Jollibee hit with unfair labor charges by labor board

The National Labor Relations Board is moving ahead with charging the fast-food Filipino chain Jollibee with illegally firing 9 workers in New Jersey for their union organizing efforts, reports Bilyonaryo.com.

“Employers may not respond to a union organizing drive by threatening, interrogating, or spying on pro-union employees, or by promising benefits if they forget about the union,” the NLRB said in its complaint.

As a remedy, it seeks to require the chain to reinstate the workers and pay them for any damages they may have suffered.

The Board will also ask Jollibee to conduct training and to distribute information on worker’s rights to both employees and management.

It will also seek an order for the restaurant to cease and desist from engaging in unfair labor practices.

As AsAmNews previously reported the workers alleged they were fired for demanding better wages and working conditions.

The Inquire reports that Jollibee has until September 7th to respond to the complaint.

“The NLRB filing a complaint affirms the charges that we put forward. We encourage Jollibee workers to voice your concerns. Don’t let big corporations like Jollibee frighten you. We only want a better workplace for everyone,” said Mary Taino, former Jollibee worker to the Inquirer.

“There’s no joy in exploiting workers. Workers will win because we have the power of the people on our side!” the group Justice for Jollibee workers said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Bilyonaryo.com reports this is the first-ever labor charges against Jollibee in North America. The chain says the workers were let go because it has not yet recovered from the pandemic and denies they were fired for advocating for their rights.

However, the fired workers claim they were replaced by new workers two weeks later after their dismissal.