A History of the Union Campaign at Lodi

Restaurant Workers' Voice
Written By Restaurant Workers Union

Fall 2022

75% of Lodi workers signed cards saying that we want a union.

January-February 2023

Over 20 of us went to the Lodi office to ask that the company recognize us voluntarily. The company refused, so we prepared for a union election.

The company hired a union-busting expert to come in and tell workers lies about the union. Management committed many violations of labor law, leaving workers confused and scared.

We narrowly lost the vote, but we didn’t give up, because we knew the election was not free and fair.

February-October 2023

The government investigated the election, weighing evidence submitted by both sides.

April 5, 2024

The government agreed the election was not free and fair, and announced 24 charges against the company, including

  • appealing to racial prejudice,

  • surveilling electronic communications,

  • threatening workers with retaliation,

  • implying unionizing will affect immigration status,

… and more

September 9, 2024

The trial will take place. If we win even a handful of the charges, we will have a union!

Restaurant Workers Union
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