8 Unlawfully Fired Workers Heading Back to Work with Pay at Mrs. Green's Natural Market after NLRB Settlement

After being federally charged by a NLRB Regional Director with unlawfully terminating 8 employees in January 2014 for "supporting a union," the Union has settled with Mrs. Green's, after agreeing to rehire workers with back-pay

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 1500 announced it has assisted eight unlawfully fired workers from Mrs. Green's in getting their jobs back with back-pay, after a Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board charged Mrs. Green's Natural Market with unlawfully terminating them because "they supported the Union."
"Mrs. Green's did everything possible to avoid unionization, including firing eight longtime workers who gave a combined over 50 years of service to the company," said UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both. "We joined the brave workers, along with the Mt. Kisco community, on a picket line in January, fighting for what we all deserve, respect at work, and today justice prevailed."
The settlement between the union and company comes days before a NLRB hearing in which Mrs. Green's faced federal charges for unlawfully threatening and intimidating workers, and ultimately firing workers who supported Local 1500.

"Our fight has been long, but it is not over," said David Ramirez, an unlawfully fired worker who worked at Mrs. Green's for nearly 10 years, "We ultimately want and need protection at work, so we and all our coworkers don't have to work in fear that if we ever stand up for our basic rights, we will be fired and on a picket line for 6 months, fighting for what we all should be guaranteed at work. Nobody in this country deserves that."

Union President Bruce W. Both, noted that, although the settlement has put workers back to work, their struggle is far from over. "In November 2013, Mrs. Green's agreed to cease their anti-union conduct, promising to provide a safe, intimidation-free work environment for the workers. We all witnessed how Mrs. Green's took that responsibility; they illegally fired eight loyal longtime workers and put them on the streets during a frigid winter, fighting for their jobs back. Now, we're here, 6-months later, and nothing has changed; the workers are still fighting for the protection on the job they need, want and deserve."

For months, the Union urged the company to reinstate all unlawfully fired workers and to spare the workers and community the expense and strain of a hearing. The evidence that Mrs. Green's acted in violation of the law was overwhelming and the NLRB Regional Director found that these workers were not fired for their job performance but simply for standing up for their basic rights at work. The Union also extended their appreciation to the Mt. Kisco community along with the politicians who stood with the unlawfully fired workers during their struggle.

When asked about returning to work, Ramirez said, "We're happy to return to serve the community that stood with us during our struggle. We want respect, protection and security at work once we return."

Visit www.mrsgreeds.com for more information.

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Mrs. Green's Natural Market Unlawfully Terminated Employees, Breached Settlement Agreement, NLRB Region Finds

Unlawfully terminated workers walk a picket line at Mrs. Green's

 A National Labor Relations Board Regional Director charged Mrs. Green's Natural Market with unlawfully terminating eight employees in January 2014 for "supporting a union," and set the case for trial on July 14.

After an internal investigation by a Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board, the Director has found merit to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 1500's unfair labor practice charges alleging that Mrs. Green's Natural Market unlawfully terminated 8 employees because they supported the Union.

The Regional Director also revoked a previous settlement of unfair labor practices (November 2013) between Local 1500, the NLRB and Mrs. Green's. In that settlement, Mrs. Green's agreed to cease their anti-union conduct, promising to create a safe, intimidation-free work environment for the workers. The company also agreed to post a notice in their store for 60 days that informed all employees of their basic rights at work, including the right to form and organize a union. In a complete disrespect for the settlement with the government and workers' rights, during a one week span in January, Mrs. Green's abruptly fired 8 leading Union supporters, some of whom had met with local politicians about their campaign. The company then ripped the required notice from the walls of their store prior to the end of the 60-day period.

