WORKERS AT EVOLVE CAFE WALK OUT, call for BOYCOTT

   Virtually the entire workforce at Bellingham’s Evolve Cafe (above Village Books in Fairhaven) walked off the job early last week to protest work conditions. When a dishwasher was fired, the fuse was lit and the walk out was on.

Workers are calling for a boycott of the cafe to protest the arbitrary work rules as well as pressure from the owners to work through breaks. A statement was sent to IWW by the workers:

• The wrongful termination of our colleague..
• Lack of formal workplace policies on critical issues like breaks, meals, sick time, tip sharing, dress code, and workplace harassment.
• A toxic environment where the moods of the owners directly affect staff treatment, fostering fear and intimidation.
• Chronic under-staffing that places unfair pressure on workers.
• A power imbalance where employees feel their jobs are at risk based on personal dynamics with the owners.

   The workers organized a picket line on the street last Saturday, joined by IWW members and other supporters. The cafe closed down rather suddenly that day. A second picket was held at the building entrances today, despite the chilly conditions.

   Last week, one of the dishwashers, R., was sick and felt they shouldn’t go in. Taking the initiative, they called another dishwasher to take the shift- this wasn’t unheard of. The owner of the small cafe (ten workers, usually three or four on a shift, none of whom are full time) took offense at her toes and management prerogative being stepped on and fired R.

   The bosses insist everyone voluntarily quit; the workers informed IWW they walked off in a job action in an effort to improve working conditions. That is ‘protected activity’ under the NLRB. Workers wanted to negotiate with the bosses, who lawyered up immediately and replied that a meeting could be held for 30 minutes in the lawyer’s office. No dice, no way. Never agree to that!

   IWW’s involvement came about when one of the workers went to a store to gather poster board for picket signs. An IWW member there alerted the Whatcom-Skagit IWW. Another IWW member, who formerly worked at Evolve, heard through the workers’ chat and almost simultaneously notified the Whatcom-Skagit Wobs. A couple members met with a delegation of Evolve workers to talk strategy.

   The bosses have posted signs at WWU and elsewhere advertising for new employees. Feel free to remove them if you see them, or even better help educate by using a sharpie and write ‘bad boss- don’t scab! A strike is on’.

   During today’s picket a delegation of supporters (not including any of the strikers) entered the coffee shop to make sure the bosses (both of them were there) knew that there was a small crowd of pickets out the front and back doors and that there is support from the community. Two new hires, who surely were in the dark about what is going on,  were in the kitchen this morning and heard the entire confrontation between the community supporters and both bosses.

   Stay tuned for notice of future pickets and updates. Email Whatcom-Skagit IWW at bellingham@iww.org and ask to be added to our ‘Solidarity Alert’ list, we will notify you directly of future developments.