LAX: UNITE HERE Used Mob Like Tactics, Face New Federal Charges for Alleged Union Bullying

LAX Foodservice Provider Slams Unite Here Local 11 With Federal Charges Detailing Intimidation, Harassment

Posted on May 14, 2025 by National Institute for Labor Relations Research 

Flying Foods Group employees at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are taking a stand against alleged harassment and intimidation by UNITE HERE Local 11, filing a third round of federal unfair labor practice charges since September 2024. The latest charges, filed by employee Esperanza Maciel on May 13, 2025, paint a troubling picture of union officials using mob-like tactics, false accusations, and retaliation against workers who dare to question or oppose union control. With free legal support from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, these workers are shining a light on what they describe as a pattern of coercive behavior that violates their rights under federal labor law. 

A Pattern of Intimidation 

Maciel’s charges, filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 21, detail a May 3, 2025, confrontation where a UNITE HERE representative responded to her question about health benefits with hostility. Instead of addressing her concern, the representative falsely accused her of attending an anti-immigrant protest in San Francisco and claimed she was being paid by the company to oppose the union. In front of coworkers, the official shouted, “She wants the Union to leave but no one is getting rid of us!” Maciel, who has openly advocated for a decertification vote to remove the union, argues this incident was a clear attempt to intimidate her for exercising her rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which protects workers from retaliation for opposing union activities. 

Maciel’s experience is not isolated. Since September 2024, she and other Flying Foods workers have reported similar incidents. In her September 2024 charges, Maciel alleged that a union organizer incited a mob of employees to demand her firing. Another employee, Kenia Solano, filed charges in April 2025, claiming union shop stewards manipulated coworkers to isolate her and even instigated a physical altercation over her union dissent. These repeated allegations suggest a concerted effort by UNITE HERE Local 11 to silence independent-minded workers. 

“Unite Here union officials do not care about creating a workplace where everyone is treated with respect,” Maciel said. “They demonize anyone who disagrees with the union and try to cut them off from the rest of the workplace. This makes it even more ridiculous that I am forced to pay them every month.” 

Ongoing Federal Investigations 

The NLRB, tasked with enforcing federal labor law, is now reviewing Maciel’s latest charges. The NLRA explicitly prohibits unions and employers from retaliating against employees for engaging in protected activities, such as advocating for or against union representation. The National Right to Work Foundation, which is providing free legal aid to Maciel and other workers, has been instrumental in helping employees nationwide challenge similar union abuses. Foundation attorneys are also assisting foodservice and hospitality workers in Chicago and San Francisco, where UNITE HERE officials face accusations of threatening tactics and disregarding workers’ rights to opt out of dues payments. 

The Foundation’s broader campaign against UNITE HERE’s alleged misconduct has gained significant traction. A mini-documentary, The Reality of Union Bullying by UNITE HERE, featuring workers Maria Uriostegui and Erika Chavez, has surpassed 1.6 million views on YouTube, amplifying the voices of those standing up to union intimidation. 

A Broader Fight for Worker Freedom 

The situation at Flying Foods reflects a growing resistance among workers in the foodservice and hospitality industries to what they see as union overreach. National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix emphasized the importance of this fight: “Independent-minded workers in the foodservice and hospitality industries are standing up to unmask Unite Here as an aggressive organization that prizes consolidating power in workplaces far above respecting employees’ rights and opinions.” 

Mix also highlighted the legal protections available to workers: “Foodservice and hospitality workers nationwide should know that they have rights to end union membership, speak out against union bosses, and refuse to pay some or potentially all union dues without having to fear retaliation, and that Foundation attorneys stand ready to help them exercise any and all of those rights.” 

Why This Matters 

The charges against UNITE HERE Local 11 come at a time of heightened scrutiny of labor practices at Flying Foods Group. The company itself has faced legal challenges, including a 2023 California Labor Commissioner citation for failing to rehire laid-off workers and ongoing NLRB investigations into its labor practices. Meanwhile, UNITE HERE Local 11 has been active in disputes with the company, including a 2023 strike over contract negotiations. However, the union’s silence on these specific allegations of worker harassment raises questions about its commitment to fostering a respectful workplace. 

For workers like Maciel and Solano, the fight is about more than just one union or one workplace. It’s about ensuring that employees can exercise their rights without fear of retribution. As the NLRB reviews these charges, the outcome could have significant implications for labor relations in the foodservice industry and beyond, potentially setting a precedent for how unions handle dissent. 

See Something, Say Something 

Workers facing similar issues can contact the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation for free legal assistance at 1-800-336-3600 or visit www.nrtw.org. The Foundation remains committed to defending employees’ rights against compulsory unionism abuses, supporting thousands of workers in approximately 200 cases each year. 

Have you or someone you know experienced union harassment or intimidation? Share your story with us or contact the National Right to Work Foundation for support. Together, we can protect worker freedom. 

Source: National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation Press Release 

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