Press release: All Demands Met

Photo credit: SIKLAB Media

For Immediate Release: November 27, 2023

Media Contact: Patrick Nevada, patnevada@gmail.com, 808.388.8438

‘All Demands Met’: Jollibee Workers Win Reinstatement, Back Pay, and Apology After Illegal Termination

The Philippine-based fast food restaurant will pay $84,600 in back pay and consequential damages to all nine illegally terminated workers. 

New Jersey, Jersey City – After months of community pressure, the Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign is declaring victory after the Philippine-based corporation finalized a settlement for reinstatement, back pay, and a public apology. The settlement comes after workers and community members protested in various Jollibee locations and the National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint against the corporation for violating federal labor law and their right to organize.

All nine workers who were illegally terminated in February will be receiving a sum total of $84,600 back pay and consequential damages. Four of the nine workers will be returning to work in the Journal Square location. Management will also be sending a formal apology to the workers, acknowledging the illegal firing and reciting their rights to organize.

“I feel relieved that justice has been served and Jollibee is now paying for taking advantage of their workers. It is not easy for workers to be heard. Winning against Jollibee only proved that despite how big of a company you're fighting against, as long as you know that you are in the right, justice will prevail in the end. We must never stop fighting for our rights,” said Elvin T, Illegally terminated Jollibee worker.

“Most people would just say Jollibee is too big of a company and nothing will be changed but it took the power of the people to win this campaign. Every worker has a voice and no matter what, they should speak up if they are being treated unfairly. This is a huge win. We deserve to be treated properly,” said Patrick D, Illegally Jollibee terminated worker.

Journal Square management fired nine Jollibee workers in February after they discovered a petition being circulated for a $3 pay raise (up from the $14 wage they receive), double pay on holidays, and better working conditions. Over 90% of Jollibee workers signed the petition. On July 6th, former and current Jollibee workers, including 5 of 9 illegally terminated workers, alongside the support of community organizations, launched the Justice for Jollibee Workers Campaign with a protest action at the Journal Square location calling for reinstatement, back pay, and a public apology. Workers and community members engaged in a series of protests in New York, New Jersey, and Seattle.

“It took solidarity to win this campaign. This victory shows that even big corporations like Jollibee are able to be beaten. It means workers shouldn’t be scared to practice their basic workers rights. My advice to Jollibee workers across the world is don’t be scared to stand up. If you feel you are being treated unfairly, express yourself, to your fellow peers or management, it is your right.” said Mary Kirsten T., illegally terminated Jollibee worker.

“Justice is finally being given to Jollibee workers. This victory is very important for us who work in fast-food restaurants like me because sometimes workers are the ones without a voice to fight back when they are mistreated at work. This win is a huge deal for us as fast-food workers, showing that we can stand up for our rights when we are not treated properly. My advice to all Jollibee workers worldwide is don't hesitate to speak up if you're mistreated. You work hard for yourself and your family, so stand up for what's right. Regardless of the company's reputation, if your rights are violated, assert yourself; they have no right to mistreat you, “ said Kyra D, illegally terminated Jollibee worker.

“I am happy that all the hard work finally paid off and justice has been served. Even if you are up against a big company, you shouldn’t be scared of what you do and just fight back, do the right thing and prove that all you fast food workers always have rights,” said Ivan Rey, illegally terminated Jollibee worker.

Jollibee initially responded to the workers’ demands by arguing that they are experiencing financial difficulties, despite publicly announcing strong financial growth, alongside aggressive plans to open 500 stores in North America in the next five to seven years, adding to the over 6,300 stores across the globe. The Journal Square location also hired 13 workers within a month of firing the nine workers, discrediting claims that the company is experiencing financial woes. In an attempt to convince workers of the corporation’s money troubles back in February, managers presented a bar graph with no numbers or data.

The National Labor Relations Board brought charges against Honeybee Food Corporation, the North American arm of the Philippines-based Jollibee fast food restaurant for violating federal law. The U.S. federal labor agency found merit to the complaint made by nine workers in the Journal Square location that they were illegally terminated in February after organizing a petition for higher wages and better working conditions.

Jollibee workers in the United States, the Philippines, and across the globe have reported labor issues such as wage theft, chronic understaffing and scheduling issues, misclassification of workers, and worker mistreatment. The chain made $31 million in profit in the US in 2022, with 40% of their total revenue coming from overseas. Despite this growth, workers are reporting deteriorating working conditions and harmful work practices. The Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign plans to continue supporting workers at other Jollibee locations who will take action and organize for their rights in the future.

About the Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign. The Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign is an effort led by workers at the Jollibee Journal Square branch who were illegally terminated for organizing for higher wages and better working conditions. They are supported by community members and labor organizations in their fight, and encourage all workers at Jollibee locations across the globe to organize with them.

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