In an Unfair Labour Practice complaint, Service Employees International Union Local 2 (SEIU Local 2) says nine employees that were recently laid off from local coffee chain, Java Blend, was illegal.

In a news release, SEIU Local 2 says, they see the cuts as retaliation, with four of the nine being the leaders of a union drive.

The union says employees from all locations participated in a Labour Board certification vote, June 2. Eight months later however, the votes remain unread, “because the employer raised objections as to whom should be allowed to be members of the Union.”

Those laid off were also asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement, for severance pay, to keep all details confidential.

“… the impacted workers, who are living paycheck-to paycheck, have been told that they will only receive desperately needed severance if they give up their rights under the Trade Union
Act.”

However, according to the news release says Java Blend claims the layoffs were made to maintain ‘financial stability’.

SEIU Local 2 wants to see all nine employees get their jobs back, including lost wages.

There will be a rally outside the North St. Java Blend Saturday at 1p.m.