| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 31, 2001 |
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All Hole, No Donut for Dunkin' Donuts' Workers Even Homer Simpson would be ashamed to eat a donut from Dunkin' Donuts. America's most famous donut lover couldn't stomach what's happening to workers at the donut giant's Mid-Atlantic Distribution Center in Swedesboro, New Jersey. Illegal firings, harassment, coercion and threats have left workers with a bitter taste after sampling Dunkin' Donuts' union busting tactics for almost 3 years. Workers are standing up, standing together and putting a stop to the company's outlaw conduct. Workers are going on strike to force the donut retailer to recognize their rights under federal labor law. Picket lines are set to go up at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2001. Workers voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to authorize an unfair labor practice strike against Dunkin' Donuts. The warehouse and delivery workers organized for a voice with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1360 in 1998. The National Labor Relations Board ordered the company to immediately bargain with the workers' union, and to cease from further violations of worker rights under federal labor law. Workers have been without a contract since organizing in 1998 and have endured hundreds of illegal and anti-worker actions at the hands of management. Thirteen workers were fired during the organizing drive for standing up for their legal right to have a union. The Labor Board ordered them back to work, yet Dunkin' Donuts continues to refuse to compensate them for the back wages they are due. Some of the same workers have been fired again and Dunkin' Donuts faces new Board charges for illegal retaliation against its employees. "Dunkin' Donuts is running its business like they are immune from federal law, and we won't stand for it anymore. We have rights on the job, and we're ready to fight to protect those rights," said Bill McCorry, a long-time Dunkin' Donuts truck driver. The donut giant violated federal law that protects workers' right to organize for a voice on the job by:
UFCW Local 1360 represents 10,000 workers in the retail, service, health care and government service fields in southern NewJersey and Bucks County, Pennsylvania. United Food and Commercial Workers Union: A Voice for Working America www.ufcw.org |
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