Stephen Starr Workers Protest Alleged Workplace Violations | Eater DC
"Workers at the restaurant participated in a rally and have alleged “unjust working conditions” through Unite Here Local 25; the union has filed NLRB complaints over alleged labor‑law violations in two Starr restaurants and workers have filed EEOC statements alleging hostile work environments “on the basis of race, sex, and disability,” plus failures to accommodate pregnant employees. The filing at D.C.’s Office of Human Rights alleges Spanish‑speaking pregnant employees were not informed of their Paid Family Leave rights; pastry cook Maria Delgado said: “When I told management that I needed time off to have my baby ... management did not explain to me the rights I had in this city as a new mother,” and “I learned all this thanks to one of my colleagues who explained my rights to me.” Employees at this location announced plans to unionize in mid‑January; Local 25 says 60 percent of workers across the three restaurants have signed authorization cards and that this location has an NLRB election scheduled for February 21. Local 25 says the three restaurants together employ around 400 people and that a majority would substantially increase membership in the 75‑year‑old union, which it says is primarily composed of immigrants and women of color. The union alleges management refused to acknowledge workers’ right to organize; management responded with a statement asserting commitment to a “respectful, fair workplace” and support for a secret‑ballot NLRB election: “The management at [the restaurants] are committed to fostering a respectful, fair workplace environment where staff feel welcome, safe, and heard... Our day‑to‑day staff – the people in the kitchens, on the floor, and behind the bar – are the lifeblood of our restaurants.” A longtime front‑of‑house employee (anonymous) opposed the union, saying: “I’ve worked in toxic places before, and this is not one of those places,” and “I have never had any issues advocating [here] on my own behalf,” while also criticizing the union’s organizing as rushed: “It was done so quickly and secretly and didn’t include every single employee.” The report notes the original New York locations of these concepts are not involved in the current unionization efforts." - Tierney Plumb
