Chris Capra

Federal Direct United Auto Workers Torrington, Conn.

Chris Capra was tired of the way she and her co-workers were treated by supervisors at Federal Direct, a mailing company in Torrington, CT. After talking it over, they decided that the best way to address the problems was to have a union. Capra volunteered to have the first organizing meeting at her house to discuss the possibility of becoming part of the United Auto Workers.

Management learned about the meeting. On the day it was scheduled, Capra’s supervisor told her to "enjoy your meeting," as she was headed out the door. At 9 a.m. the next day she was fired. She had worked there for nine years.

Federal Direct told Capra she was fired because of a poor attendance record. Capra filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming the real reason for her termination was the perfectly legal act of supporting a union. Federal Direct agreed to settle her claim but refused to admit it had violated the law. Capra was reinstated to the same position with back pay a few months later.

Even so, Capra still feels like Federal Direct won the day. She says her co-workers are afraid to talk about a union now for fear that they’ll be fired as she was. The charges did not stop the employer’s anti-union campaign, which has continued. "Now it seems like management can do anything they want to us," Capra said.