The Maine People's Alliance and other pro-union groups held a protest demonstration today in front of a Hannaford Brothers Supermarket in Bangor. The speakers lauded the federal Employee Free Choice Act and accused Maine's largest supermarket chain of intimidating employees who attempt to form unions.
Anders Beal says he worked at Hannaford as a seafood clerk for two-and-a-half years and left when it was time to go to college. He says he was not part of any efforts to form a union, but he says his coworkers expressed interest.
"During my time there I noticed how signs in the breakroom told workers not to discuss unions," he told MPBN. "I also spoke with a manager about unions and how Hannaford's policies were against any form of union and any form of worker organization." Beal and the other speakers did not say they plan to take any legal action against Hannaford.
In response to the event, Hannaford released a statement saying the interests of its associates, customers and company are best served without a third-party union, and that the company adheres to all labor laws and regulations.