Pacific.
Providing Protection and Peace of Mind
Modern travelers want options, and the ability to adjust plans, add protection or pivot when needed has become a top priority. A travel advisor can assist with adding that flexibility through travel protection that provides extra peace of mind – whether that means rebooking or changing plans if something comes up. At the end of the day, it’s about helping travelers feel prepared so they can relax and truly enjoy their vacations.
Stepping in When Things Go Awry
When trips become complex, multi-destination or disrupted by delays or cancellations, travelers are more likely to want a real person involved. In fact, 39% of survey respondents worry there will be no support if something goes wrong. If a flight is canceled or a resort overbooks, travelers aren’t stuck refreshing an app; they have an expert there every step of the way – before, during and after the trip – listening to them, learning about their preferences, advocating for them and providing guidance based on first-hand experience throughout the process.
For a one-stop-shop to help bring every stage of travel planning seamlessly together, visitTravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com to find a travel advisor near you who can provide additional assistance with planning, booking and more.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
