Press Release: Jollibee Workers in U.S. Continue Organizing Wave
Workers in Maryland Send Letter to Management Demanding Double Pay on Holidays
The campaign launch comes after Jollibee workers in New Jersey
Won Reinstatement Back Pay after Illegal Firing
Jollibee workers in Maryland available for interview
Wheaton, Maryland - Jollibee workers at the popular Philippines-based fast food restaurant in Wheaton delivered a letter signed by the majority of employees to store management demanding double pay for crew members who work on holidays. The campaign for holiday pay launches weeks after the Jollibee workers in New Jersey successfully organized to win reinstatement and backpay.
“Moving forward, we are calling for double pay for crew members who work holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, to name a few of 14 holidays observed in the state of Maryland and across other states,” the letter to management states. Workers say they are owed double time pay and more and see this as a solution to management in filling undesirable shifts.
Since delivering the letter, management has not provided an adequate resolution nor response to the workers' request for holiday pay, opting instead to conduct a series of one-on-one interviews with the crew investigating who wrote the petition letter. Workers see this as management actions toward illegal worker retaliation.
Workers also sent out a community letter to garner support: “Jollibee has been a symbol of home for Filipinos living abroad. Jollibee claims to promote family, and those values should extend to ensure employees who work holidays and have their own families to think of, receive fair compensation. We ask that our community amplify our demand and support the makers of your all-time favorite Jollibee food.”
In addition, the letter states: “The lack of holiday pay is a disregard of the family values at the core of Jollibee’s Filipino roots, and of the company's supposed "values", by being expected to work holidays with no consideration of the workers time and efforts away from their families.”
The letter calls for “swift action” from management since the majority of crew at Jollibee Wheaton support this effort for double pay on holidays. Workers noted they are “prepared to engage in further actions ”should we see it necessary to take these steps.”
In October, Jollibee workers in Jersey City, New Jersey won reinstatement, back pay and an apology after months of community organizing and an NLRB ruling stated that Jollibee broke federal labor law. Jersey City Jollibee workers were also organizing for holiday pay, alongside higher wages before they were illegally terminated. Workers in the Wheaton location were inspired to take action after hearing about the successful organizing efforts.
The corporation opened 429 stores in 2023 alone of which 365 of those stores were in international markets that includes North America. Based on their own recent announcement of a robust third-quarter performance, marked by a record-high operating profit of Php4.3 billion and a remarkable 42.8% year-on-year revenue growth, the company continues to be silent on the issue of double holiday pay.
While celebrating their financial success, Jollibee Food Corp has yet to address the demands of its employees. This lack of communication raises concerns among workers about the company’s commitment to valuing its employees. As the business flourishes, it is crucial for Jollibee Food Corp to recognize the integral role its workers play in achieving such impressive financial results.
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