Unions Call Webvan Policies Unfair

Workers at Webvan Group Inc. could be among the first dot-commers to push for unionization, but union activists say company rules are hurting their efforts.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 120 and 870 and Teamsters Local 70 have filed unfair labor practice charges against the Foster City-based online grocer, saying Webvan’s policies restrict organizing at its Oakland warehouse. The charges, filed with the National Labor Relations Board, seek to change the company’s policies nationwide, which could affect nearly 1,000 workers.

Webvan workers want a union contract because they are frequently switched from day shifts to night shifts and their co-payments for health insurance increased, said Rich Hedges, a spokesman for the United Food and Commercial locals.

Union organizers said Webvan prohibits unauthorized gatherings at work during free time, forbids solicitations on company e-mail and does not allow warehouse workers to wear buttons, including those that support unionization.

Webvan spokesman Bud Grebey said the company places no restrictions on employees gathering during their free time.

The national labor board will investigate the charges and decide whether to hold a hearing.

Workers from grocers such as Safeway Inc. joined Webvan with hopes of cashing in on stock options, Hedges said. Webvan’s stock was trading at $25 a share after it went public in November 1999, but it has plummeted since then. The shares closed unchanged Friday at 47 cents on Nasdaq.

If Webvan goes the way of many dot-coms recently and shuts down, workers would have a better chance in bankruptcy court if they have a union contract, Hedges said.

In November, workers at Etown.com became the first dot-commers to file for a union vote, which was delayed for six months because the union filed a complaint with the national labor board. And at Amazon.com, organizers are trying to establish a union.