Business

Ryan Young, Defender of Pregnant Women, Gets His Job at Safeway Back

You may remember at the beginning of this week when we reported that Ryan Young, an employee in a Safeway in Monterey, California, stopped a man from beating his pregnant girlfriend, only to be fired from his job.

Ryan Young, Safeway Employee Who Was Fired For Defending a Pregnant Woman, Get His Job Back

Ryan Young

The story went viral nationwide, prompting protests, a petition at Change.org, and oodles of media outrage.

Well, now that media outrage, as well as some union arm twisting, has paid off. The Associated Press reports:

Safeway meat clerk Ryan Young has his job back and has become a bit of a celebrity after being suspended for trying to help a pregnant woman who was being kicked by her boyfriend.

When Young jumped from behind his counter to help the woman on April 21 he didn‘t know that he’d be suddenly jobless and be the focus of national attention at the same time.

Young was working a shift at the Del Rey Oaks, Calif., Safeway, when he saw the woman and her boyfriend arguing. When the man got physical with the woman, Young came to her defense, according to the statement he gave police.

After the brouhaha ended, Young’s employer saw the incident on surveillance video and suspended Young without pay. Safeway cited its zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence.

Then a sea of support rose for Young, starting with his union, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5. They immediately challenged Young’s suspension, but the company refused to budge for weeks—until Wednesday, when he was reinstated.

Young will return to work at a different Safeway store just as close to his home in Marina, said Ron Lind, a spokesman for the union.

“He’ll be back to work as soon as possible,” Lind said.

Meanwhile, word spread rapidly of Young’s heroic actions after he appeared on national television. In response to his suspension, people began boycotting and picketing outside the northern California store in support of the

clerk.

The Del Ray Oaks’ police chief even jumped into the mix, commending Young’s actions publicly.

Then Young’s cause went viral. More than 180,000 people signed an online petition expressing outrage at Safeway’s actions on Change.org, a website that allows people to engage in social advocacy.

“Knowing that I had all these people standing behind me and that I wasn’t alone really helped me through this difficult time,” he said in a statement through the website. “I’ll be returning to work soon, and I’m ready to move forward.”

Safeway reinstated Young with back pay. The decision came a day after union representatives and the company spoke.

“As we have said from the outset, Mr. Young’s decision to intervene on behalf of one of our customers was commendable,” Safeway said in a statement Wednesday.

“Whatever the circumstances, a physical confrontation between an employee and a customer is something we must take very seriously and examine very carefully. We appreciate the customers who took time to share their opinions about this incident, and we appreciate their patience as we completed the process.”

The man charged in the woman’s assault, Quyen Van Tran, was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to attend a 52-week domestic violence class after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery on Friday, according to the Monterey Herald.

Comments (74)

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  • Soothsayer
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 10:17pm

    “Safeway cited its zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence”
    But it’s quite allright if you stand there and watch it happen as long as it has nothing to do with the company.

    Report Post »  
    • cemerius
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 11:29pm

      of course if the boyfriend killed her…..her family would have promptly sued safeway for NOT intervening…..this Man is a hero……safeway needs to rethink their policy!

      Report Post » cemerius  
    • blackyb
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 1:47am

      People have no judgement. They want some book or person to tell them how to think. That is the problem with many in this world today. They are being indoctrinated until they are too stupid to make a single decision on their own. This man still has some brains and did what was right. Know the Truth and the Truth will set you free. You will be free indeed. Truth and Justice go hand in hand. God gave us all common sense, so use it, just like this man did. He came out alright. It is not always easy to stand, but when you stand for the right reason, you will come out fine.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • ScienceIsNotEvil
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:59pm

      I find it disturbing that you are agreeing with a union (who can do no good) instead of the company (who can do no evil).

      Are you a liebral?

      Report Post »  
    • seldomscene
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 5:38pm

      What if had a picture of work place violence? Still suspended?

      Report Post » seldomscene  
    • ASE
      Posted on June 3, 2012 at 12:57pm

      Safeway is attempting to cover-its-arse against lawsuits. You can’t protect yourself, you can’t even protect anyone else either. If you survive, consider yourself lucky, but you don’t have any reason to sue safeway.

