Noho Star, Paloma, Madison Bistro Demonstrate Social Responsibility in Support of Wild Edibles Workers
Submitted on Sun, 09/07/2008 - 5:19am
For Immediate Release:
Brandworkers International
Contact: press (at) brandworkers.org
Noho Star, Paloma, Madison Bistro Demonstrate Social Responsibility in
Support of Wild Edibles Workers
More Top New York Restaurants Stop Serving Wild Edibles Seafood Over
Workers' Rights Concerns
September 5, 2008
New York, NY- Three highly-regarded restaurants here have demonstrated that
ethical and sustainable business practices include consideration for the
well-being of workers employed by suppliers. Noho Star, Paloma, and Madison
Bistro have chosen not to serve seafood from Wild Edibles or its front-companies
until workers there are treated with respect and fairness. Twenty-four current
and former Wild Edibles workers have been campaigning for over a year to make
positive change on the job and reclaim unlawfully withheld overtime
pay.
"Despite all the firings and threats from Wild Edibles, we have continued
fighting because we hope for a better life for our families," said Cesar
Barturen, a Wild Edibles worker terminated for participating in a class action
overtime lawsuit and union organizing at the company. "We are very grateful
that these restaurants heard our call for justice."
Wild Edibles recently filed for Chapter 11 protection and started operating
under various aliases like "Blue Harvest" and "Lobster Palace" in a continuing
bid to avoid accountability to its workers. Over the Labor Day weekend, workers
were joined by NewYork City Council Member Eric Gioia in front of Terrance
Brennan's Artisanal Bistro to reveal that the restaurant continued serving Wild
Edibles seafood through a front after Artisanal stated in writing that it had
stopped serving products from the company (watch video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhZ1VzFUU5E.
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.
Noho Star, Paloma, and Madison Bistro join 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,
The Kitchen Club, 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 the principle that a
wholesome and sustainable food system must incorporate respect for workers'
human rights.