NYC Council Speaker Quinn Demands End to Union Lockout in Letter to Trade Fair Management

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - April 10, 2013 - PRLog -- On the morning of March 13th, nearly 100 UFCW Local 342 meat department members working in 9 Trade Fair Supermarkets throughout Queens, New York conducted an Unfair Labor Practice strike.  The reason for the strike included many alleged abuses from management including intimidation of workers, harassment of workers, and threats to terminate workers, which all resulted from these union members simply exercising their rights under the National Labor Relations Act to participate in union protected activities such as informational leafleting of customers.  After the members showed management strength and unity by conducting an Unfair Labor Practice strike on the morning of the 13th, they then offered an "unconditional return to work," in the afternoon.  However, management chose to lock them out of their jobs.  Since this time, the members of UFCW Local 342 have been out on the picket lines every day letting their voices be heard.  Currently, the union has numerous Unfair Labor Practice Charges against Trade Fair pending, including accusations that the entire lockout is illegal.  Thus far, in their fight to return to their jobs, union workers have gotten enormous support from community groups and customers, as well as elected officials.

One elected official who has emerged as a major supporter of the locked out workers is NYC Council Speaker and Mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn.  In a letter dated April 5th, Quinn demanded that Trade Fair management end the lockout and cease committing any and all Unfair Labor Practices against the union workers.  Before being sent to management’s headquarters, Quinn’s letter was also signed by a delegation of 9 Queens Council Members who are supporting the union’s cause.  These Council Members included Daniel Dromm, Jimmy Van Bramer, Julissa Ferreras, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Elizabeth Crowley, Ruben Wills, Donovan Richards, and Jim Gennaro.  According to Kate Meckler, the union’s Director of Communications, public opinion is largely stacked against Trade Fair.  “The support we have received from the Council Members and the community so far has been great, and we will continue to build alliances aimed at forcing Trade Fair to bring back their workers and follow the law,” Meckler said.

Currently, the letter is being distributed to the public by locked out workers on the picket lines to raise awareness of their situation.    

Please see below to view the contents of the letter written by Council Speaker Quinn and signed by the Queens delegation of Council Members:

April 5, 2013

Trade Fair Supermarkets

Trade Fair Corporate Office

30-12 30th Avenue

Astoria, NY 11102

To the Trade Fair Supermarket Management Team:

As members of the New York City Council, we write in support of your meat department workers and their efforts to receive fair and lawful treatment in the workplace.

We understand that UFCW Local 342 has initiated an Unfair Labor Practices strike against your business over allegations that your meat department workers have been subjected to consistent, illegal abuses at your business.

By locking out your unionized workers and attempting to replace them with inexperienced, non-unionized workers, you have not only jeopardized the livelihood of your employees’ families, but you have also endangered the health of your neighbors and our city as a whole.

The City Council will not tolerate any of our community being unjustly treated.

We call on you to do what’s right and to allow these workers to return to work so that they can begin serving their community and supporting their families again.  We also call on you to immediately cease all unfair labor practices and to treat your workers with the respect they have earned.  Trade Fair customers should take their business elsewhere until you take these actions and begin complying with all labor laws.

We hope that you will take these requests seriously, and restore your company’s status as an honest, safe, and trustworthy local food provider.