Trader Joe’s United, a union that represents Trader Joe’s workers, has accused the company of unlawfully terminating an employee for his support of the union and his efforts to improve working conditions at his store. The employee, Stephen Andrade, had been employed by Trader Joe’s for nearly 18 years and was responsible for creating signs at the store in Hadley, Massachusetts, which was the first to organize. Trader Joe’s United has filed a charge of unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board regarding Andrade’s termination.
According to Maeg Yosef, a spokesperson for Trader Joe’s United and an employee at the Hadley store, this firing is a clear act of retaliation, and they demand that Trader Joe’s reinstate Andrade immediately. Trader Joe’s has not yet responded to HuffPost’s request for comment.
In an interview, Andrade explained that his manager informed him that he was being fired because he failed to remove a jigsaw from the back of the store as instructed. Andrade clarified that the tool belonged to the store and had been there since before he transferred to the Hadley location nine years ago. He was asked to remove it in October, but due to the store’s busy season, he forgot. Andrade stated that between October and his termination, managers had used the saw multiple times.
Andrade, along with other employees, creates Trader Joe’s custom signage. The jigsaw was available because workers occasionally used it to cut wood. However, it had fallen into disuse and remained in the back of the store.
The incident report detailing Andrade’s termination stated that he was fired for violating safety practices by keeping a power tool in the store. The report also mentioned a pattern of Andrade not following directions. However, Andrade argued that he did not purchase the tool and did not understand why he was responsible for getting rid of it. He estimated that the jigsaw had been in the store for 15 years.
Andrade expressed his support for the union and highlighted his concerns regarding Trader Joe’s decreasing emphasis on custom signage. He claimed that managers were assigning sign-makers other tasks, such as product stocking, making it challenging for them to find time for sign design and construction. Many of the sign-makers have artistic backgrounds, including Andrade, who is an illustrator.
Firing a worker based on their union activity or efforts to improve working conditions is illegal. The National Labor Relations Board will investigate the union’s claims regarding Andrade’s termination and may pursue legal action against Trader Joe’s if there is merit to the claims.
The store in Hadley is one of four Trader Joe’s locations that have joined Trader Joe’s United since last year. This unionization wave has also affected companies like Starbucks, Amazon, and Apple. Last month, the labor board filed a complaint against Trader Joe’s for violating workers’ rights at a union store in Minneapolis.
Trader Joe’s United was initiated by Hadley workers and is not affiliated with an established labor group. The union is currently working towards negotiating the first contracts for their organized stores.
In the past, Trader Joe’s has actively opposed union efforts. Andrade mentioned that some Hadley workers have circulated a petition to remove the union from the store. He suspects that this could be another reason behind his termination, as it would reduce the union’s voting power if another election were to take place.
Due to his wife not working enough hours at Trader Joe’s to qualify for the company’s health insurance, Andrade must find alternative coverage for himself, his wife, and their daughter.
Andrade is viewing his firing as an opportunity to focus on his illustration and gallery work, possibly pursuing it full-time. However, he expressed disappointment with the impact on his family’s livelihood and the need to search for new healthcare options.
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