Trader Joe’s files trademark infringement suit against its union

Trader Joe’s last week filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against its labor union, alleging that the branded tote bags, mugs, buttons and other merchandise it’s selling to raise money are likely to confuse shoppers.

In the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, Trader Joe’s said it is not calling on the union to stop selling all merchandise, only those products that feature the grocer’s “family of marks” such as logos and signature typeface that might imply the good are sponsored by Trader Joe’s.

A Trader Joe's United tote bag, which the grocer said infringes on its trademark. / Photo: Trader Joe's United

On June 27, Trader Joe’s sent a cease-and-desist letter to the union, demanding it stop selling the branded goods. A few days later, the union replied, saying it would not comply and that the grocer’s demand was in retaliation for unionization efforts, according to the lawsuit. As recently as July 8, the union encouraged people on Twitter to “support our work by purchasing the merch in question.”

Trader Joe's is demanding its union stop selling these buttons and other branded products. / Photo: Trader Joe's United

Monrovia, California-based Trader Joe’s is asking the court to order Trader Joe’s United to destroy any merchandise that is found to infringe on the retailer’s trademarks and is seeking unspecified monetary damages.

Trader Joe’s and its union have tussled many times since the first Trader Joe’s unionized in Hadley, Massachusetts, a year ago.

Earlier this month, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint against Trader Joe’s that alleged the grocer retaliated against pro-union workers, threatening them with frozen wages and more.

In January, workers at a Trader Joe’s store in Louisville, Kentucky, voted to join the union. But the grocer filed a complaint with the NLRB over the election, saying workers there were subject to “an atmosphere of fear and coercion” that prevented a fair vote. That vote certification remains on hold.

In April, workers at a Trader Joe’s in Oakland, California, voted in favor of unionizing, becoming the fourth store to do so.