October 29, 2013
By Stephanie West
Westbury, NY – The United States Federal government has charged Mrs. Green's Natural Markets located in Mount Kisco, New York, with multiple violations of the National Labor Relations Act. The workers at the Mount Kisco location are seeking to be represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 (UFCW), New York State's largest grocery workers Union. A trial date has been set for late November.
"All the workers wanted from Mrs. Green's was a fair, democratic election so they could choose to join UFCW Local 1500 and unite with thousands of others grocery workers in New York State who have the protection of a Union contract," said Bruce W. Both, President of UFCW Local 1500. "It is a fundamental right of all Americans to participate in an election without facing intimidation, interrogations, threats to close the store and other violations of their civil rights. Mrs. Green's management did every thing in their power to deny these workers their rights under law. Fortunately they were exposed and will now face the consequences of their actions," Both concluded.
The employees at Mrs. Green's Mount Kisco store participated in a Federally monitored election on May 3, 2013. However, the results of that election have been set aside and the Federal government is seeking a new election.
"Mrs. Green's says they are committed to good food and good health for their customers but as soon as their employees united to demand good jobs, Mrs. Green's true colors came out," said Aly Waddy, Director of Organizing for UFCW Local 1500. "What is truly amazing is the way they have chosen to treat their New York workers as opposed to their workers in Washington, D.C. Those workers belong to the UFCW. Clearly Mrs. Green's does not believe New Yorkers have the same constitutional rights as others in America. They are sadly mistaken and will see that New Yorkers will demand justice for these workers," Waddy concluded.
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.