      And don’t even THINK about being armed, not even in the parking lot, even if you have a ccp and work in a high crime area.

      Report Post »  
  • Tankertony
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 10:10pm

    His actions are worth more than any four year degree from any major university.

    I’d hire him just to kick evil peoples asses.

    Report Post » Tankertony  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 10:07pm

    “Zero Tolerance” makes no sense whatsoever. It is a collectivist mindset and a collectivist philosophy, meaning, we will not treat individuals as individuals, but we will treat them as a mass lump of flesh, this is COMMUNIST EQUALITY. You are all collectively ONE lump of human mass to the elitist communists.

    We are individuals and our situations are unique and we should rule by common sense, not one rule fits everyone collectivist communism.

    Commies go home. Back to China and Russia where you came from.

    Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 10:56am

      There are two reasons “zero tolerance” is used by many companies.

      1. There has been successful litigation against employers for neglect to provide a safe work environment when there has been violence in the workplace. Think crazy employee with a gun.

      2. Drug users are in the work force. No employer wants a drug user working under the influence because of damage to people and property. Zero tolerance means you can fire them on the first instance. Remember the photos last year of the union guys drinking and smoking dope in a parking lot during their lunch hour. Zero tolerance lets an employer get rid of this unsafe trash.

      However, I would not have called what this gentleman did as violence in the workplace or failure to follow policies or procedures. He had the best interest of the customer and employer at heart. His quick action could have provided Safeway with some great positive PR. The store manager and human resource person screwed the pooch on this one.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • snyggys
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:56pm

    He should be promoted with a big raise.

    Report Post » snyggys  
  • freedomisasfreedomdoes
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:55pm

    awesome

    Report Post » freedomisasfreedomdoes  
  • Obamujahadeen
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:32pm

    Time for him to be promoted from ‘meat clerk’ to boss of whomever was the idiot that had him fired and make THAT person the low totem pole meat counter dweeb.

    Report Post » Obamujahadeen  
    • antiprogressive
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:58pm

      I was thinking that too.

      He needs to take the job of whoever fired him and put THEM on the bottom rung.
      No matter HOW high that person is.

      Report Post »  
    • PSutliff
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 11:13am

      You are 100% right! Whoever initiated the action of a suspension should be fired. Its pretty simple cut and dried. Then, if this gentleman meets the requirements for the job why not offer it to him?

      Report Post » PSutliff  
  • forthepeople
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:17pm

    Does not say much for Safeway ? does it ?

    Report Post » forthepeople  
    • RLTW
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:44pm

      It actually says it all, the initial fact is they let him go, so my reaction is to stop shopping at unSafeway

      Report Post »  
  • DesdemonasCrew
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:14pm

    Good Job!

    Report Post » DesdemonasCrew  
  • Skrewedretiree
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:09pm

    I‘m glad I’m retired! I also lived under a “zero tolerance” policy that made me a target of any thug who wanted his way. I was ordered to “give them anything they want”. I told the boss,”Well, fine then. If it belongs to the (company- I won’t say where I worked, I was Federal, and you know Obama), they can have it. But if they want MY WALLET, MY ID and MT MONEY THAT I WORKED HARD FOR, NO WAY!”.

    I was told if I resisted IN ANY WAY I would be fired for cause.

    Well, Amerika, you got the Government you voted for.

    Remember in Nobember!

    Report Post » Skrewedretiree  
  • minorityconservative2
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:03pm

    GOD bless him!

    Report Post »  
  • Sharon Rose
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:02pm

    Kudos to this young man for helping the lady. Safeway should give him a raise~

    Report Post »  
  • TRILO
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:00pm

    It is nice to see someone step up to the plate and help their neighbor. So many times we hear about people just standing by while someone is beaten or harmed. I am very glad that Mr Young was given his job back. I hope that the woman he helped is not one of those that keep going back to their abuser.

    This just goes to show once again that “Zero Tolerance” policies do not work.

