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Delegates to the Minnesota AFL-CIO convention on Sunday deluged Taste of the NFL social media with messages of support for workers organizing at Franklin Street Bakery in Minneapolis.
Their effort prompted Taste of the NFL, a charity event associated with the Super Bowl, to block the messages, which called on the bakery owner to respect workers and their right to organize.
Twin Cities’ restaurateur Wayne Kostroski is co-owner of Cuisine Concepts, which owns Franklin Street Bakery. In 1992, he founded the Taste of the NFL as a way to showcase local chefs and raise money for hunger relief. But workers at the bakery, some of whom have been fired for organizing, said his charity work cannot mask the poor working conditions they face.
“We were appalled by what we heard” from workers, including “allegations of favoritism, racism, sexual harassment and an unsafe work environment,” said Bruce Peglow, president of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco & Grain Millers Local 22 in Minneapolis.
Since its organizing drive began this spring, Local 22 has filed “at least a dozen” charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging Franklin Street Bakery violated workers’ rights.
In addition, with the support of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, workers are engaged in a campaign to call out the bakery’s owners, including a protest with community allies in August.
On Sept. 20, the union representing National Football League players sent a letter to Kostroski and his partner, Mark Haugen, protesting their actions at the bakery.
“Our union is disappointed to hear that Franklin Street Bakery is apparently engaged in antiunion efforts that prevent workers from organizing and for which unfair labor practice charges have been filed,” wrote DeMaurice F. Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association.
“Many current and former NFL players have used their voices and platforms to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief and other charities in their communities. This type of humanitarian and collective spirit can make a difference in people’s lives, which is why we reach out to and encourage you to allow employees at the bakery to organize without interference.
“As the organized collective voice of the players of the NFL, we stand in solidarity with the workers of Franklin Street Bakery.”
Local 22 President Peglow said the workers are encouraged by the support provided by other union members and the community.
“We must and we will win a contract there,” he told AFL-CIO convention delegates.