Embattled Seafood Company Illegally Paid Anti-Union Protesters and Fired Another Union Supporter After Interrogation

For Immediate Release:

Brandworkers International

Contact: press (at) brandworkers.org

October 23, 2008

Embattled Seafood Company Illegally Paid Anti-Union Protesters and Fired Another Union Supporter After Interrogation

New York, NY- The National Labor Relations Board has issued another complaint against Wild Edibles, Inc., a once well-regarded seafood wholesaler and retailer.  Based on an investigation triggered by charges from the Industrial Workers of the World, the federal labor agency has accused Wild Edibles of interrogating and firing employee Julio Carbonel for organizing with the IWW and of paying replacement workers in an attempt to disrupt a labor rally.

The Board's complaint is the third in less than a year against Wild Edibles.  The company is also subject to a class action overtime and retaliation lawsuit in federal court.  Advocates hold that Wild Edibles and its owner Richard Martin have fired or forced out twelve workers for asserting their rights.  The Labor Board trial against Wild Edibles is set to begin on November 18, 2008 at 9:30am at Two MetroTech Center North, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, New York.

Brandworkers is a New York-based non-profit protecting and advancing  the rights of retail and food employees.  The Brandworkers Focus on the Food Chain campaign is providing legal, advocacy, and organizing  support to the Wild Edibles employees.  Workers have been campaigning  for over a year to reclaim unlawfully withheld overtime pay and win  respect on the job.  Over forty of New York's most celebrated  restaurants have stopped serving Wild Edibles over labor abuse concerns.

http://www.Brandworkers.org