For Immediate Release:
Brandworkers
January 20, 2010
Workers Reach Comprehensive Settlement with Prominent Seafood Company
Content | Wild Edibles
After Hard-Fought Campaign, Brandworkers Achieves Victory at Wild Edibles
Posted January 20th, 2010 by brandworkersUPDATED Kittichai Breaks its Word and Returns to Wild Edibles
Posted March 30th, 2009 by brandworkersUpdate--- Thanks to your phone calls from around the world and the actions of Wild Edibles workers on the ground in NYC, Kittichai has decided to honor its word and refrain from serving seafood from the Wild Edibles sweatshop. Thank you for all the support. Together we can create an economy that respects the contributions of retail and food employees and every working person.---
Friends:
Brandworkers has learned that Kittichai, the fancy Thai restaurant in New York City, has violated its word and gone back to serving seafood from the Wild Edibles sweatshop.
Wild Edibles and its owner Richard Martin have stolen overtime pay from workers for some 15 years and went on a retaliatory firing spree when workers spoke up for their rights.
Though Kittichai pledged in writing to refrain from serving seafood from Wild Edibles until the workers' rights dispute was resolved, the restaurant's general manager has admitted that Kittichai is not living up to its word and that Chef Lulzim Rexhepi is purchasing large quantities of seafood from Wild Edibles.
The workers of Wild Edibles feel betrayed and insulted as they had previously saluted Kittichai publicly for lending a hand in their time of need.
Please call Kittichai at 212-219-2000 and express your concern that the restaurant has not lived up to its word and is profiting off worker exploitation at Wild Edibles. Demand that Kittichai stop serving Wild Edibles today.
If you get a moment, drop Brandworkers an e-mail at info@brandworkers.org to let us know you participated. Thank you in advance for supporting the dignity of working people.
UPDATED Kittichai Breaks its Word and Returns to Wild Edibles
Posted March 30th, 2009 by brandworkersUpdate--- Thanks to your phone calls from around the world and the actions of Wild Edibles workers on the ground in NYC, Kittichai has decided to honor its word and refrain from serving seafood from the Wild Edibles sweatshop. Thank you for all the support. Together we can create an economy that respects the contributions of retail and food employees and every working person.---
Friends:
Brandworkers has learned that Kittichai, the fancy Thai restaurant in New York City, has violated its word and gone back to serving seafood from the Wild Edibles sweatshop.
Wild Edibles and its owner Richard Martin have stolen overtime pay from workers for some 15 years and went on a retaliatory firing spree when workers spoke up for their rights.
Though Kittichai pledged in writing to refrain from serving seafood from Wild Edibles until the workers' rights dispute was resolved, the restaurant's general manager has admitted that Kittichai is not living up to its word and that Chef Lulzim Rexhepi is purchasing large quantities of seafood from Wild Edibles.
The workers of Wild Edibles feel betrayed and insulted as they had previously saluted Kittichai publicly for lending a hand in their time of need.
Please call Kittichai at 212-219-2000 and express your concern that the restaurant has not lived up to its word and is profiting off worker exploitation at Wild Edibles. Demand that Kittichai stop serving Wild Edibles today.
If you get a moment, drop Brandworkers an e-mail at info@brandworkers.org to let us know you participated. Thank you in advance for supporting the dignity of working people.
Frank Restaurants Demonstrate Support for Sustainable and Humane Food System
Posted November 24th, 2008 by brandworkersNoted Italian Eateries in the East Village Stop Serving Wild Edibles Seafood Over Workers' Rights Concerns
Labor Board Hits Wild Edibles with Third Complaint in Less Than a Year
Posted October 23rd, 2008 by brandworkersSeafood Company Illegally Paid Anti-Union Protesters and Fired Another Union Supporter After Interrogation
October 23, 2008
New York, NY- The National Labor Relations Board has issued another
complaint against Wild Edibles, Inc., a once well-regarded seafood
wholesaler and retailer. Based on an investigation triggered by
charges from the Industrial Workers of the World, the federal labor
agency has accused Wild Edibles of interrogating and firing employee
Julio Carbonel for protected organizing activities and of paying
replacement workers to crash a labor rally.
YouTube: Rev. Billy and Pastor Mansfield Visit New York City Wine & Food Festival to Protest Chef Terrance Brennan
Posted October 13th, 2008 by brandworkersNew Voices Add Support to the Campaign for Worker Dignity at Wild Edibles, Inc.
October 13, 2008New York, NY- Reverend Billy, a nationally-known advocate for responsible consumption and Pastor Jeff Mansfield, a leading voice for food justice at Judson Memorial Church, joined with Wild Edibles workers and their supporters this weekend to protest chef and restaurant owner Terrance Brennan at the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Brennan's Artisanal Bistro lied in writing by stating that it was no longer serving seafood processed by the Wild Edibles sweatshop when it in fact did continue to serve Wild Edibles products.
"Mr. Brennan, honor your word," exclaimed Rev. Billy into a megaphone during a sidewalk sermon in front of the food festival panel featuring Terrance Brennan. "[The Wild Edibles workers] don't want to work in a sweatshop. Even celebrity chefs have to do the right thing."
Wild Edibles workers and supporters handed out leaflets to festival attendees featuring Terrance Brennan's portrait and an explanation of the deception carried out by his restaurant company. Protesters were also treated to a champagne toast, just like the guests at the event, with the message that working families deserve the best.
"We've been fighting for overtime pay for over a year and we've been abused on the job and harassed," explained fired Wild Edibles employee Lino Martinez to the assembled crowd. "We will continue to struggle for as long as it takes." Mr. Martinez is one of several workers that the federal Labor Board says was fired by Wild Edibles owner Richard Martin in retaliation for participating in an overtime lawsuit and for supporting the Industrial Workers of the World labor union.
