Viral Tweet Claims LA’s Donut Friend Fired Unionizing Employees | Eater LA

"I've followed the controversy around Donut Friend, the vegan doughnut shop with Highland Park (York Boulevard) and Downtown Los Angeles locations: an anonymous tweet by @ElSangito accused the company of firing multiple workers “for trying to unionize,” sparking a viral boycott, but current and former employees and owner Mark Trombino say that claim is false. Former employee Flynn Nicholls, who was let go on January 17, says the tweet is technically inaccurate though he supports the messaging; workers acknowledge valid workplace concerns and are planning a formal union push even though no paperwork has yet been submitted. Staff point to a September 2020 letter signed “The united staff of Donut Friend” demanding clearer communication and safer COVID protocols, and say that after the letter several signatories were later fired or suspended (two in October, another in January, plus a suspension), which organizers view as suspicious and potentially retaliatory; Trombino denies union-busting, says one staffer was fired “for cause,” and admits he has not always communicated as well as he could. Management introduced one-on-one meetings, suggestion boxes, and town-hall discussions, but some employees felt those moves were anti-labor and that disciplinary action increased; the Downtown location also had a COVID-positive staff member that prompted a shutdown initially described as “for repairs” before pressure forced disclosure and revealed an email blaming staff for not social distancing. Workers emphasize that any boycott should be an organized group decision, that they have set up social media accounts for their efforts, and that the healthiest next step is direct, honest, offline engagement with ownership about communication and safety; Trombino says he would explore union recognition if staff pursue it, and both sides say improved face-to-face dialogue is needed." - Farley Elliott