Though the Jimmy John’s employees in Baltimore have only been informally organizing for about six months, they say their nascent efforts have already prompted harsh responses from management, including interrogation of employees about union activities. Last week, union supporters filed six unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), arguing that such behavior is a form of illegal workplace discipline and harassment.
In addition to their recent anti-union maneuvers, Jimmy John’s managers—who together own all three Baltimore locations—have generally failed to recognize the legitimate grievances of workers, says Isaac Dalto, a delivery driver at the restaurant’s Inner Harbor location. According to Dalto, these demands include higher pay, employee-friendly scheduling of work shifts, paid sick days, time-and-a-half pay for delivery divers working in hazardous weather conditions, and a harassment-free workplace.
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