October 24, 2010
Nearly 200 Minneapolis-based Jimmy John's employees voted down Friday an effort to unionize.
The workers voted against joining the Industrial Workers of the World, the same group that also tried to unionize Starbucks baristas in 2008.
According to the National Labor Relations Board, 85 ballots were cast in favor of joining the IWWW while 87 voted against it. Another two votes challenged the ballots. Both parties have up to seven days to file objections with the labor board before the results are certified.
Jimmy John's employees were pressing for better wages and benefits plus an improved sick leave policy. The employees are part of a crew that works among nine area-owned locations owned by Rob and Mike Mulligan of Miklin Enterprises.