A former store manager of Three Rivers Market emailed state Sen. Frank Niceley, questioning the actions of the inspector who gave the grocery cooperative 63 out of 100 points on its May 16 inspection, according to public records obtained by WUOT.
Randy Arnold, who sent the email while the store was closed down, accused the state inspector of going beyond her duties by requiring employees to check underneath refrigeration units for rodent entry points and to throw away certain products. Arnold wrote that he spoke on behalf of the store and its general manager, Fadi Aboush.
“It almost seems as if this inspector has a hidden agenda,” Arnold wrote.
The co-op was closed down by the state for 24 hours after 14 health violations were cited, including excessive rodent droppings, a rodent's nest and unsanitary equipment. The store received a 91 out of 100 on its follow up inspection two weeks after the initial inspection.
Arnold told WUOT he was aware of these incidents because he came into the store to help with repairs.
“I wasn't asked by Fadi Aboush to contact the senator, but sent it on my own accord, considering all of the requests by the inspector had been completed,” Arnold said in an email.
“For me, this email is part of just a larger pattern of store leadership, dodging accountability for problems and playing victim when these issues come to light,” said Tory Mills, a member of the co-op. Mills is also part of a group called Three Rivers Revival that aims to improve the store’s leadership structure.
Aboush, who was cc’d on the email sent to Sen. Niceley, told WUOT that Arnold does not represent the co-op or its leadership. Niceley and the Three Rivers board of directors did not respond to comments pertaining to the email.
The email comes amid concerns that workers' voices are not being heard by the board.
“I think there has been really a limited number of channels for communication between the board and members due to the board's current policy structure and the current board members' understanding of how that allows them to interact with members,” Mills said.
The board, made up of 9 seats, uses the Policy Governance model. The model allows the board to focus on long term issues instead of day-to-day issues. The board has also formed five committees earlier this year that address specific aspects of the co-op, including one that focused on staff involvement in the store’s governance. It is unclear how often the committees meet.
Aboush said he is the only direct employee of the Board, meaning that employees must go to him if they want the board to hear their concerns. “I believe it is essential that concerns are initially brought to my attention for timely resolution,” he said. Aboush added that employees can also reach out to the board through email.
Current employees who spoke to WUOT on the condition of anonymity have expressed concerns over daily operations at the store. One worker said that some departments lack protocol, noting instances of when misdated items were on display. A former employee under Aboush’s management said some products did not meet the store's product standards.
Employees also have shared concerns over how the store’s leaders interacted in meetings with union representatives over grievances filed by employees. Employees who are not managers have had representation by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1995 since 2021.
“If the status quo is maintained, I don’t foresee the co-op being a staple that it's been in the community for 40 years,” said one worker.
Aboush said the store and the union have regular meetings to address issues raised by employees to prevent further escalation.
Documents obtained by WUOT also finds that the co-op operated at a net loss of nearly $50,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024.
Aboush said that the co-op is still finalizing its numbers for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.
“The overall outlook for the entire fiscal year appears to be very promising,” he said.
Three Rivers Market is a financial supporter of WUOT.
