Instacart cares deeply about our shopper community and we’re proud to offer flexible work opportunities for people across the country, including in-store shoppers in Illinois. During this critical time, customers have come to rely on us as an essential service for their groceries and household goods. In-store shoppers carefully pick and pack orders for delivery or pick up, and play an important role in our communities during this unprecedented time. We greatly appreciate your efforts, which is why we’ve established new policies, resources, and support to better serve you.
We’ve received questions regarding the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) — a union that has expressed interest in representing Instacart employees. We want to make sure you have the facts you need to make an informed decision and do what’s best for you and your family.
The UFCW offers a different workplace vision. Unlike Instacart, which provides flexibility to match the individual needs of shoppers, as members of the UFCW you would be required to follow the rules of the UFCW’s Constitution. This 29-page document is the UFCW’s control over its members. Working under a UFCW contract comes with strict rules that limit flexibility, including requirements for all employees to pay union dues out of their paychecks to the UFCW. Under this legally-binding contract, the UFCW can require any employee to be fired for not paying dues. It’s important to understand the requirements and control the UFCW could have over you.
We’ve created this website to provide shoppers with information on the UFCW International, so shoppers can make an informed decision about whether to get involved with the UFCW. Also covered on this website is information about two UFCW locals based in Illinois: UFCW Local 881 and UFCW Local 1546. We hope this website provides valuable facts to help you make an informed decision.
Shopper’s Question: Does joining the UFCW make sense for me?
Instacart’s Answer: A decision to join the UFCW may be in the union’s best interest, but it might not be in yours. Read on to find out more about the UFCW’s “business” structure and why the union needs more members.
If there’s a specific question you’d like to ask, please submit it using the form below.