07-02-2025
Restaurant workers rally in DC, alleging workplace harassment, mistreatment
WASHINGTON () — Workers from three Washington, D.C. restaurants rallied at Union Market Thursday, claiming women and immigrant workers have been experiencing workplace harassment and mistreatment.
owns Pastis, St. Anselm and Le Diplomate, whose unionizing workers were at the core of Thursday's rally.
'Being a part of the restaurant world in D.C., I know that sexual harassment runs rampant in the industry – and Pastis is unfortunately no exception,' Danielle Katz, a server at Pastis said, according to UNITE HERE Local 25. 'I've quit other restaurants, including the last one I worked, because of sexual harassment. I don't want to quit Pastis because through our union, I finally see a way forward.'
Rasika workers demand unionization at restaurant, accuse owner of blocking efforts
– a hospitality workers union that represents thousands of employees in the DMV – said STARR workers reported that they have filed statements with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over hostile work environments 'on the basis of race, sex, and disability, as well as failures to accommodate pregnant women.'
Workers have also reportedly filed reports with the D.C. Office of Human Rights on STARR's failures to notify Spanish-speaking pregnant employees of their rights under the District's Paid Family Leave Law.
A pastry cook at St. Anslem told UNITE HERE Local 25 that she had her baby back in November.
'When I told management that I needed time off to have my baby and spend time with my son, management did not explain to me the rights I had in this city as a new mother,' Maria Delgado explained.
In mid-January, workers at the three restaurants announced their intention to unionize and sought voluntary recognition from STARR Restaurants.
UNITE HERE Local 25 said STARR refused to voluntarily recognize its workers' union and resorted to union-busting tactics.
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National Labor Relations Board elections are set for St. Anselm on Feb. 21 and Pastis on Feb. 28.
Workers at Rasika Penn Quarter . They said they want to unionize, but the owner – Knightsbridge Restaurant Group – is blocking them from doing so.
UNITE HERE Local 25 said Knightsbridge has also rejected workers' demands to voluntarily recognize their union.
In a statement at the time of their , a Knightsbridge Restaurant Group spokesperson said, 'The majority of our employees have not expressed any desire to be represented by the union. Instead of recognizing that choice, the union has resorted to incessant harassment of our associates and engaged in an unlawful smear campaign to tarnish the reputation we have built over 36 years. We will not give into the union's tactics at the expense of our employees' democratic right to choose whether they want to be represented by a union. We will always treat our employees with respect, dignity, and appreciation.'
DC News Now reached out to STARR Restaurants but did not hear back in time for publication.
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