Flying Food Group employee claims Unite Here retaliated against her for not joining protest

In 2024, the National Education Association (NEA) considered terminating health insurance for approximately 300 staffers in Washington, D.C., during a contract dispute but later reversed its plan. This case underscored how access to medical coverage can be disrupted during union conflicts, with workers facing the threat of losing benefits while negotiations unfold. The episode was reported by KFF Health News.

There are documented cases where unions have withheld or threatened to suspend medical benefits as leverage in disputes. The NEA’s 2024 contract fight is one such example, where leadership warned employees their health insurance would be cut off if the impasse persisted. Although ultimately retracted, this move underscores how medical benefits are sometimes weaponized in labor conflicts, as reported by KFF Health News.

Maciel works for Flying Food Group at Los Angeles International Airport and has emerged as a vocal critic of Unite Here Local 11. She has filed multiple unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that union officials engaged in retaliation, intimidation, and attempts to isolate her for refusing to strike. Her role has been widely cited in reporting on ongoing disputes between the union and workers, documented by the National Right to Work Committee.

Flying Food Group, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Chicago, is a leading airline catering and prepared-food supplier serving more than 100 airline and retail clients. The company employs between 1,000 and 5,000 workers nationwide, including a unionized segment at airports such as Los Angeles International Airport where Unite Here Local 11 represents staff. Its industry footprint includes estimated annual revenue exceeding $500 million, positioning it as a significant aviation services provider according to Datanyze and Growjo.