Workers Picketing Outside “City Bakery” In Manhattan
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
NEW YORK — On Saturday, July 5, “Wild Edibles” workers and their supporters protested in front of “The City Bakery” restaurant on West 18th Street. Protesters objected to City Bakery’s use of seafood purchased from the Wild Edibles Seafood Market — stating that Wild Edibles violates labor rights. The protesters told passersby to “avoid the seafood” holding signs that read, “Tame Wild Edibles” and “Wild Edibles Devours Workers.”
Several of the protesters were members of the Industrial Workers of the World – or Wobblies as they known in labor circles. The IWW was involved in a number of labor actions on Saturday as part of a “global day of action”.
The protesters picketed at City Bakery in defense of several workers who have been fired from Wild Edibles. According to Brandworkers International, a non-profit group that advocates for workers, Wild Edibles owner Richard Martin has fired eleven workers “simply for asserting their right to overtime pay and to join a union”. Protesters said that Martin has also refused to comply with an injunction issued by a federal judge and continues to engage in what his workers see as union busting.
 NLN video clip featuring interviews with protesters. (In English and Spanish) |
Response from people walking by, and from City Bakery customers leafleted by Wild Edibles workers, was positive. Many of those who agreed to talk with the protesters were surprised to hear that City Bakery buys seafood from a firm that engages in unfair labor practices.
Workers have been organizing at the Wild Edibles seafood company since last summer. Since then, eleven have been fired for demanding to be paid overtime and attempting to form a labor union. The workers have filed a federal class-action lawsuit to recover their overtime wages.
Brandworkers International has been assisting the workers’ efforts by reporting Wild Edibles’ labor violations to restaurants that buy the company’s seafood. Over 25 restaurants have agreed to stop buying seafood from Wild Edibles until the labor dispute is resolved.
In May, Wild Edibles owner Richard Martin agreed to negotiate with the workers. After a month the talks stalled and Martin broke off negotiations.
Brandworkers has asked City Bakery — one of the more prominent Wild Edibles customers — to stop buying seafood from Wild Edibles until the labor dispute is resolved. City Bakery has refused to talk to Brandworkers about the situation.
Stephanie Basile of wobblycity.org contributed to this article.
Wild Edibles Workers – Fired By Owner Richard Martin
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
