Employees of popular Columbus ice cream brand vote to unionize
At Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, the latest scoop isn’t Brown Butter Almond Brittle; it’s news that workers have moved to unionize.
Workers at all eight Columbus area scoop shops voted by nearly a 2-to-1 margin to join United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1059. Out of the 80 employees, 18 votes were counted as for and 10 votes were counted as against.
Unionization efforts in the food and retail industries have increasingly focused on wages, scheduling stability and workplace conditions. Advocates say it gives them a more formal seat at the table.
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The Ohio AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) praised the workers’ vote in a social media post late last week, congratulating employees for organizing across all area locations.
Jeni’s also confirmed the vote to 614NOW.
“We respect our employees’ rights and the outcome of this election,” a spokesperson for Jeni’s told us. “As negotiations begin, we will engage in good faith and work constructively toward an agreement.”
After a successful union vote, results are certified and the company is required to begin good-faith negotiations with employee representatives toward a first contract. This process can take months.
Jeni’s has a wide presence in the Columbus area with scoop shops in the Short North, Clintonville, Columbus Commons, Easton Town Center, Grandview Heights, Dublin, German Village and North Market, where the first Jeni’s was opened by Jeni Britton Bauer in 2002. Today, she still owns a stake in the company and remains closely involved as its founder and chief creative officer. The current CEO is Poe Timmons.
Jeni’s can also be found in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta and more. Also, pints are sold in grocery stores nationwide.
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