Judge rules in favor of fired Twin Cities Jimmy John's workers

An administrative law judge said the owner of ten Twin Cities Jimmy John's sandwich shops violated labor laws by firing six workers and disciplining three others.

The judge recommends the fired workers should get their jobs back, along with back pay. He said disciplinary warnings should also be rescinded.

The workers were engaged in a union effort last year to pressure the shops' owner into granting paid sick days. Last week's order came in response to a complaint from the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB will automatically enforce the judge's recommendation unless it hears objections from the sandwich shop owner or employees. Marlin Osthus is the NLRB's regional director.

"If one or both parties files exceptions, then the board will consider the exceptions, examine the judge's ruling, review the record and decide whether or not the judge's recommendation is correct," Osthus said.

In 2010, a union vote at the shops failed. The NLRB overturned the vote result. But so far union proponents haven't sought a new election.