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| Official Logo, UFCW Local 1500 |
"Mrs.
Green's Natural Market Fires 9 Longtime Employees for Supporting Union"-
Labor Union
Union
says 9 longtime employees were abruptly fired after supporting union and
meeting with local politicians on improving working conditions
After standing up for their basic civil rights and
speaking to local elected officials about solving problems at their job, nine
workers from Mrs. Green's Natural Market in Mt. Kisco, NY were abruptly fired
last week. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500 called the
firings '"retaliation" for standing up for "basic, protected,
civil rights" and "supporting the union".
All of nine fired employees supported the union in a
highly contested union election in May 2013. After employees filed charges that
Mrs. Green's was violating their civil rights, the Federal Government charged
Mrs. Green’s with violating labor laws.
Subsequently, Mrs. Green's committed in writing, to the National Labor
Relations Board that it would respect its employees' rights to join and support
a union, and refrain from retaliation. It posted a federally-issued notice in
the Mt. Kisco store, informing employees of their basic rights at work,
including the right to organize a union.
Reneging on its promise to the workers and the government,
it has fired nine long-term employees, eight of whom have been with the company
for over seven years and the least senior for over three years.
"They told me I was fired for poor customer service
and that sales were low," said David Ramirez, an eight year employee who
was fired last week. "It came as a shock to me and all of us, we were all
told the same reasons for being fired. It's not a coincidence that all of us
supported the union. I just stood up for what I believe in," said Ramirez.
The union has filed federal charges against the company
on behalf of the fired employees and is planning a comprehensive public
outreach campaign with Mt. Kisco community members. "Not only are the
firings a retaliation, but Mrs. Green's has demonstrated a clear disrespect for
labor law, and basic civil rights of their employees," said
Secretary-Treasurer Tony Speelman, "These brave employees were not just on
the job for a few days, some of them have over 10 years experience at Mrs.
Green's. It disgusts me a company would sink this low to prevent workers from
banding together to improve their workplace."
"It is a fundamental right of all Americans to
participate in a union election without facing intimidation, interrogations,
threats that their store will close and they will lose their jobs. Mrs. Green's
management did every thing in their power to deny these workers their rights
under law," Union Organizing Director Aly Waddy said, "Now, with these
unjust firings, Mrs. Green's is following through with their threats, they've
fired employees who have stood up for their fundamental rights as Americans,
and intimidated even more workers."
"Mrs. Green's pledges a commitment to good food and
good health for their customers but as soon as we united to demand good jobs,
Mrs. Green's true colors came out," said Marta Urgiles, an employee of
over 10 years who was fired last week, "We've supported the company and
community of Mt. Kisco for years, for it to end like this, right after the
holidays, is despicable" said Urgiles.
Community members throughout Mt. Kisco were outraged to
hear the news of the firings and have reached out to the fired workers to
pledge their support.
###
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of
Westbury, New York, represents grocery workers in New York City, Long Island,
Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed
by A&P/Pathmark, Fairway, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, D'Agastino, Key Food,
Shop Rite and King Kullen. Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, facebook.com/ufcw1500, www.ufcw1500.org.
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