The labor union of the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA), a labor rights organization based in Koreatown, Los Angeles, announced on its official Instagram account on December 8 that it would begin an indefinite strike starting December 9.
The union cited the unfair dismissal of its members and other labor violations by management as the primary reasons for the strike. It has also filed a complaint with labor authorities against KIWA Director Alexandra Suh, accusing her of unfair labor practices.
KIWA currently employs 13 full-time staff members, all of whom are unionized, effectively halting the organization’s operations.
According to the KIWA union’s official Instagram, management dismissed six union-affiliated employees last month during contract renewal negotiations, citing financial difficulties. These six employees represent half of KIWA’s total union membership. The union claims the dismissals occurred just before the Thanksgiving holidays, even though the contract renewal had not been finalized.
The union criticized management’s justification for the dismissals as contradictory. While management cited financial hardship as the reason for the layoffs, it continued to pay Executive Director Alexandra Suh an annual salary of $183,000. The union contends that instead of resorting to mass layoffs, Suh’s salary should be reduced and the funds redistributed to retain employees.
One of the dismissed employees, Nainel Morales, described the layoffs as “irresponsible and unfair” on the union’s official Instagram. Morales stated, “The management must stop exploiting ‘immigrants’ and ‘workers’ rights’ and instead act with fairness, equity, and accountability, starting with their own actions.”
The union also accused KIWA management of engaging in other unfair labor practices. According to the union, a senior director verbally and sexually harassed employees. Leadership was further accused of making sudden changes to employees’ work schedules without prior notice and instructing employees to work overtime without providing proper overtime pay.
Based on the union’s Instagram posts, the director accused of verbal and sexual harassment is believed to be Jose Hernandez, who is reportedly an influential figure within KIWA. A union post from October stated that Hernandez was under investigation by labor authorities for allegations of verbal and sexual harassment against employees.
It was later reported that Hernandez resigned from KIWA on November 14. One KIWA employee told Korea Daily, “On November 14, Director Suh sent an email to KIWA employees to inform them that Jose Hernandez was stepping down. However, she did not disclose the reason for his resignation.”
In addition to launching an indefinite strike, the KIWA union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Executive Director Alexandra Suh for alleged unfair labor practices. On November 18, the union submitted a formal complaint to the NLRB, listing nine allegations, including harassment and surveillance of employees, intimidation and threats against employees, the illegal dismissal of a pregnant employee, and unilateral changes to job duties.
Regarding the NLRB complaint, a KIWA employee stated, “The NLRB has judges who mediate disputes between unions and leadership. If no resolution is reached through the NLRB process, the matter will proceed to civil court as a general lawsuit.”
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun@koreadaily.com]
