Trader Joe’s in Oakland latest store accused of union-busting

Trader Joe’s is being accused of more union-busting tactics, as a complaint from a store in Oakland, Calif., has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

In the complaint, workers accuse a manager of several actions to discourage the formation of a union in March 2023, including calling the group a “gang” when the employees handed the manager a letter of intent to form a union.

The manager also threatened to transfer an employee to another store if a union was formed, said that hours would be reduced and the store could close, refused to allow employees to engage in union conversation during work hours, and forced employees into a mandatory meeting while the manager presented their views on unions.

There also was an attempt to stop interaction on social media with posts that consisted of union-forming language.

The manager also created a new rule that prohibited workers from engaging in pro or anti-union campaigning 48 hours prior to the union vote.

The union was approved by a 73-53 count in April 2023.

Trader Joe’s must file a response to the complaint by April 16 and a hearing will be conducted on Oct. 8.

The retailer and NLRB have been involved in several complaints over the last few months.

In late January, a complaint was filed by the NLRB after a Trader Joe’s in New York City’s Union Square closed a wine shop allegedly because of unionization efforts by employees. Trader Joe’s has since opened a Pronto store in its space.

According to the complaint, after employees were interrogated about union activities, they were told they could lose their benefits if a union were to be formed, and that management would not bargain with a union.

The NLRB wanted the store to be reopened with the original staff, who would then be allowed to form a union.

Also, in January the NLRB heard union-busting complaints from a store in Hadley, Mass.

There were several allegations that the store retaliated against employees due to the forming of the union. The Hadley location was the first Trader Joe’s where workers voted to unionize.

However, a group of workers at the Hadley store wants to decertify from the union, Trader Joe’s United.

Trader Joe’s did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.