Attorney for Flying Food Group: Unite Here's conduct is 'utterly unacceptable in a workplace context; it is illegal'

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Amanda R. Washton, Attorney, Thompson Hine LLP | Conkle, Kremer & Engel, PLC

By Sky Industry News Reports

Sep 17, 2025

Amanda R. Washton, an attorney at Thompson Hine LLP, has issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding that UNITE HERE Local 11 and its representatives cease alleged harassment of employees or face legal consequences.

"immediately CEASE AND DESIST all harassing conduct and behavior," said R. Washton. "If you do not immediately cease and desist from further harassing conduct toward our employees, we will take necessary and appropriate legal action. The conduct described in this letter is utterly unacceptable in a workplace context; it is illegal. FFG has an affirmative duty to do everything reasonably necessary to protect the life, safety, and health of employees."

According to Business Daily Network, in May 2025, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) food service worker Kenia Solano filed federal charges alleging that officials from UNITE HERE Local 11 engaged in harassment and intimidation against her. Solano's complaint states that union representatives retaliated against her for opposing the union by spreading false claims and manipulating co-workers to isolate her. She asserts that this behavior created a hostile work environment and violated her rights under federal labor law.

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In 2025, Flying Food Group employees at LAX filed multiple unfair labor practice charges against UNITE HERE Local 11, according to the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. The filings accuse union officials of employing "mob-like tactics, physical confrontations, false accusations, and retaliation" against employees who opposed or questioned the union. These charges represent the third round of federal complaints from Flying Food Group employees regarding alleged harassment and misconduct by UNITE HERE representatives.

Another complaint filed in 2025 describes repeated harassment of LAX catering worker Kenia Solano by UNITE HERE Local 11 representatives. According to filings, union staff allegedly subjected Solano to intimidation, verbal abuse, and coercion due to her dissent from union positions. The charges detail these actions as part of a broader pattern of union pressure on employees at Flying Food Group.

Washton is a partner at Thompson Hine LLP based in Los Angeles, California. She has served there since July 2024 and previously held partner-level positions at Conkle, Kremer & Engel and Lurie & Seltzer. Her career began at Towle Denison Smith & Maniscalco LLP. Washton earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California in 2003 and her Bachelor of Arts in History from UC San Diego in 2000.