Complaint latest in series of alleged anti-union activities at Baltimore airport

BALTIMORE, Oct 30, 2013 — The General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a complaint against Silver Diner BWI, LLC–concessionaire and subtenant of airport developer AirMall USA–for an alleged violation of federal labor law involving the use of physical contact in interfering with workers’ labor rights.

The complaint names Silver Diner’s Vice President of Human Resources, alleging that he "engaged in coercive physical contact with employees engaging in union and/or protected concerned activities."

"My coworkers and I have the right to organize to improve our jobs," said Renee Gulino, a server at Silver Diner’s BWI airport location. "Any attempt by Silver Diner to physically or otherwise interfere with our rights is unacceptable."

The complaint is the latest in a series of labor-related charges faced by BWI concessionaires, and the second for Silver Diner. In June, Silver Diner reached a settlement of charges of allegedly threatening and intimidating workers who engaged in union-related activity. Two additional BWI concessionaires, Lavan Enterprises (operator of McDonald’s at BWI) and Creative Food Group (operator of Rams Head and Sam Adam’s Brewhouse at BWI), have also settled NLRB charges in the past year.

"These allegations of continued violations of workers rights at BWI are saddening," said Roxie Herbekian, President of UNITE HERE Local 7. "I hope that decision-makers for these companies and AirMall can work together to find a solution."

Silver Diner is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, and contracts with developer AirMall USA for its space at BWI Airport. AirMall is a fully owned subsidiary of Prospect Capital Corporation PSEC -0.09% , and has been under contract with the State of Maryland to operate concessions at BWI since 2004.

UNITE HERE is a union representing hospitality workers in Baltimore and across the country, with over 250,000 worker members throughout the United States and Canada.