A Federal Labor Complaint was then issued against Mrs. Green's, alleging that Mrs. Green's violated the law when it terminated Union supporters Luis Alomoto, Helen Fuentes, Yessica Mendez, Elvia Miguel, Elena Perez, David Ramirez, Martha Urgiles, and Leoncio Naranjo. The Complaint also alleged: Mrs. Green's maintenance of unlawful confidentiality and no solicitation rules; interrogations about Union activity; creating the impression of surveillance of Union activity; threats that supporting the Union is futile; threats workers would not receive wage increases and other benefits if they supported the Union; threats the company would declare bankruptcy if the Union came in; and promises of benefits if the Union was rejected.

The trial will be heard before an Administrative Law Judge of the NLRB in July. "We're confident that we will receive justice," said David Ramirez who worked at Mrs. Green's in Mt. Kisco for nearly 10 years until he was fired this January, "We could not have gotten this far and received this decision without the support from the Union and the Mt. Kisco community, who have walked the picket line with us during a cold winter. That meant a lot to all of us and gave us support and energy to continue to hold strong and fight for our rights," said Ramirez.

The Union is urging the company to reinstate all unlawfully fired workers, "We are urging the Company to reinstate the unlawfully terminated workers immediately and spare the workers and community the expense and strain of a hearing," said UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both, "The evidence is overwhelming that these workers were not fired for performance issues, but were intimidated, threatened, and then fired for simply standing up for their basic rights at work."

UFCW Local 1500 Organizing Director, Aly Waddy, explained the fear managers instilled in the workers, "Workers were escorted out of the store when they were terminated. If you need a federal judge's order to put you back to work, it's obvious it's not what your boss wants to do, and there's an obvious fear that you're always going to have after going through something that devastating," Waddy explained. When asked about returning to work, Ramirez simply said, "We want respect, protection and security at work once we return."

Since January, the fired workers have received an outpouring of support from community and politicians who have called for a boycott of the store. The picket line remains up at 666 Lexington Ave. Mt. Kisco, NY. Last week, days after the federal complaint was issued and after 18 months on the job, Mrs. Green's parent company, Natural Market Food Group CEO Robin Michel was ousted.

Visit ufcw1500.org/greenismean for more information.

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As Mrs. Green's Announces NYC Expansion Plans, Illegally Fired Workers Head to City for May Day Support

United Food and Commercial Workers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fired Workers to Educate Community, Public and Elected Officials on Mrs. Green's Natural Market Employment Practices

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers union, will be celebrating May Day in New York City with workers from Mrs. Green's Natural Market who were illegally fired in January for supporting the union.

The gourmet "natural" market, Mrs. Green's, recently announced its plans to open their first New York City store in Manhattan's West Village, touting its natural, "amazing local organic products" would be a perfect fit with the "progressive foodies" of the West Village.
UFCW Local 1500 stated that Mrs. Green's characterization of the West Village overlooks a key attribute, "New York City communities, especially the West Village, aren't just progressive foodies, they're progressive communities," said Union President Bruce W. Both, "They will not stand for a company that abolishes rights from its workers, and will demand more than natural, local products from company that has a track record of violating their workers' rights," said Union President Bruce W. Both.

Mrs. Green's Natural Market was federally charged in 2013 with violating its workers rights and intimidating workers during a union election at its Mt. Kisco store. The charges were settled in November and Mrs. Green's agreed to create an intimidation free work environment for their employees. Two months later in January 2014, Mrs. Green's Natural Market fired 9 longtime employees who supported the union, after some met with local elected officials on their federally protected rights, which include organizing a union. Some employees had been working with the company for over a decade, and a majority of them had been employed for over six years.
Since the firings workers have been on a picket line in front of the Mt. Kisco store, and have received an outpour of support from the Mt. Kisco community, including local New York State Assembly Members David Buchwald and Shelly Mayer. Federal charges have been filed against the company and a response from the National Labor Relations Board is expected very shortly.

On May Day, the International Day for Workers, the illegally fired workers from Mrs. Green's Natural Market in Mt. Kisco will be joining hundreds of workers throughout Manhattan at numerous rallies, marches and actions, to educate the public, politicians and the West Village community on how Mrs. Green's treats and views its workers.

