Haredi Hummus Producer Steals Workers' Overtime Pay, Then Fires Workers En Masse

Flaum Appetizing Corporation was already found liable by the National Labor Relations Board for extensive violations of workers' rights and is now being sued for stealing workers' overtime pay and then firing the workers who complained en masse.

Immigrant Workers Rally for Justice at Kosher Food Company
Employees Call on Prominent Supermarket to Reexamine Relationship with Flaum Appetizing Corp.

Brooklyn, New York- Immigrant workers fired en masse from leading kosher food processor and wholesaler, Flaum Appetizing Corp., rallied alongside community and labor activists to call on the KRM Kollel supermarket to reassess the sale of Flaum products. Flaum is set to stand trial in federal court after denying workers overtime pay for years and launching a campaign of fierce retaliation when employees stood up for their legal rights. KRM is currently one of the largest retailers of Flaum products including hummus, pickles, and middle eastern salads.

“We worked hard every day to help Flaum grow and thrive but when we demanded the pay we were owed under the law, they fired us all at once,” said Felipe Romero, a Focus on the Food Chain member who worked at Flaum for nine years. “Flaum underestimated our sense of dignity and we're not going anywhere until justice is won.”

The campaign for justice at Flaum is being carried out by the Focus on the Food Chain initiative, a joint effort of non-profit organization Brandworkers and the Industrial Workers of the World labor union (NYC Branch). The National Labor Relations Board has already found Flaum liable for extensive violations of workers' rights and the employees are confident that they will prevail in federal court this Fall in their overtime and retaliation case. Workers at Flaum prepare, process, pack, and deliver large orders of kosher foodstuffs to supermarkets around New York.

“Food processing workers in New York City, mostly recent immigrants, have been ripped off by unscrupulous employers for far too long,” said Daniel Gross, the director of Brandworkers. “But through organizing, community action, and litigation, workers like those at Flaum are standing together to ensure their tremendous contribution to our economy is recognized and respected."

The Focus on the Food Chain campaign promotes a sustainable food system which incorporates respect for workers' human rights. By empowering employees with social change tools, Brandworkers wins respect for labor rights and challenges corporate misconduct. The Industrial Workers of the World is a grassroots labor union dedicated to democracy at work.