Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve gotten a lot of questions about what unions are, how they work, and how having a union could benefit us here at PetSmart. This page answers some of these common questions while offering background on our movement and UFCW - the organization supporting us as we get our union off the ground!
If you don’t see your question answered here, please reach out to us! A PetSmart Union team member will be happy to chat with you and answer any and all questions about the union difference at PetSmart.
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What will happen with the upcoming restructuring at PetSmart? Would it help to have a union?
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PetSmart recently announced that they plan to restructure our stores at the beginning of 2025. They haven’t fully outlined what this will entail, but workers across the country are worried that PetSmart will pull the rug out from underneath us and change things drastically. Having a union at PetSmart would help us in the face of this uncertainty because, with a union, PetSmart will need to negotiate any proposed changes with us, and we get a say in how those changes are rolled out.
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What is a union?
A union is you and your coworkers coming together for a voice in the workplace. It’s everyone at your store having a say how things are run!
With a union, you get the opportunity to work with your management and PetSmart’s leadership to implement policies and benefits that help you do your best work and get what you should be earning from it. Having a union makes your job more fair & equitable - which we all deserve for everything we contribute to PetSmart’s mission.
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How would a union help me as a PetSmart worker?
Having a union at your PetSmart store gives you a voice to stand up for the protections and policies you need. Every PetSmart store and department faces different issues, and with a union, you and your coworkers can vouch for the specific improvements you need to make PetSmart a place for a great career.
Starting a union also helps you build strength in numbers! By unionizing, you and your coworkers have more power to ask for change than you would on your own — that’s how we win strong union contracts that represent our best interests as workers.
How do I start a union at my PetSmart Store?
You can get your union off the ground by filling out our intake form and connecting with a UFCW union organizer! They’ll discuss what’s happening at your store and help you pinpoint the safest next steps.
Are other PetSmart stores already unionized?
Petsmart workers in Canada have already started a union and won a contract with better wages & benefits. We’re inspired by their progress, and we’re coming together at PetSmart stores throughout the U.S. to ensure American workers get the same opportunities for a better career! We’re adding strength to what our coworkers in Canada have already accomplished and ensuring we chart a strong future at the company.
What is UFCW? How are they supporting us as we start our unions at PetSmart?
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) represents hundreds of thousands of retail workers across the United States. They understand the struggles that retail workers are facing in 2024, and they have the experience to help us build better workplaces.
UFCW organizers are supporting us as we organize our PetSmart stores and build our union. They’re answering our questions, helping us map out our workplaces, and empowering us to have safe & strategic conversations with our coworkers!
What are my legal rights when starting a union at PetSmart?
You have many legal protections when you’re starting a union at your PetSmart store. Under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA), you’re allowed to talk about starting a union with your coworkers, even when you’re on the clock!
However, even with these federal protections, it’s always important that you’re careful when starting your union. Working with a UFCW union organizer from the beginning is the best way to get the ball rolling safely.
What is a union contract? What does negotiating a contract look like?
A union contract is the deal that you and your coworkers negotiate with PetSmart after you start your union and win your election. In your contract, you can advocate for the specific policies and procedures you need to thrive on the job.
When you’re negotiating your contract, you’ll go back and forth with PetSmart over your proposals, come to what’s called a “tentative agreement,” and put the contract to a vote. Once you and your coworkers vote to ratify it, your new benefits kick in - and you can start enjoying a fairer workplace!
Would starting a union threaten the things that I like about working for PetSmart?
No, it wouldn’t! In fact - it’s quite the opposite. Starting a union can actually help you protect the things you like most about your PetSmart store.
Without a union, PetSmart can take away your favorite policies and working conditions whenever they’d like. For instance, PetSmart recently attempted to “restructure” some of our departments - without notifying us or discussing these changes with us.
Having a union can help you protect yourself from these kinds of situations. With a union, PetSmart is required to negotiate with you before making any changes to store policy. This means you can safeguard everything that’s working at your store, as well as negotiate new policies that make your job even better!