Jewel-Osco Violates Federal Labor For Anti-Union Practice

| July 6, 2020

On June 19th, the National Labor Relation Board issued a complaint against Jewel Osco, a subsidiary of Albertsons, after the Region found merit with the Unfair Labor Practice Charge filed by Local 727 over Osco’s blatant violation of the National Labor Relations Act. The Complaint states that Osco violated federal labor law by “interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act in violation of Section 8(a)(1)”.

In February, fed up with Osco’s delay tactics and bad faith behavior, Osco pharmacists and technicians wore buttons in proud solidarity which read “I STAND WITH TEAMSTERS LOCAL 727 PHARMACISTS!” for their demand for a fair contract. In response, a member of Osco management forced a pharmacist to remove his Union button in direct violation of the employee’s rights which are protected under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.  After hearing of this unlawful action by Osco, the Union immediately filed an unfair labor practice charge against Osco.

Prior to issuing complaint against Osco, Region 13 of the National Labor Relations Board contacted to see if the Company would sign onto a settlement. Settling would potentially require the company to post a notice to their employees stating that they violated the National Labor Relations Act and that they agreed not to continue to do so in the future—because of this, Osco instead forced the NLRB to take the ULP to complaint. Rather than admit they violated the law and focus on what really matters, Osco opted to spend time and resources on fighting the unfair labor practice. The full version of the complaint issued against Osco can be found HERE.

“This sort of obvious anti-union and unlawful behavior is utterly shameful.” Said John Coli, Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727. “Osco management is more worried about their image than they are about the frontline, essential pharmacists who are risking their lives every day to service the public. This is just another example of Osco’s anti-worker tactics. They would rather fight over a Union button which members have the legal right to wear than show up to the table to negotiate a fair and equitable contract. Time and time again, our 727 pharmacists show Osco that they are united and won’t be bullied into taking less than they deserve. Teamsters Local 727 will use every avenue available to us to protect our pharmacists and stand up to this corporate bully. I am proud of our pharmacists for speaking up so that the Union could step in!”

If you are approached by management about your union support, or if you have any questions, please reach out to your Local 727 Business Representative, Sean McGough, at (847) 696-7500.

Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.

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Category: Osco, PHARMACY

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