LOCAL
NLRB charges Space Needle with unlawful actions (again)
SEATTLE (Nov. 4, 2015) — The Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board issued another complaint Friday against the Space Needle, LLC. The complaint alleges multiple violations of the National Labor Relations Act, including the unlawful firing of Space Needle worker Fernando Jimenez.
Jimenez, a servers’ assistant at the SkyCity Restaurant and a union activist, had worked at the Needle for seven years when management wrongfully fired him in March, 2015.
“I feel like I was treated unfairly and I’m glad to see them being held accountable,” said Jimenez.
According to the complaint, the Space Needle fired Jimenez “because Jimenez assisted the Union and engaged in concerted activities, and to discourage employees from engaging in these or other, protected, concerted activities.”
UNITE HERE Local 8 is calling on the Space Needle to bring Jimenez back to work immediately and to compensate him for lost wages.
“This job meant a lot to me and my family. I’m doing what I feel is right, for myself and other employees, so no one else has to be in this situation,” said Jimenez.
Friday’s complaint brings to 14 the number of unfair labor practice charges filed against the Needle since the company unilaterally terminated its union contract with Local 8 in March, 2012.
Earlier this year, the NLRB upheld a previous Administrative Law Judge decision which found the Space Needle discriminated against two SkyCity restaurant servers for union activity, refusing to recall Tracy McCauley and Julia Dube to work after a routine seasonal layoff. McCauley and Dube are still awaiting reinstatement and backpay as the Space Needle has appealed the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Despite repeated findings of wrongdoing, the Space Needle continues its shameless anti-union campaign with total disregard for the impact these unlawful terminations have on workers and their families,” said Local 8 President Erik Van Rossum. “How can workers trust the Space Needle to protect their jobs from subcontracting when management continues to use the threat of job loss as a tool for intimidation?”
The Regional Director’s complaint will now be forwarded to an Administrative Law Judge for a February hearing.
UNITE HERE Local 8, the hospitality union of the Pacific Northwest, represents nearly 5,000 workers in hospitality and foodservice throughout Washington and Oregon, including SkyCity restaurant employees, banquet servers, elevator operators, greeters, and other workers at the Space Needle.
PREVIOUSLY at The Stand:
Space Needle workers celebrate raises as contract talks continue (July 20)