Feds: Fred Meyer, QFC broke law by banning workers’ BLM buttons

SEATTLE — Western Washington Fred Meyer and QFC stores violated federal labor law last fall when they barred employees from wearing Black Lives Matter buttons at work, according to the National Labor Relations Board.

Last week’s finding by the NLRB comes just over a year after Kroger, parent company of Fred Meyer and QFC, sparked a local controversy by ordering workers at Puget Sound-area stores not to wear BLM buttons to protest police violence against Black people.

The buttons had been provided by the workers’ union, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 21, which then filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB.

Last week, the NRLB’s Northwest regional office in Seattle informed UFCW and the grocery stores that it had “found merit to at least one charge” filed by the UFCW, NLRB spokesperson Kayla Blado confirmed Monday.

The NLRB will now try to negotiate a settlement between the union and Kroger that might involve changing company policy or other remedies. If a settlement isn’t reached, the NLRB can issue a formal complaint that might result in a trial.

“We look forward to reviewing the proposed settlement agreement,” a Kroger spokesperson said in a statement Friday. “Our company is unequivocal in standing with our Black associates, deeply listening and taking action to advance more diverse, inclusive and equitable communities.”