Jimmy John's union push fails in Minneapolis

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

MINNEAPOLIS—A group of employees at 10 Jimmy John's sandwich shops in Minneapolis have narrowly failed to pass a vote to form what would have been a rare union of fast-food restaurant employees.

Ayo Collins, a delivery driver who helped organize the union vote, says Friday that 85 employees voted for the union and 87 voted against it. The owners of the 10 restaurants strongly opposed the effort.

Organizers needed a majority of yes votes in order to be recognized by the National Labor Relations Board, which would have forced the owners to negotiate salaries and benefits with workers.

Collins says he believes the organizing vote failed because too many workers were worried it could have put their jobs at risk. He says union supporters will continue to meet and strategize.

Read more: http://www.twincities.com/ci_16410004?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

---

The NLRB is still investigating several unfair labor charges and could hold another election if the charges are upheld!

[The Northerner]

1. This better be investigated

[unkachuck]

2. "...were worried it could have put their jobs at risk."

....do you know what else could put your job at risk?

....me and other Union supporters losing our appetite for Jimmy John's.

[The Last Democratic]

5. Union.

unkachuck  
"....me and other Union supporters losing our appetite
for Jimmy John's."  
Right on.
Kelly

[unkachuck]

9. thanks, Kelly....

....and a big Happy Union Welcome to DU!!

[jmowreader]

3. Those 85 will be tracked down and fired

Minnesota is not a right-to-get-fired state, but fast food workers are "at will" meaning they can be canned for any or no reason. "Oh, we're not making numbers this quarter, we're going to have to lay some of you off."

[awoke_in_2003]

4. "tracked down and fired"...

yes, they will. Me and a friend tried to organize our sim shop. At the time we were owned by GE. Four hours after the petition was filed, a NY HR person was in our building holding "meetings". No matter how many people you think support you, you are wrong. People break easily, and their are rats everywhere. I left before they got me.

[Scruffy1]

6. It ain't over

We'll continue the struggle and the great people who organized this are now seasoned organizers. This election will probably be contested and anything could happen. Solidarity Forever

[pezDispenser]

7. really?

Collins says he believes the organizing vote failed because too many workers were worried it could have put their jobs at risk.

Your minimum wage fast food job, held by mostly teenagers and could be replaced in a week, is more important than workers rights?

We've got some educating to do.

[carlos3k]

8. Unfazed by near tie, Jimmy John’s Workers vow to continue campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jimmy Johns Workers Union (Industrial Workers of the World)
Contact: Erik Forman, 612-598-6205, Ayo Collins 612-281-0882

October 22, 2010

Unfazed by near tie, Jimmy John’s Workers vow to continue campaign

Workers report widespread illegal activity by company

MINNEAPOLIS – Workers at 10 Jimmy John’s franchise locations in
Minneapolis are crying foul after a near tie in a union certification
election marred by misconduct by owner MikLin enterprises. 85 workers
voted in favor of unionization and 87 against, with two unknown
contested ballots. Under the National Labor Relations Act, a tie goes to
the employer.

Workers reported strong evidence of several violations of the National
Labor Relations Act on and before election day, including attempted
bribes of workers, management asking workers to wear anti-union pins,
threats of mass firings, and anti-union firings. MikLin Enterprises
currently stands charged with 22 alleged violations of the National
Labor Relations Act.

“We are extremely disappointed with the company’s conduct in this
matter; rather then letting simply letting us vote, management chose to
break the law repeatedly during the last six weeks. They spent over
$84,500 on a vicious anti-union smear campaign, that's over $1000 per
vote. We do not recognize these election results as legitimate and will
continue to fight for our demands,” said Erik Forman, a worker at Jimmy
John’s and a union member.

Ayo Collins, a delivery driver, says the union “hasn’t put all their
eggs in one basket” and has multiple avenues of action still open to
them. He says the union is considering taking legal action against the
company over their misconduct in the runup to the election.

"In a company with turnover approaching 50% each month, a majority at
any given moment only means so much. We have a mandate- more than 85 of
us are committed to continuing the fight for decent wages, consistent
scheduling, sick days, and the basic respect and dignity that all
workers deserve. This is just the beginning of the fight," said Collins.

The Jimmy Johns Workers Union, open to employees at the company
nationwide, is the first fast food union in the nation, and is
affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. Gaining
prominence in recent years for organizing Starbucks workers, the IWW is
a global union founded over a century ago for all working people.

##

JimmyJohnsWorkers.org