Accusations fly against celeb-loving organic bread company

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Salon.com

While employees say Amy's Bread is threatening them to keep mum, owner says anti-union meetings are "very friendly"

Josh Eidelson

Employees of an artisanal bread company that touts its ethical credentials and celebrity shoppers alleged that their union effort was met with bare-knuckle scare tactics — including warning workers that their organic loaves could go the way of the Twinkie. As Salon first reported last month, employees at Amy’s Bread’s Queens bakery produce loaves and pastries for Whole Foods and Zabar’s, and – according to an internal newsletter – celebrities including Megan Fox and Jesse Eisenberg. While the company publicly touts its “natural ingredients” and “loyal employees,” workers allege they’re working in pain for poor pay, while enduring ongoing disrespect.

“Instead of accepting our invitation and giving dialogue a shot,” employee-activist Luis Velesaca charged in an emailed statement, “the company has threatened and pressured us.”

“Basically, I told the staff what their rights are,” countered eponymous owner-founded Amy Scherber. “Like, they can, you know, both sides of – they have their rights to support a union, or to not support a union. They can do either thing.”

In a Nov. 25 march with allied activists, a group of employees went public with demands for better pay and benefits and respect for their right to organize with the labor group Brandworkers and the Industrial Workers of the World union. (Scherber said “Only 5 or 6” of her “over 150 employees” took part in the demonstration; Brandworkers told Salon “over a dozen” employees delivered a letter signed by 23 workers.) In an emailed statement, New York City Council member and Public Advocate-elect Letitia James said she was “deeply concerned to learn about the conditions at Amy’s Bread” and “I stand with Brandworkers” in its call for change.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.salon.com/2013/12/19/accusations_fly_against_celeb_loving_organic_bread_company/

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Jesse Eisenberg, Megan Fox (Credit: AP/Arthur Mola/Jordan Strauss)

[Diego_Native 2012]

1. Sure, Amy's...

Put two SAG Union members out to represent your anti-Union position.

[tazkcmo]

2. So out of touch

I hope Amy is now aware of how little she knows about the day to day goings on in her company and and that it embarrassed her. I assume at some point in the company's growth she could have given a confident and accurate answer to some pretty basic questions like how many employees participate in the insurance program. She answered most questions like this:

“The message was that, you know, we don’t really know..." (Sums it up)
“I don’t know what a union would do..."
"Asked if overtime work had gone unpaid, she said, “I don’t think so...”

I tried to go back and count how many times she said “I don’t think so,” or "I don't know" but it hurt. Sounds like an owner/founder that enjoyed the fruits of their labor to the detriment of her ownership duties, i.e. knowing.

Knowing what happens when unions are formed (usually good stuff) and more importantly why (usually bad stuff).
Knowing if any/how many documented cases of unpaid overtime have occurred.
Knowing what percentage of employees are enrolled in Amy's health insurance program.

Hey Amy. You could always meet with your employees and ask them about their grievances. 150 employees isn't too big to rent a movie theater for an hour or two and have a meeting and at least try to come to an arrangement that ensures that the company and it's members enjoy a long and profitable future.

[PSPS]

3. I don't even know who "Jesse Eisenberg" and "Megan Fox" are.

[jmowreader]

4. They're actors

Jesse Eisenberg played Mark Zuckerberg in "The Social Network."

Megan Fox was in a couple of the Transformers movies...apparently she's the Sex Symbol of the Early 21st Century.