MJP –
After devastating closures at 10 locations sparked protests in the nation’s capital, 150 workers have lost their jobs.
A news conference was organized on July 25th by employees of Homegrown sandwich shops in the greater Seattle area in protest of the company’s intention to close 10 stores around the state.
South Seattle Emerald reports that 150 jobs would be cut as a result of this decision, which would take effect on September 15th.
Following an email from Homegrown CEO Brad Gillis on July 18th notifying staff of the company’s plans, the news of these closures and terminations was made shortly after.
Based in Seattle, Homegrown is well-known for its sandwiches and salads made with ingredients acquired from the surrounding area.
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Worker outcry against management’s handling of layoffs and treatment of employees, in general, has been a major response to the company’s activities.
All indications are that the employees who have gathered for the news conference are demonstrating against what they perceive as the company’s unjust or poorly handled firings.
They seem to be publicly demonstrating a rising labor disagreement between Homegrown’s upper management and its frontline employees in the affected areas.
War broke out in October 2023 following a 119-day strike in which union members at the Redmond office wanted their union leader, Sydney Lankford, rehired, as reported by the media.
At the news conference, Lankford said, “I was one of the labor organizers when we went on a three-day strike for lack of health care provisions.”
“Management had every right to think that my attendance at the union delegation was cause for termination, and I received my write-up following this incident and all the others like it.”
After two years on the job, Lankford was let go from the Redmond site. According to the publication, she had complained to management about the lack of decent healthcare, air conditioning, and fair pay.
The union’s grievance against Lankford’s dismissal led to an investigation by the National Labor Relations Board, which is responsible for investigating allegations of unfair labor practices.
At last, the union and Homegrown Partners LLC reached an agreement on measures to improve the temperature regulation in the stores, especially during the hot summer months.
During the demonstration on July 25, employees from the Redmond and Southcenter branches discussed their personal experiences and the effects of the layoffs, as reported by the news source.
After learning about the layoffs from outside sources rather than management, Lankford and her coworkers vented their outrage at the abrupt announcement of the closures.
The South Seattle Emerald reports that Homegrown worker Clio Jensen pleaded with democratic politicians to publicly denounce “union busting.” Jensen explained that the firm is closing these outlets to increase profits.
“It is deeply unfair that 150 workers are being unfairly laid off. Our fight is for severance pay and to bring awareness to the unfair practices against unions in Seattle communities.”
