The National Labor Relations Board today dismissed all of the significant complaints of alleged labor law violations that had been filed against Palermo Villa Inc., the Milwaukee-based parent company of Palermo’s Pizza.
Chris Dresselhuys, marketing director for Palermo’s, issued the following statement regarding the NLRB’s ruling: “Today’s announcement by the National Labor Relations Board dismissing all of the significant claims filed by Voces de la Frontera is a major victory for our workers and our company. The decision completely vindicates Palermo’s and reinforces our well-deserved reputation for being a responsible employer and a committed corporate citizen. It also validates that Palermo’s fully complied with all applicable labor and immigration laws. Today’s ruling also clears the way for our employees to have a fair and legal NLRB administered election. We always have supported our employees having the opportunity to vote, and we are pleased they will finally be able to do so. While we disagree with the interpretation of the minor technicalities the NLRB noted in its decision, we accept and respect the ruling and want an election to move forward promptly. Now, the only threat to an election is Voces de la Frontera and their continued negative campaign to hurt Palermo’s and Milwaukee. Voces de la Frontera should get out of the way and let the workers decide. The NLRB ‘s ruling has also seriously damaged Voces de la Frontera’s credibility in the community as it shows that their efforts were designed to give a bum rap to Palermo’s, our employees and the City of Milwaukee. The relentless, inappropriate and deceptive campaign mounted by Voces de la Frontera has hurt the community, and now it is time for it to end. Their baseless claims have been given due process of law by the Federal government and have been roundly rejected, so it is time for Voces de la Frontera to stand down and allow our employees to vote. Palermo’s is pleased that the NLRB’s decision shows that the actions we took were appropriate and that the company respected the rights of the employees and obeys the laws of the United States. After being rejected by the NLRB so thoroughly, it is time for Voces de la Frontera to stand down and let the workers decide.”
The NLRB’s ruling could clear the way for workers at Palermo’s to have a certified election by employees to determine if they want to join the Voces-backed Palermo Workers Union or the United Food & Commercial Workers.
A spokesman for Voces de la Frontera could not be reached for comment today, and a copy of the NLRB’s ruling was not immediately available.
