Statement Regarding Incident at Brown Elephant Andersonville

(Chicago, IL, January 4, 2023) – This afternoon, Illinois Nurses Association (INA) union picketers physically surrounded a mother and daughter, blocking them in an attempt to intimidate and deny them entry to one of Howard Brown Health’s Brown Elephant resale shops located at 5404 N. Clark St in Andersonville. After our safety team was able to escort them inside, these customers expressed concerns for their safety upon exiting the store. As a result, the police were called to deescalate the situation and ensure the wellbeing of Brown Elephant customers and employees. We are deeply disappointed in the actions of the INA in this incident, which occurred in the presence of Howard Brown Health employees and the public.

We urge the INA to respect the wishes of all Howard Brown and Brown Elephant employees and community members, and to follow the federal laws and regulations for conducting a lawful picket at any designated Howard Brown location, including Brown Elephant stores. In light of this unfortunate incident, Howard Brown Health has filed a charge against the INA with the National Labor Relations Board for the unlawful and intimidating picket line conduct today at Brown Elephant Andersonville.

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Howard Brown has regularly provided labor relations updates on its website and has previously posted the following related public statements:

January 2, 2023

December 3, 2022

November 23, 2022

September 23, 2022

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Media Inquiries:

Wren O’Kelley, Associate Director of Communications and Marketing
mediainquiries@howardbrown.org
872.269.3411

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