Union members demonstrate outside Capital Roots’ urban grow center

Union members and supporters with SEIU local 200 united rallied Friday outside Capital Roots’ urban grow center in Troy.

Protesters demonstrated against what the union is calling a pattern of aggressive retaliation against union members.

Union members and community supporters called out the management team of CEO Amy Klein who they say have unfairly disciplined and even terminated union members fostering an increasingly toxic workplace for staff and employees.

Union affiliated employees say Klein and her team have used union busting strategies similar to those Amazon and Starbucks have used in New York state when employees at those companies began to unionize.

Capital Roots has released a statement in response, that reads in part, “Capital Roots remains committed to exemplifying a fair and equitable workplace for our valued staff. When we voluntarily recognized the staff’s efforts to unionize last month, we did so with an understanding and expectation that both the nonprofit’s counsel and the union would quickly begin negotiating in good faith, and in parallel, both parties would continue to legally perform their duties to ensure the essential day-to-day operations of Capital Roots. At this time, there have been no bargaining agreements made, and it is premature to elaborate on any specifics, as negotiations are expected to commence in the fall.”

Capital Roots released this statement:

“Capital Roots remains committed to exemplifying a fair and equitable workplace for our valued
staff. When we voluntarily recognized the staff’s efforts to unionize last month, we did so with
an understanding and expectation that both the nonprofit’s counsel and the union would
quickly begin negotiating in good faith, and in parallel, both parties would continue to legally
perform their duties to ensure the essential day-to-day operations of Capital Roots.

At this time, there have been no bargaining agreements made, and it is premature to
elaborate on any specifics, as negotiations are expected to commence in the fall.

The Board of Directors’ decision to voluntarily recognize a union of Capital Roots
employees remains the policy and intention of the Board and management of Capital
Roots. Sadly, we are aware of many factually inaccurate and defamatory allegations
being made against CEO Amy Klein and her management team by certain union
supporters. We categorically deny them. Management has not acted illegally, and its
actions, taken in support of the management of the organization during the formation of
this new relationship, have been guided by the organization’s principles, our rules of
workplace conduct, and law. They have nevertheless been manipulated and contorted
into false assertions of unfair practices and retaliation. Those assertions are not true.

We look forward to continuing the conversation with union organizers and fully stand in
support of the nonprofit’s CEO, Amy Klein, who has been with the organization for
twenty-five years and demonstrated utmost leadership and compassion for not only the
staff, but also the people the organization serves. We will continue to maintain a positive
work environment for all Capital Roots volunteers and staff.”