Elmwood Taco and Subs workers went on strike for part of Wednesday to protest what they said is an illegal union-busting campaign waged by ownership.
Workers said their hours have been drastically cut in retaliation for forming a union and that they have been subject to bullying, harassment and unfair treatment.
Workers voted 10 to 4 in favor of the union, with five challenged ballots. The five challenged ballots would not change the outcome of the vote.
Union leader Abel Lopez said he used to work four to five days per week, but he has now been cut down to two days. That has made it difficult for him to pay for rent, bills and groceries, he said.
“We’ve dealt with harassment and a bunch of retaliation ever since we started the union, and it’s just gotten progressively worse,” he said.
Management has purposely left stores understaffed and is verbally abusive to workers, he said.
Workers voted 10 to 4 in favor of the union, with five challenged ballots. The five challenged ballots would not change the outcome of the vote.
“Just the way they talk down to us very belittling,” he said. “It’s a very toxic environment, and all we want to do is make it better.”
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Workers are demanding employers restore their hours immediately and commit to bargaining in good faith with the union.
They launched their organizing campaign in October and voted to join the Workers United union last week. It is the same union that organized Spot Coffee, Starbucks and Lexington Co-op workers in Buffalo.
ETS ownership declined to answer questions, but gave a statement. The store remained open during the walkout.
“Elmwood Taco and Subs management values our employees and customers. We will continue working with our employees to provide our customers with high quality food and customer service that our customers expect. Thank you Buffalo for supporting our family-owned and operated business for almost 50 years.”
Elmwood Taco & Subs employees are organizing with Workers United Upstate New York, continuing a trend of unions expanding their efforts with workers in the local restaurant industry.
Workers voted 10 to 4 in favor of the union, with five challenged ballots. The five challenged ballots would not change the outcome of the vote.
Before the vote took place, union organizers said the fast-food restaurant broke the law in its quest to return a “no” vote.
In an effort to discourage unionizing, ETS held a mandatory meeting, cut worker hours and interrogated workers about union activity, according to workers. All of those activities are illegal, and workers have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board.