DC restaurants claim that intimidation and revenge for Union Push

Workers in five high -class DC restaurants – Le Diplomatis, Pastis and St. Anselm from restaurateur Stephen Starr and Rasik and Modena from restaurant restaurant Group –announced the plans of the merger Last month. Work in the organization of this size is unprecedented in the local restaurant, and trade unions can collectively represent 500 workers of the front and back, if they are successful. So far, Knightsbridge and Starr restaurants have stated that they would not voluntarily recognize trade unions. Employees in some restaurants now claim that they face intimidation and revenge, trying to abolish their efforts – simplification, which both groups of restaurants deny.

In the Rasika Penn Quarter, unite the local 25 here – which represents workers from all restaurants – but three employees were fired for their participation in the Union. They also claim that the warders were threatened with union supporters and interviewees, which led to the complaint of unfair labor practice (ULP) to the National Council for Labor Relations, the Federal Agency, accused of protecting the rights of workers.

The owner of the Knightbridge restaurant group, Ashow Bajai calls the accusations “false” and claims that the union “is involved in a campaign with a defamatory smear, and also tries to pursue and force workers to change their opinion.”

“We did not take revenge against any employees in response to the union’s question. There was also no complaint against Rasika. The Union has charged the National Council for Labor Relations, which we hope to prove is groundless, ”he says. “Most of our employees continue to use their right to choose not to be represented by the Union … We are not subject to inappropriate and illegal tactics of the Union at the expense of the democratic right of our employees. We will always treat our workers with respect, dignity and gratitude. ”

Meanwhile, Starr restaurants have filed their own allegations of violating the law on labor law. In Pastis, they claim that executives questioned the employees about the union and told the kitchen staff that “they will be harder” with employees. In St. -selma, the manager allegedly told the employee that they should not support the union, as it would lead to the new “rules of release of the restaurant”.

In a written statement, the Starr restaurants were called ULP a “typical trade union tactics”, which “can be submitted regardless of the legitimate merit of the main accusations.” The group stated that restaurants would “protect” from these accusations to NLRB.

“The leadership in St. -Anselma and Pasta seeks to promote a respectable, fair workplace where the staff feels desirable, safe and heard. Restaurants have and continue to investigate any problems or problems raised by their employees and will take appropriate measures, if necessary, ” – continues Restarrals. The National Council for Labor Relations on Secret Elections of Voting, where every employee can vote without the influence of any party. “

“It was a big surprise.”

Halis Rodriguez, who has worked for nine years in the Penn Quarter for nine years by bus, polishing and cleaning, is among those who have been released. She says the owner of Ashuajai got the wind that the workers before something in December collided with her in a restaurant to ask what they were doing. “I told him that I had no idea I didn’t know what he was talking about,” she says, through a translator from Unite here local 25. She claims that Bajai offered her money to provide information about who participated in . “I just continued to say, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know why he offers me money, “she says.” He shouted at me, and then said that if I am involved, he would free me. “

Next week, Rodriguez says her hours were reduced by more than a half. Then the manager called to say, “There was no job for me,” she says. She says no one ever gave her an official reason why she was released. The shelling occurred a few days before the employees officially reported Bajaj that they intended to unite.

“It was a big surprise, especially for nine years. And I consider myself one of the best workers of Rasika, ”Rodriguez says.

The last three months of Yessenia Garcia, a buser in Raci, says that the restaurant has hired new buses and has reduced its hours, as the trade union campaign has become public, which, in her opinion, is a form of retribution and attempts to allocate supporters of the Union from their colleagues. She also says that managers have become more “intense” and “colder”, creating an atmosphere of stress.

In addition to what these False statements call, Knightsbridge has posted a series of video reviews on Instagram pages with their restaurants with employees who share, why they like to work in the company. “They never made me feel uncomfortable about how I talk, or as I look. It’s a really good place to work, ”writes hostess In the Quarter Rasik Penn. Another Knightsbridge employee is 14 years old that is currently working in Modena, says: “I love this place. Ash comes in every change, daily. He is the one I can talk to. I can ask him any questions. If I have any problems I can come to him. I love my job. “

“Looking for reason to punish us”

Brian Cruz Bernal, the chef passed who was talking Washington Through the translator, he says that the feeling in the kitchen was “very tense” because the efforts of the union became made public. He argues that kitchen staff are examined closer than usual as if “they always look for a reason to punish us.” For example, he says that they broke up on a tareness, giving a warning to one colleague, which came to work for 15 minutes is late after a long route. He says that managers have also become harder to use phones. While they have previously checked time or play music, he claims that the manager will knock the table and say, “No phones!”

Bernal says that the kitchen crew is no longer allowed to bring food from a woman with a basket of food that previously came to the back of the restaurant. He says they were also told that they also could not get food from the restaurant line. Bernal is usually joined at 8 or 9am, depending on the day, and family food only until 16:00. “There is no way to get food, and most of us come without having breakfast,” he says. “They just allowed us to eat while we did other things, but now even that.”

Otherwise, Bernal says he has entered to help colleagues who had many food tickets. When the boss -Kukhar came to watch work, he said it was good, but “what a shame that you have only three days to work.” Bernal perceived it as a threat that he may not keep his job.

In continuing our statement, Starr restaurants say: “We are proud of useful, professional workplace and growth opportunities that we offer our employees, and we believe that we have a starry reputation in the industry, with many of our employees remaining with us.”

Restarants Starr hired “Craps” from the American Labor Group to meet with employees. Starr restaurants say these specialists are intended to ensure that employees “understand their legal rights” and “help them make a reasonable decision.”

In the past submissions to the Ministry of Labor, the American Group of Labor – which led from other enterprises from 200 to $ 390 per hour or from 1800 to $ 3250 a day – said “makes every effort to achieve a positive result” for the employer through a range of services, which include employees on one and developing campaign materials.

Meanwhile, hundreds of workers and their supporters held a “march for respect” last week, which ended with a picket in front of Rasika. At the same time, the union encourages people to eat in restaurants, not to boycott them to support staff.

St. Saint -selma workers are ready to go to the NLRB election on February 21, with election dates for other Starr restaurants. No elections have yet been set for Knightsbridge. If most vote workers decide that they want to unite, restaurants will be legally obliged to agree on a contract with them in good faith.