Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, have reportedly endorsed a boycott of several high-profile Washington, D.C., restaurants over ongoing labor disputes with two hospitality groups, STARR and Knightsbridge Restaurant Group. The restaurant groups have denounced the boycott as ‘baseless,’ arguing that it could harm employees’ livelihoods. STARR, which operates iconic eateries like Le Diplom, has expressed concerns that the union’s actions may be detrimental to both workers and the restaurants themselves. Knightsbridge, which manages popular spots such as Rasika and Modena, has also criticized the lawmakers, questioning their awareness of the boycott’s consequences. The union, Local 25, claims the restaurants have engaged in ‘union busting’ and seeks to protect workers’ rights through this protest.
A hospitality workers’ union has organized dozens of Democratic lawmakers to boycott popular Washington, D.C., eateries over allegations of union busting, according to a report. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Nancy Pelosi, have reportedly endorsed a boycott of six high-dollar Washington, D.C., restaurants, citing labor disputes with two restaurant groups, STARR and Knightsbridge Restaurant Group. STARR, which operates high-profile establishments such as Le Diplomate, has called the boycott ‘baseless,’ arguing that it would harm employees. A STARR representative stated, ‘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. A boycott of any kind can result in lost hours, wages, and tips that our hardworking employees rely upon.’
Knightsbridge, the owner of the second restaurant group, took a more direct approach, questioning the lawmakers’ understanding of the boycott. ‘How many of these congress members even know themselves that they’re signing?’ the owner told Axios. STARR owns Osteria Mozza, The Occidental, and Le Diplomate, the latter of which has long been a fixture among Washington, D.C., elites, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Knightsbridge manages Rasika, Modena, and Bombay Club. The union, Local 25, claims the restaurants have engaged in ‘union busting’ and is calling for D.C. customers to boycott these establishments as part of a broader campaign to support workers’ rights.
Local 25 has been organizing efforts for months, with hundreds of workers at some of D.C.’s most renowned and profitable restaurants, including Le Diplomate and Rasika, involved in the campaign. A flyer obtained by Axios reads, ‘Hundreds of workers at some of D.C.’s most prominent and lucrative restaurants – including Le Diplomate and Rasika – have been organizing to join UNITE HERE Local 25. These workers have endured months of union busting from their employers – STARR and Knightsbridge Restaurants.’ The union’s protests have included informational picket lines outside the restaurants, and they are now urging the public to avoid eating, meeting, or drinking at these locations as a form of pressure on the restaurant groups.
While the boycott is framed as an effort to support workers, it has sparked controversy among restaurant owners and their allies. The union’s actions have drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with some arguing that the boycott could have lasting negative consequences for the restaurant industry and its employees. Despite the controversy, the movement reflects ongoing tensions between labor organizations and private employers in the hospitality sector, highlighting the broader debate over workers’ rights and employer responsibilities in an industry known for its high turnover and labor-intensive operations.