Press release: REinstatement Offer
Photo credit: Alexandria Harris
For Immediate Release: October 16, 2023
Media Contact: Patrick Nevada, patnevada@gmail.com, 808.388.8438
Illegally Terminated Jollibee Workers to be Reinstated
The Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign will continue to pressure the corporation for full back pay, higher wages, and better working conditions
New Jersey, Jersey City – Jollibee workers who were illegally terminated at the Journal Square earlier this year were offered reinstatement by the Philippine-based fast food corporation following months of community pressure and an official complaint from the National Labor Relations Board. The Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign will continue to pressure the corporation for the full back pay demanded to the nine workers as the settlement is being finalized.
Some of the Illegally terminated workers will be returning to work as of Monday, October 16th in Journal Square, where they will continue to pressure the corporation for their original demands prior to getting illegally terminated: higher wages, holiday pay, and better working conditions.
“I feel happy because we are coming back to Jollibee and also got the job in order to support my family. This means we are one step closer to justice that we deserve. My message to other Jollibee workers: please organize and don’t let them silence your voice. Thank you everyone for the support we’re really happy and this wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community,” said Keyser Garganera, Reinstated Jollibee Worker
“Although we have full reinstatement, it does not mean the rampant workplace issues will be brushed over. Jollibee's offer was certainly needed and appreciated, but does not mean that our voices still won’t be heard. The Justice for Jollibee Workers Campaign is only at its beginnings. We have accomplished our goals, but it does not mean we will stop to speak for the unspoken. None of it would have happened without the support & courage given. We’re here for the win and more!” said Patricia Bui, Reinstated Jollibee Worker
“The reinstatement should be a big lesson learned. For Jollibee’s management and corporate leaders, the lesson is that when they break labor laws, they will be held accountable. The workers cannot be exploited and abused as easily as Jollibee thought. For Jollibee workers, the lesson is that when they speak up and fight for their rights, they will win and they have nothing to be afraid of,” said Jackelyn Mariano of the Mission to End Modern Slavery (MEMS), a community organization that has been supporting the Justice for Jollibee Workers’ campaign.
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.
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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