WSLC Reports Today -- October 11, 2006

In April, 13 Coins was sold and the new owner immediately terminated the existing union contract.

All workers were told they would have to reapply for their old jobs. Many of these employees have worked there for 10, 20, or even over 30 years. These workers were left hanging for weeks, as one round of interviews was cancelled, then rescheduled. Some veteran workers were not rehired for "lack of experience." For several months, they have been working without a contract while the general manager has cancelled several negotiation dates.

Currently, the 13 Coins is paying a fraction of what the old owners paid for workers' medical coverage.

The number of workers who had insurance has plummeted from around 140 to about 7 workers. That is because the new ownership is demanding that workers pay the vast majority of insurance costs. In fact, an employee with a spouse and children will pay over 1000% more per month under the new ownership for inferior medical insurance, when compared to what they paid under the old ownership. The result is that many workers have gone out and found other insurance policies which are more affordable and are paying the full premium. Meanwhile, the 13 Coins profits increase dramatically because of the few people they have to pay their small co-insurance payment for.

The company has hired an attorney who uses anti-union tactics to deny workers the rights and benefits that they deserve. In early July, 13 Coins workers and union staff met with management for another grim round of negotiations. This was the third session, and the company continued its attempts to gut the compensation package for its employees. The fight is for family medical coverage.

In addition, the new owners' proposal would:

Eliminate the pension plan and dilute the vacation schedule, holiday schedule, and other benefits.
Eliminate the “Just Cause” grievance procedure. Instead, management would decide if a worker is “guilty.”
Have the contract expire in the dead of winter when it’s cold and business is slow.
Eliminate the Union Shop protections workers have, and make it easier for management to put up continuous legal challenges to employee rights.

The reputation that 13 Coins used to enjoy was a result of its good food and service and loyal longtime workers who have decent pay and benefits that they have fought for as union members over the years. Compared with non-union restaurants, these workers used to make decent wages with good benefits that many other non-union restaurant workers do not enjoy.

Now the new ownership has broken that promise. They want to pay workers less and thus pocket the difference.

We ask that you let the 13 Coins management know that you will not patronize the 13 Coins until this matter is resolved.