St. Louis, MO Whole Foods project in Central West End entangled in union effort

ST. LOUIS?•?A $60 million project to build apartments and a Whole Foods Market in the Central West End has become entangled in a push for a union organizing agreement.
United Food & Commercial Workers Local 655 is trying to get a “neutrality agreement” with Whole Foods, in which employers refrain from opposing employee union organizing efforts.

None of Whole Foods’ nearly 340 stores, including the St. Louis-area stores in Town and Country and Brentwood, has unionized workers. Labor groups have long targeted Whole Foods, accusing the company of being anti-union.

The project seemed to be on the fast track in October, when the city’s Tax Increment Financing Commission approved the developer’s request for $10 million in TIF assistance for the project. Neighbors cheered what appeared to be the imminent arrival of an upscale grocer known for its organic food and prepared dishes.

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