"We're excited to get the support from workers across New York," said David Ramirez, a former Mrs. Green's worker for over 10 years, who was fired in January, "When they hear what happened to us, they tell us to stay strong and we are with you, it's very powerful and emotional to hear that," Ramirez said. UFCW Local 1500 is calling for the fired workers to be put back to work.

For more on the campaign visit: http://www.ufcw1500.org/organize/mrs-greens-is-mean

Customers to Call for Boycott at Mrs. Green's Natural Market in Mt. Kisco, Joining Fired Workers on Picket Line

Customers to Call for Boycott at Mrs. Green's Natural Market in Mt. Kisco, Join Fired Workers on Picket Line

Community members are calling for boycott at Mrs. Green's Natural Market and demanding 9 long-term employees are reinstated

Related Media

Fired workers on picket line in front of the Mt. Kisco store

• Former 10-year employee of Mrs. Green's Mt. Kisco handbills customers to let them know she was fired

Nine longtime workers were recently fired from their jobs at Mrs. Green's Natural Market in Mt. Kisco, N.Y.. Most workers have been with the company for over a decade. Workers were recently speaking with elected officials on organizing a union and improving their workplace. When customers heard about the firings, they were outraged and are now demanding the fired workers they have come to know over the last 10-years be reinstated. Community members are joining the picket line to demonstrate to the company they will not stand for this kind of treatment of employees.

WHO:	Westchester community members, former Mrs. Greens customers, 9 fired workers from Mrs. Green's Mt. Kisco, UFCW Local 1500.
WHAT:	Community members and former customers to protest the firings of 9 long-time employees and demand workers are reinstated.
WHEN:	Saturday February 08, 2014 at 10:00AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE:	Mrs. Green's Natural Market 666 Lexington Ave. Mt. Kisco, New York 10549
NOTES:	Photo/video opportunities, customer interviews, fired worker interviews, union spokesperson interviews. www.ufcw1500.org

Related articles

• Mt. Kisco Natural Market Fires Nine Employees After Meeting With Elected Officials on Union Campaign

9 Longtime Mrs. Green's Natural Market Workers to Mt. Kisco Customers: "We're Fired."

Happy New Year from Mrs. Green's, you're fired.

Since nine workers were abruptly fired from Mrs. Green's Natural Market in Mt. Kisco for "poor customer service", they've taken their fight to the streets, notifying customers of the disrespect and malice Mrs. Green's Natural Market showed them, most who were employees of over 10 years.

"We want to tell the community how Mrs. Green's treated us," said David Rameriez, who until two weeks ago worked for Mrs. Green's for over eight years, "They pride themselves on good food and good health, and as a neighborhood store...But they've shown no commitment to us, they've disrespected us."

Mrs. Green's Natural Market fired nine workers two-weeks ago for "poor customer service".  All of the terminated workers supported the union in an election last year, and some recently met with politicians and the union on working conditions at the store.

 "We're not backing down, we're letting the community members know what we've served over the last decade.  Most of them know us and once they've heard how Mrs. Green's treated us, they told us they support us and will tell management they support us," Rameriez said.

Throughout the weekend, community members were outraged that the "Natural Market" would sink this low and fire long-time employees for "poor customer service".  Many went inside to tell management their feelings, some left immediately saying they would no longer support the store and some even took to Twitter (left), like Rita Tobin, a longtime customer who won't be shopping at the store anymore.

UFCW Local 1500 organizers and the nine fired workers have been working hand in hand in alerting the public and putting Mrs. Green's on notice.  UFCW Local 1500 has filed federal charges against Mrs. Green's for the firings, calling them "retaliation" for supporting the union.

Support the workers on their picket line at:

666 Lexington Ave #1, Mt Kisco, NY 10549

Call management and tell them you support the nine fired workers at: (914) 242-9292



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 email info@ufcw1500.org for more info or questions.

Mt. Kisco Natural Market Fires Nine Employees After Meeting With Elected Officials on Union Campaign

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.

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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.