Minneapolis Jimmy Johns workers move to unionize
Kitchen and delivery employees of the national chain known for sandwiches “so fast you’ll freak” walked off the job in Minneapolis last Thursday to picket on Block E and form the Jimmy Johns Workers Union, affiliated with the International Workers of the World (IWW).
Matt Miranda, the media coordinator for the newfound union’s solidarity committee, said workers are protesting poor working conditions and seeking increases in wages, consistent scheduling, sick days and respect in the workplace.
So far, Miklin Enterprise, the owners of the Minneapolis franchise locations, has not appeared willing to negotiate. Instead, the number of job postings on Craigslist have been growing by the day.
According to a press release, union members are “undiscouraged by the owners’ absence from the negotiating table.”
Union members and their supporters, including a contingent of bicyclists sympathetic to the cause, gathered for a rally on Labor Day at the University of Minnesota, with performances by notable local artists I Self Divine and Guante.
The IWW Jimmy Johns Workers Union intended the rally to kickstart a “National Week of Action” this week, in which supporters of the union in 32 states nationwide are encouraged to take to the streets.
