Trader Joe’s worker says he was fired for asking CEO for more COVID-19 safety

A Trader Joe’s worker said he was fired for asking the CEO of the grocery chain to improve precautions against the coronavirus.

Ben Bonnema, who worked at one of the company’s stores in New York City, tweeted a copy of a letter Friday addressed to CEO Dan Bane and said “trader joe’s just fired me for sending this letter to the ceo, saying i don’t share the company values. i guess advocating for a safer workplace isn’t a company value?”

In the letter, Bonnema asked Bane to require masks for all customers, improve in-store air filtration, limit capacity based on carbon dioxide levels and develop a “three-strikes” policy for noncompliant customers.

trader joe’s just fired me for sending this letter to the ceo, saying i don’t share the company values. i guess advocating for a safer workplace isn’t a company value? pic.twitter.com/3TKi5B8HSJ

— Ben Bonnema (@BenBonnema) February 26, 2021

For customers who are medically unable to wear a mask, Bonnema recommended having Trader Joe’s employees shop for those customers. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires accommodations be made for certain customers.

In his letter, Bonnema cited a recent paper from The Journal of Hospital Infection that calls “sufficient and effective ventilation” key to preventing indoor transmission of the virus.

Bonnema also produced his termination notice, which cited his recommendation for a three-strike policy, which the company called “not in line with our core Values.”

here’s the letter they gave me pic.twitter.com/BeYmopbmJ3

— Ben Bonnema (@BenBonnema) February 26, 2021

In a statement to The Hill, a Trader Joe’s spokesperson said: “During his short tenure with Trader Joe’s, this Crew Member’s suggestions were listened to, and appropriately addressed. Store leadership terminated this Crew Member’s employment because of the disrespect he showed toward our customers. We have never, and would never, terminate a Crew Member’s employment for raising safety concerns”

Bonnema tweeted a performance review from August that praised him for “dedication and care” in customer service.

what’s wild is i got perfect marks on my last review lol pic.twitter.com/EJL0VO5G5e

— Ben Bonnema (@BenBonnema) February 27, 2021

The Hill has reached out to Trader Joe’s for comment.

Benjamin Dictor, a lawyer who has been retained by Bonnema, said his client’s firing was illegal retaliation.

“Mr. Bonnema has a federally protected right to advocate for the workplace safety of his colleagues,” he told the Post. “Terminating him for doing so is reprehensible, and we look forward to obtaining an order from the National Labor Relations Board directing his immediate reinstatement.”

Updated at 2:03 p.m.