Coleman Nee, chief executive of Malden-based Triangle, is alleged to have told workers last year that if they supported the union, they could lose their job. Triangle officials then engaged in harassment, surveillance, and coercion. Federal investigators say the nonprofit violated federal labor law.
"It was an injustice," says Amy Banelis, 36, who had worked as an employment specialist with Triangle. The non-profit informed her in August last year that she would lose her job. Triangle trains developmentally disabled people for jobs.
"When you have certain individuals fired for organizing, folks are going to be scared," Banelis says. "Triangle had sent a clear message by firing us that they essentially don't want a union there."
The HR director at Triangle also harassed employees and demanded they secure a union authorization from her. Managers targeted employees, making a record in their performance reviews if they spoke with others about unionizing, federal officials note.