NYC restaurant workers say, ‘Exploitation, ain’t no way!’

A strong multinational picket line was held at the entrance of Capital Grille restaurant on East 42nd Street in New York on April 24. A flier handed to Manhattan shoppers during the event stated, “Take wage theft and discrimination off the Capital Grille menu!”

A class-action lawsuit was filed in 2012 against Darden Restaurants, Capital Grille’s owner, to contest illegal labor practices at the company’s restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, D.C. Darden is the largest full-service casual dining company in the world.

Organized by Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York, protesters denounced the racial discrimination, poverty wages, no sick leave and an abusive working environment at the hands of Darden bosses. Capital Grille’s employees include members of ROC-NY.

The growing support for the workers’ “workplace justice campaign” was visible, with students, union members and representatives of the May 1st Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights and Occupy Wall Street walking the picket line. These allies are determined to build support until all restaurant workers have rights and justice. Workers of the world, unite!

— Report & photo by Anne Pruden