    Report Post » TRILO  
  • Watermain
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:57pm

    Nice to see that sometimes good things happen to good people.

    Report Post » Watermain  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:50pm

    Excellent

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • chips1
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:49pm

    Three years probation? That lady won’t live that long and the judge will be to blame.

    Report Post »  
  • piper60
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:49pm

    I think the perp is lucky he didn’t get the tar beat out of him.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • momrules
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:47pm

    Didn’t the first report say something to the effect that Safeway claimed he was suspended for problems prior to this incident? I seem to remember that.

    Safeway backed down because of public outrage and possible loss of customers not because they realized the error of their ways. This also proves that the union was unnecessary. They could have taken this to court or whatever but the court of public opinion is what got Mr. Young his job back.

    I’m happy for Mr. Young. His actions on that day is what any decent human being should have done but all too often fail to do.

    Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:17pm

      Hey MOM…..love your posts. You usually eloquently say exactly what I would….or at least what I wish I would :-)

      Likewise for this story, I remember reading the same thing. I’m staying neutral on this story and will wait for more details. If our recollection is correct and the facts are accurate, I sure hope this man gets redeemed throughout this experience.

      Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 10:14pm

      Thank you for the kind words COPATRIOTS. I was wondering why Safeway made the claim to begin with. Maybe it was a scramble to cover for themselves after the story went public. I doubt we will ever know now as this story has been wrapped up with what I believe is a happy ending.

      Report Post »  
    • tajloc
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 9:39am

      Great remark! I agree. We leave too much for the rules and unions and especially the Gov to take care of us. This guy just moved (AS ANYONE WOULD WHO HAD GUTS). Quit leaning away from the responsibility of freedom. We must stand… no more “sunshine patriots.”
      Rom 8:28

      Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:47pm

    The Union that sent his dues money to Barry didn’t seem to do the job of standing up for him. Seems that the TEA Party type people made ALL the difference. And they didn’t cost him a penny. The TEA PARTY attitude is catching on because it has no leader, just a Conservative Levelheaded Conscience.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • Wolfgang the Gray
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:44pm

    Glad Safeway pulled their head out of their behind. American’s HELP each other, not stand around and watch a pregnant woman get beaten by her deadbeat boyfriend (He should get 52-weeks of prison time, not a class). Safeway could have had a boost in reputation had they given the clerk a commendation and maybe a little bonus in his paycheck for helping defend a Safeway customer. So much of this country is on the wrong side, heading the wrong way. We need to get back to what made this country exceptional and this clerk is a good example!

    Report Post » Wolfgang the Gray  
  • ALL4FREEDOM
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:43pm

    This kind of response to officious stupidity is EXACTLY what must take place each and every time said stupidity crops up. Kind of like Glenn’s lemonade stand project. PUSH BACK, again and again, harder each time, until the meatballs give up. If we continue to suffer in silence, the ba$t@rd$ win.

    Report Post »  
  • spfoam1
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:38pm

    The union only supported him for the publicity. The public supported him for his character. It’s good to see him reimbursed for his lost pay and back to work.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:36pm

    Reinstated? — Hell, he should be PROMOTED!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • kaydeebeau
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:34pm

    Why is the perpetrator being sent to a 52 week domestic violence class? Wouldn’t a 52 week anti-domestic violence class be more beneficial ;)-

    Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:40pm

      Thank Goodness. This is one smart thing Safeway has done. It’s time for all stores to stop being wussies. Try doing what’s right.

      Report Post »  
  • roadhog
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:33pm

    Only after $5 Million in Bad press the Dum Managerment act. They should fire the CEO

    Report Post »  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:49pm

      Way to go! These businesses are so afraid of law suits, union action, that a decent person is afraid to do anything to help others, so they just let it go according to company rules. Guess Safeway learned a lesson about a good employee with a heart.

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:30pm

    Way to go, Safeway. It is hard to admit our wrongs and to do so publicly is doubly hard. Glad to see you “man up”.

    Hooray to young Ryan. Now the ball is in your court, young man. Let’s see how you handle this blessing.

    Report Post »  
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