{"id":3418,"date":"2026-05-29T13:33:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T18:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/?p=3418"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:33:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T18:33:55","slug":"workplace-justice-report-june-1st-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/2026\/05\/29\/workplace-justice-report-june-1st-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Workplace Justice Report – June 1st, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s Better in a Union<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

June 1st, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JBS Worker Reclassified After 3 Years, Union Wins Backpay <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sebastiana Panjoj Gonsalez, a meatpacking worker at JBS in Worthington, recently won $11,805 in backpay<\/strong> after discovering she had been underpaid for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After talking with coworkers, Sebastiana realized she was making less money for the same work. She brought the issue to her walking steward, Maria, and Union representative, Osmin. Together, they found that Sebastiana had been misclassified three years earlier and was being paid below the rate guaranteed in her Union contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osmin filed a grievance and pushed the case through multiple conversations with HR. At first, the company only offered a few months of backpay. But our Union kept fighting until Sebastiana received the full three years of lost wages, totaling $11,805.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
From left to right, Maria Villegas (Walking Steward), Sebastiana Panjoj Gonzalez (JBS worker), and Osmin Vasquez (Union Representative)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Worker at Cub Foods Wins Job Back, With Backpay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

David Benford has spent the last two years working part-time at Cub Northside. Having grown up in North Minneapolis, David takes pride in serving the same community that he was raised in. He relies on this job to be able to pay his rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this year, a miscommunication between managers led to David being wrongly terminated, leaving him without the income he depends on. <\/strong>David reached out to his coworker and Union steward, Nic. Recognizing the situation as a clear contract violation, Nic connected David with our Union\u2019s Member Action Center (MAC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After nearly a month off the job, our MAC representative, Paul Swanson, stepped in and made things right. David not only got his job back, but also received more than $1,300 in backpay.<\/em> <\/strong>Reflecting on the experience, David shared how much the support meant to him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI grew up here, and I care about this job and this community. Without this job, I would struggle to afford my rent. Luckily my steward and my Union had my back.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
From left to right, Jennifer Greenfield (steward), David Benford, Sarah Ambrose (steward), & Nic Poppe (steward)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Hormel ESST Class Action Remains in Minnesota State Court<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Employees involved in the class action lawsuit against Hormel Foods recently received an important update: the case will remain in Minnesota state court as litigation continues.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lawsuit, alleging violations of Minnesota\u2019s Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law by forcing workers to use vacation time if they called in sick, was originally filed in July 2025 in Minnesota state court. Shortly after filing, Hormel\u2019s attorneys attempted to move the case into federal court. Attorneys representing the employees then asked the federal judge to send the case back to state court, arguing that Minnesota was the proper venue for the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a hearing earlier this year, the federal court agreed and ordered the case be returned to Minnesota state court, where it remains today. Because the claims are focused on Minnesota\u2019s strong labor protections, the lawsuit will continue to be litigated locally. This is a positive development for the workers affected.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit our blog for an FAQ about the lawsuit.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Lead plaintiff and chief walking steward, Dan Lenway.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

UFCW 663 Provides Wins for Workers<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having an issue at work, please contact your steward, your Union representative, or the Member Action Center at 1-800-292-4105 or mac@ufcw663.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This report includes several highlights from the representation work performed at UFCW 663 \u2013 this is <\/em>not <\/em><\/strong>an exhaustive list of all grievances and settlements.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s Better in a Union June 1st, 2026 JBS Worker Reclassified After 3 Years, Union Wins Backpay  Sebastiana Panjoj Gonsalez, a meatpacking worker at JBS in Worthington, recently won $11,805 in backpay after discovering she had been underpaid for years. After talking with coworkers, Sebastiana realized she was making less money for the same work. … Continue reading Workplace Justice Report – June 1st, 2026<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3422,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWorkplace Justice Report - June 1st, 2026 - UFCW 663<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/2026\/05\/29\/workplace-justice-report-june-1st-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Workplace Justice Report - June 1st, 2026 - UFCW 663\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It\u2019s Better in a Union June 1st, 2026 JBS Worker Reclassified After 3 Years, Union Wins Backpay  Sebastiana Panjoj Gonsalez, a meatpacking worker at JBS in Worthington, recently won $11,805 in backpay after discovering she had been underpaid for years. 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