PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Former canvassers for Working America, a part of the AFL-CIO, are demanding that the organization stand by its pro-labor message after what they say was wrongful termination.
“We’re protesting unfair labor conditions in our workplace,” said Cody Martini, a former employee with Working America. They are the AFL-CIO's community outreach branch that advocates for better working conditions for non-union employees.
But Martini, an ex-canvasser for the organization, said he and dozens of his co-workers were fired after peacefully complaining to management about their unfair labor conditions.
“A number of complaints, including unsafe weather conditions as outside workers,” Martini said.
Their complaints range from harassment to racism, and inadequate protections put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. And when they spoke up, he said they were forcibly removed from the office, then fired in retaliation.
Martini said it’s pure hypocrisy.
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“Shocked and appalled that an organization whose entire purpose is labor rights [is] squashing labor rights,” said Martini.
“We just want those same labor rights Working America preaches to apply to their workplace.”
Martini detailed the former employees’ demands and their best case scenario.
“We’re reinstated with back pay, the managers in question relieved of their jobs,” he said, “and then we can get back to work.”
KYW Newsradio reached out to management at Working America. They called the claims “inaccurate” and said they don't comment on personnel matters.
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