(NLRB) Trial of Jimmy John's Bosses for Mass Firing of Whistleblower Workers Begins Today (2-14-12 )

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.iww.org/en/content/trial-jimmy-johns-bosses-mass-firing-whistleblower-workers-begins-today-organizers-vow-conti

Posted Tue, 02/14/2012 - 6:39pm by IWW.org Editor

Trial: 9:00am Tuesday, January 14th; National Labor Relations Board Hearing Room, 330 2nd Ave. S. #790, Minneapolis, MN

MINNEAPOLIS- Six Jimmy John's workers fired nearly one year ago for blowing the whistle on company policies which force workers to make sandwiches while sick will get their day in court today. In November, the NLRB ruled that the March 2011 mass firing, as well as an anti-union Facebook group used by the employer, violated federal labor law. Organizers allege that the firing was a calculated attempt by franchise owners Mike and Rob Mulligan to decapitate the first unionization effort in the nation's fast food industry.

Erik Forman, one of the fired workers in the case, said, “Mike and Rob Mulligan and their corporate backers fired us in an attempt to silence our voice for sick days, decent wages, and respect in the fast food industry. They think that by dragging this out through the courts for years, they can stop the inevitable. They are wrong. From Jimmy John's to Greece, the 99% are finding their voice, and when we begin to speak, the 1% of this planet will have no choice but to listen.”

In an industry characterized by poverty wages and disrespect for workers despite corporate profits in the billions, the unionization effort at Jimmy John's has inspired millions across the world that change is possible. However, corporate resistance to reform has been stiff, frequently crossing over into illegality.

Jimmy John's workers filed for an union election in September 2010, coming within a hairs-breadth of victory in an 85-87 vote that the NLRB later threw out due to over 30 employer violations of labor rights in the election period.

FULL story at link.

[jsmirman]

1. K&R *

nm

[rurallib]

2. Wasn't there also an issue of Jimmy John's forcing employees to use

tainted meat? In Minneapolis also? or am I all wet on that.
Anyway - best wishes for the union winning.