New York, NY – On Tuesday, October 4, Winifer Pena Ruiz, a recently terminated Chipotle worker, was joined by former coworkers, union members, elected officials, and community leaders for a rally outside of the Chipotle store she worked at in the Bronx at 2910 White Plains Road.
Winifer was actively engaged in union organizing efforts at Chipotle when she was fired. 32BJ SEIU has filed an unfair labor practice charge challenging her termination. Less than a month ago, Chipotle entered into a settlement of a prior unfair labor practice charge at a Brooklyn store. Under the terms of the settlement, Chipotle agreed to expunge the discipline it issued to a worker who participated in a May strike.
Her manager’s decision to fire Ms. Ruiz on September 19, 2022, came little more than 30 days after City Hall’s announcement of a $20 million settlement with Chipotle for the company’s violations of the Fair Workweek law. The same month of her termination, the New York City Council Committee on Consumer and Labor Protection held a hearing regarding two key pieces of legislation aimed at reining in fast-food companies, like Chipotle, that repeatedly violate the Fair Workweek law.
Several unions and advocates are fighting for fast food jobs in NYC to have a career path. Jobs need to be stable where workers can support families and jobs provide decent wages.
