The employees of Gravelwood Farm Grow Store unionized as part of the International Association Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 4.
All nine employees voted to ratify their contract on May 15.
The contract grants workers cost-of-living adjustments, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and 40 hours of paid leave. Employees will also have more involvement in discussion impacting how the store works.
“This is a great opportunity for us to have a stronger voice in the workplace about wages, benefits and other conditions impacting employment,” Christopher Ambrose, an employee and Machinists Union member, said in a Tuesday statement.
The union was voluntarily recognized by store owner Dan Brown, who said he was proud of his employees and wanted to see the impact spread.
“We are the first grow/feed store that I am aware of to have a union sticker on the business’ window,” Brown said. “We hope this new contract helps raise the bar for the rest of the industry to follow and provides an example for other workers and small businesses to follow.”
