Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – Lexington Co-op Workers United won their union vote on Thursday in a landslide election, 56-20, successfully unionizing both the Elmwood Avenue and Hertel Avenue locations with Workers United Rochester Regional Joint Board. The workers joined the same union as Starbucks Workers United and Spot Coffee.
"I am entirely elated by our victory this morning. This is a win, not only for the employees of the Co-op, but also the community at large. Buffalo is and always will be a union town," said Maxwell Bollman, a worker at the Elmwood Co-op in a statement.
"With the workers now having a real voice, along with the Lexington Co-op's commitment to local business, current and future owners can feel confident spending their money at the store because they will know that every member of the community is heard and respected. I am looking forward to the future and am committed to securing a better future for my coworkers."
"I'm finding it hard to put our landslide victory into words. We're at the beginning of a truly democratic future where the workers finally have a real seat at the table with management to better fulfill the Co-op's mission," added Philip Kneitinger, a worker at the Hertel Co-op in a statement. "This is just the start, with negotiating our first union contract being the real work ahead of us."
"I never cease to be inspired by what workers can do in their fight to attain democracy on the job. We are so honored to have the creative spirit of the Co-op and the wonderful workers in our union, and look forward to creating a truly cooperative workplace where everyone has a voice," said Gary Bonadonna Jr., manager of Workers United, Rochester Regional Joint Board.
Workers are ecstatic to begin contract negotiations and create a true cooperative workplace with Co-op management.
