Employees at MOM’s Organic Market’s store in Timonium, Maryland, have voted to unionize with Teamsters Local 570. The union said the vote was 93% in favor, affecting more than 50 employees at the Timonium location.
It is the third union vote at a MOM’s location. Employees at the store’s location in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood voted to join Local 570 in August. Workers at the College Park MOM’s Organic Market location filed to unionize with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 last week.
“There are two big reasons why I voted for the union,” said Timonium store employee Joe Mowellt and organizing committee member in a statement released by Local 570. “First, without a union I can be fired at any time for any reason with or without cause or notice.”
“Second, as a Team Member, there is no way to advance in pay. I’ve been here five years, and I’m still making close to the minimum starting rate. Now, with the union, we can work to change that.”
An emailed statement from the company following the latest union vote said “We love MOM’s Team Members. While it seems to be a trend to form unions recently, we believe and stand by our extraordinary benefits.”
According to MOM’s, the company pays employees at least a $15 minimum wage, offers employees store discounts and free meals, paid time off and contributes to employee healthcare plan costs, among other benefits.
Rockville-based MOM’s Organic Market has 10 stores in Maryland, five in Virginia and one in the District.
MOM’s Organic Market started as a small, organic produce distributor in 1987. It has recently expanded outside of the D.C. area, with stores in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
