By George Anderson
Publix Super Markets, an employee-owned company, is having labor problems. Some of the company's owners at its Deerfield Beach distribution center want to be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW).
Lee Brunson, spokesman for Publix, dismissed the need for a union at Florida's largest private employer. He told the Miami Herald, "Over our 70-year history, our associates have never had to pay union dues to enjoy competitive wages and benefits."
Employee owners at Publix' Miami distribution center voted against UFCW representation in January 2002.
Moderator's Comment: If there is a vote in favor of union representation at Publix, would (should) it be seen as a management failure?
It is hard sometimes to figure out which is the real Publix. Is it the one that has been rated 100 Best Companies to Work For in America by Fortune for six years running or the one named in class action suits for its treatment of female and minority workers? [George Anderson - Moderator]