Our Mission
Brandworkers supports NYC food manufacturing workers to organize their workplaces into strong, worker-led unions — building dignified jobs and power in society.
Our Vision
What We're Building Toward
A food system where food factory workers set dignified working conditions and democratically operate the industry through direct action, solidarity, and worker-led unions. One dignified, family-supporting employment standard for every worker in the local food industry — maintained and enhanced by the agency of rank-and-file workers themselves.
Founded in Queens
Our Story
Born in the Food Factories of Queens
Founded in Queens, NY in 2007, Brandworkers is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local food factory workers with the training, infrastructure, and community to build unions for dignified jobs and power in society.
With 35,000 workers, NYC's local food industry brings $5 billion to our communities. But our communities can't afford the risks of a business model built on exploitation. Brandworkers was built on the belief that food factory workers — the majority of whom are immigrants and people of color — deserve the power to transform their own conditions.
After over fifteen years in NYC, Brandworkers has grown to support workers in North Jersey, building power across the metropolitan specialty food manufacturing industry. We work with each group of workers to understand their situation and help them decide what organizing goal makes most sense for them — building a solidarity union, joining an established union, or forming an independent union. Workers lead. We support.
How We Work
Our Organizing Model
One-on-One Organizing
Our organizers build relationships directly with food workers — listening, building trust, and helping workers identify their own power. Change begins in one-on-one conversations.
Worker-Led Campaigns
Workers themselves drive every campaign. Our job is to provide the training, research, and infrastructure so worker-leaders can organize their own coworkers and build collective power.
Direct Action
When employers ignore workers' demands, we escalate. Rallies, petitions, public pressure — workers and allies taking coordinated action to win real changes in real workplaces.
Training & Education
We train worker-leaders in labor rights, organizing strategy, and union building. Knowledge is power, and we work to ensure workers have the skills to lead themselves.
Ally Community
Through El Hormiguero, our network of allies — researchers, advocates, community members — provides critical support to worker-led campaigns through research, outreach, and solidarity.
Transparency & Financials
We're Accountable to Our Community
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we publish our financial statements, bylaws, and tax returns publicly. Because workers deserve organizations they can trust.