Teamsters Denounce Billionaire John Catsimatidis for Firing Striking Workers

Teamsters Local 553 is expanding charges at the National Labor Relations Board against United Metro Energy Corp., owned by billionaire John Catsimatidis, after the company fired another striking worker last week. Catsimatidis has permanently replaced eight union activists since a strike began at the company’s Brooklyn oil terminal in April. The union originally filed charges at the NLRB in May alleging that the company was targeting union activists for permanent replacement and is now asking the federal agency to add the latest firing to its ongoing investigation. “I’ve been on strike for 151 days trying to make this a job I can live on,” said James Anderson, who has worked at United Metro Energy Corp. since 2018. “To then get a letter from my employer saying that they are permanently replacing me instead of giving me a fair wage, it breaks my heart. But me and my coworkers are standing strong to get the union contract we deserve.” Read more here!