Did Ben’s Kosher Deli Fire Workers Over #DayWithoutImmigrants Protest?

By Dave Goldiner February 21, 2017

Ben’s Kosher Deli is coming under attack for allegedly firing workers who stayed away from work last week to observe the nationwide #DayWithoutImmigrants protest.

Telemundo reported that the Long Island Jewish eatery dumped 25 workers after they took part in the anti-Trump protest.

But the deli fired back insisting that it only fired an unspecified number of protesting workers who sought to intimidate colleagues for working on the day.

The company asserted that any workers who simply joined the protest are free to return to work.

The deli was one of a handful of companies that took action against workers related to the pro-immigration protests.

Anti-Trump activists have vowed to boycott firms that retaliate against protesters. It remains to be seen if Long Island pastrami-lovers will shun Ben’s.

The company operates 7 outlets in Long Island, New York City and Florida.

Dave Goldiner is the Forward’s director of digital media. Dave is a veteran journalist who has spent two decades working at newspapers in the United States and Africa. A native New Yorker, Goldiner wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered some of the biggest stories of our time, including the attacks of September 11, along with thousands of stories of hope and heartbreak. He also studied and worked in Southern Africa and has written for publications in South Africa and Zimbabwe. He holds masters degrees in journalism and public administration from Columbia University. Dave can be reached at [email protected], or follow him on Twitter @davegoldiner

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