According to a federal complaint publicized in the Chicago Tribune, Guitar Center allegedly violated national labor guidelines in their flagship Chicago, New York and Las Vegas stores. The complaint states that Guitar Center discriminated against union employees by offering reduced benefits and failing to bargain in good faith with said employees.
The retail chain has been trying to reach an agreement with the union since 2013, and stopped recognizing them last year at the Vegas & NYC locations after negotiations failed.
Hearings will start in October.
Look, I’m not a lawyer, and I don’t give a crap about reporting labor disputes. But, this is yet another public black eye for GC. Granted this won’t turn into a huge story, there will be a small chunk of people who spin this into “Guitar Center hates unions & America” and post that all over forums. Those people are obvious idiots, but they will still make some noise. This is a company that really could use some good press.