United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 655 President David Cook joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the impact of automation on grocery store workers and a fewer number of entry level jobs available to members of the working class.
Cook said there is a higher level of automation throughout the customer service process, particularly in grocery stores and the service industry. He expressed concern over the lack of social outcry and questioned what the future will look like for workers displaced by automation.
Cook also discussed a recently signed Collective Bargaining Agreement between the UFCW and Schnucks. He called this CBA the best contract in the union’s history and explained how it includes a new flexible job classification that allows for on-demand scheduling, similar to a gig worker, but with all the rights and benefits of a full-time employee.
Cook also talked about a survey by the nonprofit Economic Roundtable, which found more than a third of Kroger employees are food insecure.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.