San Antonio-based Sterling Foods has agreed to pay more than $58,000 in back pay and interest to six employees as part of a National Labor Relations Board settlement on charges of unfair labor practices.
The six employees were discharged in 2011 following an organizing campaign by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local Union No. 455 at the baked-goods manufacturer’s San Antonio facility, the NLRB said.
Three of the workers have accepted offers of reinstatement.
The UFCW Local filed charges with the government agency, alleging Sterling Foods engaged in multiple unfair labor practices during the organizing effort. An election petition was not filed, according to the NLRB.
Following an investigation, the NLRB issued a complaint that alleged the company had terminated six employees and threatened to terminate others in response to the union’s campaign; solicited an employee to report on union activities; offered a worker financial compensation to report on union activities of workers, prohibited employees from accepting union literature, and more.
The agency also had sought a temporary injunction and interim order of reinstatement of the six terminated workers.
The settlement eliminated the need for two scheduled hearings.
The baked-goods maker also agreed not to engage in unfair labor practices and post a notice to that effect in its San Antonio plant, as well as mail a copy of the notice to all employees, according to the NLRB.
