Hannaford Workers Speak Out Against So-Called Anti-Union Actions

Some former Hannaford workers gathered in Bangor Wednesday to speak out against what they say are anti-union practices within the grocery store chain.

The workers were also joined by members of the Maine People's Alliance and the group, Food and Medicine.

They say they want to put an end to what they call Hannaford's misinformation and intimidation campaign against the Employee Free Choice Act.

The legislation, which is pending in Congress, would make it easier for employees to form unions.

The folks with the Maine People's Alliance say they've heard dozens of stories about Hannaford employees being harassed at work. Here's what Kate Brennan had to say:
"Workers being called into mandatory meetings. There being anti-union signs in the break rooms. Actually managers meeting with workers and telling them they shouldn't support the Employee Free Choice Act, a piece of legislation."

A spokesperson for Hannaford says the company believes that open and direct conversation between employees and managers is the best way to resolve issues.

He adds that while the company believes everyone's interests are best served without a third-party union, Hannaford does follow all labor laws and regulations.

Print this Story

I happen to be a supporter of unions in most cases, in fact every worker should have a union it is only when the union uses greenmail (blackmail) or creates walls between functions employees can do that they are abominable. Unions help to eliminate descrimination, enforce laws, promote worker safety and benefit regulations and help members in time of crisis. However this bill is not about freedom to unionise, almost everyone has that right now and the new law will not expand any rights to form a union. What it will do is create "closed shops," which means that everyone who works for the business will have to pay full union dues and fees whether or not they want to be in the union. The current practice is that only certain businesses with certain aspects of closed shops can force all employees to contribute to the union based upon what the union claims it spent to negociate wages and benefits. Those who choose not to be members do not have to pay initiation or other benefit fees nor do they get any benefit other then the negociated wage and benifits paid by the employer. This bill is nothing more then a way for unions to get additional revenues.

Reader Cal missed another option that unions have offered those who do not wish to join: the employee can donate the amount of the union dues to a favorite charity. Whether an open shop or closed shop, all employees benefit from the benefits which the union's representatives have negotiated for the membership. When the Registered Nurses organized and ratified their first contract a couple of decades ago, working conditions improved for all departments, not just the RNs. Unions in the early part of the 20th century brought job security and safer working conditions to those who built our current workplace equality; I find it shameful that employees still need protection from their employers in this "enlightened" 21st century.

All departments in businesses with union did not improve. EMMC has many things limited to the other staff departments than the Nurse's have granted by the union.