The awareness event was sponsored by the Brandworkers Focus on the Food Chain campaign. Focus on the Food Chain promotes a sustainable food system which incorporates respect for workers' human rights.
###YouTube: Rev. Billy and Pastor Mansfield Visit New York City Wine & Food Festival to Protest Chef Terrance Brennan
Posted October 13th, 2008 by brandworkersNew Voices Add Support to the Campaign for Worker Dignity at Wild Edibles, Inc.
October 13, 2008New York, NY- Reverend Billy, a nationally-known advocate for responsible consumption and Pastor Jeff Mansfield, a leading voice for food justice at Judson Memorial Church, joined with Wild Edibles workers and their supporters this weekend to protest chef and restaurant owner Terrance Brennan at the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Brennan's Artisanal Bistro lied in writing by stating that it was no longer serving seafood processed by the Wild Edibles sweatshop when it in fact did continue to serve Wild Edibles products.
"Mr. Brennan, honor your word," exclaimed Rev. Billy into a megaphone during a sidewalk sermon in front of the food festival panel featuring Terrance Brennan. "[The Wild Edibles workers] don't want to work in a sweatshop. Even celebrity chefs have to do the right thing."
Wild Edibles workers and supporters handed out leaflets to festival attendees featuring Terrance Brennan's portrait and an explanation of the deception carried out by his restaurant company. Protesters were also treated to a champagne toast, just like the guests at the event, with the message that working families deserve the best.
"We've been fighting for overtime pay for over a year and we've been abused on the job and harassed," explained fired Wild Edibles employee Lino Martinez to the assembled crowd. "We will continue to struggle for as long as it takes." Mr. Martinez is one of several workers that the federal Labor Board says was fired by Wild Edibles owner Richard Martin in retaliation for participating in an overtime lawsuit and for supporting the Industrial Workers of the World labor union.
The awareness event was sponsored by the Brandworkers Focus on the Food Chain campaign. Focus on the Food Chain promotes a sustainable food system which incorporates respect for workers' human rights.
###UPDATED: Join Brandworkers to Crash Celebrity Chef Appearance at Ritzy Food Festival!
Posted October 1st, 2008 by brandworkersUPDATE: Protest was a resounding success! Watch the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmwHIBsLlqk
Terrance Brennan, Honor Your Word to the Workers of Wild Edibles!
Workers at the Wild Edibles seafood company are striving to win respect for the hard work they put in everyday. Over forty of New York's most prominent restaurants have stopped serving seafood processed by Wild Edibles because of the overwhelming evidence of workers' rights violations there.
Celebrity chef Terrance Brennan's Artisanal Bistro stated in writing that it was no longer using Wild Edibles after being informed of the labor abuses taking place including unlawfully withholding overtime pay and illegal union-busting against workers who support the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. But after being exposed for continuing to serve Wild Edibles, Brennan admitted to the news media that he was still in fact serving seafood from the company.
Now, Terrance Brennan is set to show off with fellow celebrity chefs at the fancy New York City Wine & Food Festival. Come join a spirited protest to show Brennan that New Yorkers respect hard work as well as the contribution of immigrants and all workers to society:
Saturday, October 11 at 4:30pm
874 Washington Street at 14th Street at Diane Von Furstenberg
Sponsored by Brandworkers Focus on the Food Chain and La Union
UPDATED: Join Brandworkers to Crash Celebrity Chef Appearance at Ritzy Food Festival!
Posted October 1st, 2008 by brandworkersUPDATE: Protest was a resounding success! Watch the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmwHIBsLlqk
Terrance Brennan, Honor Your Word to the Workers of Wild Edibles!
Workers at the Wild Edibles seafood company are striving to win respect for the hard work they put in everyday. Over forty of New York's most prominent restaurants have stopped serving seafood processed by Wild Edibles because of the overwhelming evidence of workers' rights violations there.
Celebrity chef Terrance Brennan's Artisanal Bistro stated in writing that it was no longer using Wild Edibles after being informed of the labor abuses taking place including unlawfully withholding overtime pay and illegal union-busting against workers who support the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. But after being exposed for continuing to serve Wild Edibles, Brennan admitted to the news media that he was still in fact serving seafood from the company.
Now, Terrance Brennan is set to show off with fellow celebrity chefs at the fancy New York City Wine & Food Festival. Come join a spirited protest to show Brennan that New Yorkers respect hard work as well as the contribution of immigrants and all workers to society:
Saturday, October 11 at 4:30pm
874 Washington Street at 14th Street at Diane Von Furstenberg
Sponsored by Brandworkers Focus on the Food Chain and La Union
At Centro Vinoteca and Gusto, Creative Food Philosophy Includes Respect for Workers' Rights
Posted September 16th, 2008 by brandworkersCelebrated Italian Restaurants Choose Not to Serve Seafood from Wild Edibles or its Front Companies
Contact: press (at) brandworkers.org
September 16, 2008
New York, NY- Centro Vinoteca and Gusto, the popular Village restaurants sought after for their creative Italian specialties, have stopped serving seafood from wholesaler and retailer, Wild Edibles, Inc. over concern for workers' rights. Employees have been campaigning for over a year to win respect for work and family at Wild Edibles.
"Gusto and Cento Vinoteca are proud to support the hard working employees of Wild Edibles who are striving for change," said George Elkins, Vice President & Managing Director of Mangia Hospitality Group. "To honor the principles of dignity and fairness, the restaurants are no longer serving seafood from Wild Edibles, Inc. or any of its associated companies."