Thursday, April 9, we won our fight with the U district Pita Pit. Two hours into our second picket, the franchise owner came out and asked ex-employee John L to come inside (for the third time) and talk. John agreed, and a few minutes later he came out smiling, with a check in his hand for the full amount that had been withheld from his pay. Thanks to everyone who came out to make it happen!
Tuesday, April 7, we had to take this fight to the next level, with the first of what will be an ongoing series of strategically-timed pickets at the University district Pita Pit. The franchise owners are now admitting that no taxes were ever paid on behalf of ex-employee John, who now needs to file as an “independent contractor” and pay the taxes himself. That’s fine, says John, but what about the chunk of his pay that they always withheld from him “for taxes”?
So far the owners have still not resolved this, although they’ve had plenty of time to do so. Now we are bringing the issue to the attention of potential Pita Pit patrons, with a simple message: “DON’T EAT HERE!”
After months of being denied their full wages, the production workers at an expensive Seattle furniture business joined up with the Solidarity Network and began preparing for action.
Shortly before the fight was set to begin, they spoke with the owner, informed her that they were now involved with the Seattle Solidarity Network, and asked her once again for their pay.
The boss’s immediate reply: “No.”
Then, about 24 hours later, the three received an unexpected delivery: the pay they were owed, all of it, in cash.
Apparently the boss used those 24 hours wisely by browsing our website, looking at our past actions, and thinking about what such a conflict might do to her business.
This victory is the work of not just the three who took a stand, but of everyone who has taken part in these struggles over the past year. Thanks for being there! Of course, we are just getting started.
Today, a band of 25 gathered with John as he delivered his demand to the University-district Pita Pit fast food franchise: either produce the W2 tax form that they have so far refused him, or else pay up everything they “withheld for taxes” from his wages in 2008.
During the December snowstorms, Carlos and his son had to leave their north-Seattle apartment for over two weeks after a pipe burst and flooded the place. After the repairs were done, the owners – major Sound-area property developers – refused to let him deduct rent for the time they had been forced out. Carlos argued that this was unfair and withheld the money anyway, but the company kept insisting he had to pay. He then joined with the Solidarity Network and we prepared for an action campaign. He informed management that he did not intend to pay, and that he was now involved with the Solidarity Network. On Wednesday January 28, two days before the first planned action, we received word that the company had agreed to back off and let Carlos keep the money.