The accusations against Muñoz come from three female employees—Kenia Nazario, Johana Vásquez and Perla Luna—who allege that his behavior ranged from verbal harassment to retaliation against those who refused his advances.
All three women allege Muñoz’s inappropriate comments and actions created an uncomfortable and unsafe work environment for these and other female employees, eventually leading to his dismissal by FFG.
FFG did not respond to requests for comment. Unite 11 also did not respond for comment.
The workers said the atmosphere left them feeling powerless, with Muñoz using his influence and position to control them.
In a statement provided to Sky Industry News, Vásquez recalled how Muñoz constantly harassed her, making comments about her weight and suggesting she needed to "sweat it off" at work.
"He always made remarks about my body, and it affected me deeply," Vásquez said.
Nazario said in a provided statement to Sky Industry News that Muñoz used his union status against those he allegedly harassed.
"He would retaliate against anyone who didn’t go along with his advances, especially women who spoke out against him," Nazario said. Luna said she experienced both physical and emotional exhaustion as a result of Muñoz’s actions.
She claims Muñoz often forced her to work alone, which took a toll on her mental health.
"I was broken down, working all alone, while he made my life miserable," Luna said in a statement provided to Sky Industry News.
The harassment was not limited to verbal insults. According to Nazario, Muñoz's behavior extended to favoritism and threats.
"He would retaliate against anyone who didn’t do what he wanted, especially women who wouldn’t go along with his advances," Nazario said.
While Munoz was let go by FFG after an investigation, Unite Here Local 11, the union representing all FFG employees, has stood by him, claiming that Munoz was inappropriately let go and should be immediately reinstated.
All three women confirmed the union was defending the aggressor and that it tried to blame his actions on the company, FFG.
“The union is defending a predator, and it’s not fair to those of us who suffered because of him," Vásquez said.
The Unite Here website includes resources to help local chapters “combat sexual harassment.” That information is password protected and not available publicly.
Unite Here Local 11 is a chapter of Unite Here International. They represent over 32,000 workers employed in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports arenas and convention centers throughout Southern California and Arizona.
In a speech given through a translator at the July 18 Los Angeles World Airports Board of Commissioners meeting, Muñoz did not mention the sexual harassment allegations.
“I'm here today because I was unjustly fired by Flying Food Group last Friday over the phone in April last year,” Muñoz told the board. “I led the PM dish on a 26 day strike at Flying Food Group. Also, I actively organized with my coworkers, delegations, picket lines, meetings with management to win a better contract that included living wages, affordable health insurance and a pension.”
Instead, Muñoz framed his firing as an attempt by the company to silence union opposition.
“[I] demanded the company to fix the dish room seniority by mobilizing the whole PM department to a delegation with HR and being an outspoken worker against injustice inside the kitchen,” Muñoz said. “I believe the company fired me to make my coworkers afraid and prevent me from continuing to be one of the top leaders in the PM shift.”
Sky Industry News is following this developing story.
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