Esperanza Maciel, an employee at Flying Food Group, has filed new unfair labor practice charges against the Unite Here Local 11 union. This marks the third set of federal charges from LAX foodservice provider employees since September 2024. The charges allege a pattern of harassment and intimidation by union officials. Maciel submitted her complaint to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 21 with assistance from National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation attorneys.
“Unite Here union officials do not care about creating a workplace where everyone is treated with respect,” stated Maciel. “They demonize anyone who disagrees with the union and try to cut them off from the rest of the workplace.”
The NLRB, responsible for enforcing federal labor law, is currently reviewing Maciel’s charge. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) prohibits retaliation against employees who speak up for or against union control.
Maciel’s charges indicate she has been advocating against Unite Here officials and requested a decertification election through a petition to the NLRB. Her charges claim that due to her activities, she faced harassment and retaliation attempts by the union.
An incident on May 3 involved a Unite Here representative refusing to address Maciel’s question about health benefits because she was not part of the union. He accused her falsely of participating in an anti-immigrant protest and claimed she was paid by the company to oppose the union.
Maciel questioned why money was deducted from her wages monthly and reiterated her inquiry about healthcare benefits. The official responded dismissively, stating, “She wants the Union to leave but no one is getting rid of us!” Maciel contends this violated her rights under NLRA.
Unite Here Local 11 is already under investigation for workers’ rights violations at Flying Food Group. In September 2024, Maciel filed charges after a union organizer allegedly incited employees to demand her firing. Another employee, Kenia Solano, reported that shop stewards manipulated others into isolating her due to her opposition to the union.
These incidents are part of broader efforts by Foundation attorneys aiding workers nationwide in challenging illegal tactics by Unite Here officials. Maria Uriostegui and Erika Chavez were featured in a Foundation documentary highlighting similar issues, which has gained significant attention online.
“Independent-minded workers in the foodservice and hospitality industries are standing up to unmask Unite Here as an aggressive organization,” commented Mark Mix, President of National Right to Work Foundation. “Foodservice and hospitality workers nationwide should know they have rights…and that Foundation attorneys stand ready to help them exercise any and all of those rights.”
