Press release: NLRB Files Complaint
For Immediate Release: August 29th, 2023
Media Contact: Patrick Nevada, patnevada@gmail.com, 808.388.8438
NLRB Files Complaint Against Jollibee for Unfair Labor Practices
The United States’ National Labor Relations Board brought formal charges against the Philippine-based fast food corporation for illegally terminating nine workers in New Jersey after they petitioned for higher wages and better working conditions.
New Jersey, Jersey City – 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 and local community members launched the Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign in response to the illegal termination.
The complaint requires Jollibee to comply with the Journal Square workers’ demands, including reinstatement of the nine illegally terminated workers, back pay for wages lost due to termination, and a letter apologizing to the workers for their termination. Jollibee must also ensure that workers are informed of their rights to organize as enshrined in federal law by various means including posting their rights in the workplace, holding meetings with workers to read them their rights, and emailing these rights to all workers. Jollibee has until September 7th to respond to the NLRB.
“The NLRB filing a complaint affirms the charges that we put forward. Our rights to organize have been violated and there is more than enough evidence to prove it. I believe justice will be served because we have the facts to prove it. We encourage Jollibee workers to voice your concerns. Don’t let big corporations like Jollibee frighten you. We only want a better workplace for everyone,” said Mary Taino, Former Jollibee Worker.
“Our voices may not be heard by Jollibee, but we are getting the support of other workers, our communities, and the NLRB. We hope that other Jollibee workers to follow our footsteps and have the courage to speak out for your rights,” said Patricia Bui, Former Jollibee Worker.
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. Workers attempted to read aloud a letter of demands before being disrupted and forced outside by the New Jersey Police Department where they were met with about 50 community members outside of the restaurant for a rally.
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 9 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.
Despite attempts of being silenced in the workplace and on social media, the Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign has gained public support and momentum after the campaign launch in July. The campaign has gone viral in the Philippines and been contacted by Jollibee workers across the globe expressing their agreement with the campaign's demands and sharing their own stories of poor working conditions and harassment. The swift action of the NLRB can be attributed to the campaign’s popularity and the pressure put on Jollibee by workers continually speaking out against their labor violations.
“We are one step closer to justice against this company. My fellow workers, don’t be afraid to face abusive corporations. I encourage you to organize, talk about the problems in your store, and don’t let them silence your voice,” said Keyser Garganera, Former Jollibee Worker.
“Workers and communities of the Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign spoke out and the NLRB listened and did their job. This is a big step toward our demands for reinstatement, back pay and an apology. We have the power of workers and communities on our side. I know that we will win,” said Vincent Cruz, Former Jollibee Worker.
“As the NLRB complaint outlines, management at Jollibee Journal Square surveilled the workers’ efforts to gather signatures for a petition, then chose to terminate the workers to stop them from organizing collectively. This is in clear violation of federal law. The workers led a public campaign to expose Jollibee’s anti-worker practices and pushed the NLRB to take action. Justice for these violations will only be realized through the workers’ collective action,” said Jackelyn Mariano, a staff member of the Mission to End Modern Slavery (MEMS), an organization supporting the laid off workers.
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, putting into question the legitimacy of being placed on Forbes “best employers” list.
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.
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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