Beloved Nolita Restaurant Lends a Hand to Workers' Movement for a Better Future
August 19, 2008
New York, NY- The Kitchen Club, the popular Nolita restaurant known for its unique dumplings, has stopped serving seafood from wholesaler and retailer, Wild Edibles, Inc. over concern for employee rights. Wild Edibles workers have been campaigning for almost a year to stake out a brighter future for their families.
"A holistic view of wholesome food, including respect for those who create and serve it, is one of our core values," said Marja Samsom, the owner and head chef of The Kitchen Club. "It is my view that Wild Edibles' business practices are currently incompatible with our values and we are no longer serving its products."
While Wild Edibles has filed for Chapter 11 protection, the company continues to operate its business as it works its way out of bankruptcy. The Wild Edibles workers have vowed to continue the campaign until they win the respect they are seeking.
When Wild Edibles workers demanded the overtime pay which had been illegally withheld from them and respect for the right to join a union, owner Richard Martin embarked on a relentless campaign of retaliation including firing or forcing out twelve of the workers. A federal judge hit Wild Edibles with an injunction against further retaliation which the company quickly proceeded to violate. The workers' lawyers have filed a motion asking the judge to find the company in contempt of court for not respecting the injunction. In addition, the National Labor Relations Board has issued two complaints against the company for interfering with the workers' efforts to form a union with the Industrial Workers of the World.
The Kitchen Club joins a growing list of top restaurants who have dropped Wild Edibles over concern for workers' rights. Those restaurants include Pastis, Union Square Cafe, La Goulue, Mermaid Inn, Giorgione, Sushi Samba, One if by Land, Two if by Sea, China Grill, Kittichai, and Tavern on the Green.
Brandworkers International is a non-profit organization that empowers retail and food employees with legal, advocacy, and organizing tools. The Brandworkers Focus on the Food Chain initiative promotes worker justice along the food supply chain. Focus on the Food Chain is providing comprehensive support to twenty-four current and former Wild Edibles employees.
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