Two Portland-area Fred Meyer workers accuse local union of unlawful retaliation

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two Portland-area Fred Meyer workers have claimed a local union unlawfully retaliated against them when they tried to leave the organization amid an employee strike.

The National Right To Work Legal Defense Foundation revealed that Coyesca Vasquez and Reegin Schafer filed federal charges against United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 555 earlier this month.

On Aug. 28, more than 4,500 Fred Meyer employees throughout the region launched a week-long strike — accusing the grocery chain of unfair labor practices. NRTW reported that Vasquez and Schafer exercised their right to leave the union and return to work on Aug. 30, but UFCW responded by telling them “the union had started internal proceedings against them and their presence would soon be required at a union ‘trial.’”

These trials sometimes result in fines for workers accused of violating union policies.

The Defense Foundation stated that employees cannot be subjected to internal union discipline if they aren’t voluntary members. According to the organization, other UFCW officials issued fines against grocery store employees in Colorado who chose to work during a strike. The plaintiffs alleged the “unlawful fines” cost more than what employees earn in full workday.

“UFCW union officials are again displaying their penchant for using strikes to consolidate power, by threatening rank-and-file workers who exercise their Right to Work during a UFCW strike,” NRTW President Mark Mix said in a statement. “Workers have a clear legal right to resign from union membership and return to work without facing illegal fines or disciplinary actions.”

In response, UFCW Local 555 Communications Coordinator Miles Eshaia told KOIN 6 News that the organization’s members take their constitution seriously.

“It is through the upholding of the principles in these guiding documents that our recent successful negotiations were rooted, and we will continue to adhere to and enforce the principles and agreements they contain,” Eshaia added in an email.