This week, UFCW and UFCW/RWDSU Locals throughout Region 1 participated in a day of action on July 22, 2014 to support
the eight unlawfully fired workers returning to work at Mrs. Green’s Natural
Market. The eight workers were leading
union supporters in a closely contested union election in May 2013.
Afterwards, Mrs. Green’s was federally charged
for intimidating and interrogating employees.
The charges were settled after Mrs. Green’s agreed to create a safe,
intimidation free atmosphere, and post a federally issued notice on workers’
right to organize. In January 2014 the eight
workers were unlawfully fired for “poor job performance”. The workers had over 60 years combined
experience, some of them worked at the store for over 13 years. Local 1500 filed more charges, alleging the
firings were in retaliation for their union support. Workers
had been on a picket line in front of the store for over six months until the
company settled and agreed to return the workers with back pay, days before a
federal hearing on July 24, 2014. The
day of action commemorated the workers’ victory, fighting back against a
multi-national employer.
“We're
returning to work with the same fears we had in November, when we faced
intimidation and threats before we were ultimately fired. We still need protection at work and we still
need your support. The last time we
worked inside the store, Mrs. Green’s illegal treatment of us led to the most
difficult times in our lives, so thank you all for your support!” said Yesica
Mendez, one of the eight unlawfully fired workers who returned to work on July
22.
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