Brandworkers connects retail and food employees with concerned citizens to win justice!
For Immediate Release:
Brandworkers
January 20, 2010
Workers Reach Comprehensive Settlement with Prominent Seafood Company
Protracted Grassroots Campaign Saw Over 75 Leading Restaurants Stop Serving Wild Edibles Products 
Update--- 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:
Noted Italian Eateries in the East Village Stop Serving Wild Edibles Seafood Over Workers' Rights Concerns
Wild Edibles Settles Labor Board Complaint over Five Illegal Terminations
November 14, 2008
New York, NY- To avoid trial set for Monday, embattled seafood supplier Wild Edibles, Inc. has settled a National Labor Relations Board complaint over the discharge of five pro-union workers and paying replacement workers to protest against the Industrial Workers of the World, among other charges. Wild Edibles will pay the workers almost
$40,000 and pledge to refrain from violating labor rights in the future.
Seafood Company Illegally Paid Anti-Union Protesters and Fired Another Union Supporter After Interrogation
October 23, 2008
New 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.
###UPDATE: 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.
Celebrated 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.
UPDATE: Wild Edibles outed on influential food blogs including photos-
http://eater.com/archives/2008/09/eaterwire_119.php
http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/09/brandworkers_spies_on_wild_edi.html
Statement of Brandworkers on Wild Edibles' Deceptive Use of Corporate Fronts
August 26, 2008
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.
