Seattle Subway worker says he was fired over fast-food strikes

A Seattle fast food worker plans to file a federal suit against Subway, claiming the sandwich chain retaliated against him for participating in a rally to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Fast food workers and Seattle City Council members are expected to add their support to a suit against a Subway franchisee – and the national chain – for firing employee Carlos Hernandez.

He played a leadership role in organizing this summer’s fast food strikes. He made the claim about Subway firing him in retaliation last week. Now he’s prepared to take this to the next level with legal action.

Hernandez was scheduled to explain what happened in a news conference Tuesday at the Federal Building in Seattle.

Capitol Hill Seattle Blog reports dozens of people protested outside a Subway on Broadway. Seattle police officers were there to make sure customers were able to safely get inside.

In a statement, his representatives claim Subway came up with a “flimsy excuse” to fire him. They said he was fired because he gave a cookie to a 3-year-old child.

“I know I was fired because I stood up for what is right. I went on strike and Subway fired me,” he says in a statement.

Hernandez is a leader in the Good Jobs Seattle movement and has repeatedly spoken out to the public and to co-workers about the campaign for good jobs.

A representative for the national Subway franchise business says my questions about these claims will be referred to regional offices.

The Seattle man says he just wants his job back, more then 1,000 people have already signed the petition through a “Rehire Carlos” campaign organized through social media.

By LINDA THOMAS