River Valley Co-op Workers Draw Strong Community Support at Informational Picket

Source: UFCW 1459

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) 1459, the union representing workers at River Valley Co-op, held a high-impact, two-day informational picket the weekend of May 31- June 1, drawing between 125 and 150 participants across both days. Workers, community allies, and co-op member-owners gathered outside the Easthampton location on Saturday (5/31) and the Northampton store on Sunday (6/1) in a coordinated show of solidarity and public outreach. 

The union organized the action to spotlight its ongoing contract negotiations with co-op management. Organizers say the informational picket aimed to educate the public on the union’s core proposals and to increase pressure on leadership to return to the table with responses that meet the needs of its workforce. 

“This isn’t a strike,” said worker and union steward Kai Brown. “We’re doing this because we believe in transparency. We’re trying to reach out to the community and co-op member-owners.” 

The union’s demands focus on improving workplace standards and ensuring long-term sustainability for employees. Among the key proposals are: 

● Cost of living adjustments, so wages keep pace with inflation 

● Expanded sick time protections, especially in light of increased public health risks 

● Shift differentials for undesirable hours to address chronic under-staffing 

● Greater transparency and enforcement of policies protecting workers from hostile behavior by customers or vendors

● Codified protections for immigrant workers 

Over the weekend, picketers held signs like “WE ARE WILD ABOUT A LIVING WAGE” and “FAIR WAGES ARE THE ROOT OF A NOURISHED COMMUNITY.” Passersby frequently stopped to listen, ask questions, and express their support — with some even joining the demonstration. 

Participants stressed that cooperative principles such as democracy, equity, and sustainability must extend beyond product sourcing and branding — they must be reflected in employment practices as well.

Recently, co-op General Manager Rochelle Prunty issued a statement to member-owners asserting that the co-op’s wages are competitive and meet workers’ needs. Worker and union steward Iris Scott pushed back on that claim on the picket line: “[That] is simply not the case. It’s not our lived experience and it’s not our reality. The reality is our workers need so much more in order to sustain a regular life where we can pay our bills and be successful members in this community.” The Union’s proposals, they argue, aim to do just that. 

With the current contract set to expire on June 19, the Union has rearmed its commitment to bargaining in good faith and reaching a fair agreement that reflects both the value of workers’ labor and the founding principles of the co-op. 

“Our goal isn’t conflict — it’s commitment,” said Catsy Catlin, a worker and union steward. “We love this community! We are this community! We want to be able to thrive in this community! We’re asking to be supported by the people we love to see every day in the store. We want you in here! We want to be here — we want to work for a living wage.”