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Workers and union advocates tell CalSTRS to press Apollo/Cardenas over alleged anti‑union conduct
Summary
Multiple workers and union researchers told the CalSTRS Investment Committee that Cardenas Markets allegedly used anti‑union messaging and retaliated against organizers; speakers urged CalSTRS — which has investments linked to Apollo Fund 9 — to hold the company to labor and ESG principles.
Multiple workers and union advocates urged the California State Teachers Retirement System’s Investment Committee on Wednesday to press portfolio companies and their private equity owners to respect workers’ rights and resolve pending labor disputes.
At public comment, employees from Cardenas Markets described management meetings they said were intended to discourage union organizing and alleged retaliation. "They told us to turn off our cell phones," said Xochitl Garcia, a produce worker at Cardenas Markets in Colton, describing an anti‑union presentation she said management ran for employees. Enrique de Leon, another store employee, said he helped organize a meeting with union representatives and was later terminated: "I was terminated," he said.
Jared Gaby Beagle, a researcher for the United Food and Commercial Workers, summarized a recently filed National Labor Relations Board complaint and linked it to CalSTRS’ investments. "The government's complaint alleges that Cardenas terminated Rosalba Martinez as a result of her union and protected activity," he said, adding that CalSTRS has a roughly $300,000,000 exposure to Apollo Fund 9, which owns Cardenas Markets.
Interpreters also urged CalSTRS to press investors over labor practices at video‑relay and interpreting firms. "Our work is compensated through the FCC administered TRS fund," said Megan McGarry, an American Sign Language interpreter; she described layoffs and union‑hostile tactics at firms backed by private equity and asked CalSTRS to use its influence with limited partners to seek neutrality and resolution of unfair‑labor practice charges.
Why it matters: CalSTRS is one of the nation’s largest public pension funds and says it integrates environmental, social and governance considerations into its investment policies. Speakers argued that unresolved labor disputes and alleged anti‑union conduct pose financial and operational risks to portfolio companies and, by extension, to investor returns.
What the board said: Chairperson Keeley thanked speakers and said staff would maintain open lines of communication with stakeholders and general partners. He said staff and consultants will begin discussions about improving engagement with general partners in early 2025 but cautioned the board cannot take actions that would breach its fiduciary duties.
Next step: Committee staff indicated they will review the issues raised and engage with relevant partners and, where appropriate, escalate matters to the full Investment Committee for consideration. The speakers’ accounts and the NLRB complaint were left as matters for follow‑up rather than immediate board action.
