As workers at QSL America D/B/A North American Stevedoring Inc.’s marine terminals in Illinois ramp up their organizing efforts with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), the company has reportedly brought in a prominent — and controversial — labor relations consultant: Johan Pena.
Pena, a Miami-based union-buster known for his work sub-contracting with firms like LRI Consulting Services and Flores Labor Relations, has a history of advising employers on strategies to counter unionization drives. Under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), consultants engaged in activities to influence employees’ decisions regarding union representation are legally required to disclose their agreements and activities to the U.S. Department of Labor. This provision aims to provide transparency for workers about the forces at play during organizing campaigns.
However, concerns are being raised about Pena’s compliance with these disclosure requirements in the QSL America case. As of the time of this report, Johan Pena has not publicly disclosed the terms of his engagement with QSL America. This lack of transparency is not new for Pena; his 2025 disclosures show a pattern of “deficient and delinquent Forms LM-20,” which denies workers timely and crucial information about the anti-union efforts. Based on previous filings, it is estimated that Pena’s services could be costing QSL America hundreds of dollars an hour.
Workers involved in the organizing drive with IUOE are pushing back, expressing frustration that their employer is seemingly willing to spend significant sums on a union avoidance consultant rather than investing in their own workforce and addressing their concerns for better working conditions.
Adding to the tension, IUOE Local 150 recently released footage allegedly showing QSL America workers scaling barge lids without proper fall protection, highlighting safety concerns that workers claim are being overlooked by management. The union asserts that these safety issues underscore the need for collective bargaining and improved working conditions at the marine terminals.
This situation at QSL America mirrors a broader national trend where employers facing unionization efforts turn to highly paid consultants, often leading to accusations of prioritizing anti-union campaigns over employee well-being and fair labor practices. The ongoing developments at QSL America will likely be closely watched by labor advocates and worker rights organizations.
