A hospitality workers’ union has organized a boycott of six high-dollar Washington, D.C., restaurants by dozens of Democratic lawmakers, according to recent reports. The action has been attributed to alleged union-busting practices by two prominent restaurant groups, STARR and Knightsbridge Restaurant Group. The boycott, which targets establishments like Le Diplomate and Rasika, is part of a larger effort to address labor disputes and improve working conditions for restaurant workers.
STARR, a prominent restaurant group that owns high-profile establishments such as Osteria Mozza, The Occidental, and Le Diplomate, has strongly condemned the boycott as ‘baseless.’ A representative from the group stated that ‘to the best of our knowledge, a majority of Le Diplomate employees have no interest in engaging in that process nor in being represented by a union.’ The restaurant group warned that the boycott could result in significant financial losses for employees, negating the potential benefits of unionization.
Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, which owns Rasika, Modena, and Bombay Club, has also issued a more direct critique of the lawmakers involved. The owner reportedly questioned how many of the congress members were aware of the boycott and its implications, highlighting the potential disconnect between the lawmakers and the workers they are supposedly representing. This skepticism underscores the growing tension surrounding labor practices in the hospitality industry.
The boycott is being spearheaded by Local 25, a union that has been actively advocating for the rights of D.C. restaurant workers. The union claims that workers at these establishments have faced months of resistance from their employers, including attempts to discourage unionization. This has led to a coordinated effort by workers to push for union representation and better working conditions.
Among the politicians backing the boycott are Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. These high-profile figures have been linked to the campaign, which has drawn attention from both the public and media. The involvement of such influential lawmakers has raised questions about the political motivations behind the boycott and its potential impact on the labor movement.
While the restaurant groups have expressed their disapproval of the boycott, the actions of the union and the lawmakers suggest a significant divide over labor practices and workers’ rights. This situation highlights the complex interplay between corporate interests, labor movements, and political agendas in the hospitality sector, particularly in the competitive environment of Washington, D.C.