Press contacts, Spanish and English:
Mahoma Lopez, Laundry Workers Center, [email protected]
Rosanna Rodriguez, Laundry Workers Center, [email protected]

Workers in the basement warehouse below B&H Photo Video’s retail store in midtown Manhattan voted overwhelmingly today to join the United Steelworkers in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.

After months of training with the grassroots labor group Laundry Workers Center, workers took their campaign public on January 31, 2016, demanding an end to discriminatory, abusive and dangerous workplace conditions.

“Today, I am free. Not just me, but all my compañeros. We never thought we could realize our dreams, but now with the union it’s possible. ” said B&H Photo worker Zenaido Rosendo.

B&H Photo warehouse workers in Manhattan say they were inspired by the example of B&H warehouse workers in Brooklyn, who overwhelmingly voted to join United Steelworkers on November 4, 2015 after facing dangerous safety conditions, rampant discrimination, and an anti-union campaign including daily threats, harassment, and intimidation in the workplace.

“After this victory, what is coming is respect, fair treatment for all workers, and a decent salary.” said B&H Photo worker Benicio Najera.

“The B&H workers represent the mission of Laundry Workers Center in that they have to lead their own struggle. And when we organize, we win.” said Laundry Workers Center co-director Rosanna Rodriguez.

“We want to be an example for all the workers here in New York City. We want to encourage workers to look for support in the community. They can come out from the shadows because they are not alone.” said Rosendo.

Photo: Robert Pluma

Hoy fué una victoria historica para los trabajadores de los almacenes de B&H Photo y una inspiración para trabajadores en todas partes. Tras un año de organización, ahora los trabajadores tienen una voz, dignidad, respeto..SINDICATO. Ahora la lucha sigue hasta conseguir el contrato! ¡Hasta la victoria!

Today was a historic victory for B&H Photo warehouse workers and an inspiration to workers everywhere. After a year of organizing, workers now have a voice, dignity, respect… UNION! Now the struggle continues–on to a contract! ¡Hasta la victoria!

New York, NY—Ending a 2-month long public campaign to protest an August 31st closure of the 63rd street Hot and Crusty, workers announced today that they have come to a final agreement with the new ownership of the store, following several weeks of negotiations with investors Anthony Illuzzi and David Kay. Workers will return to the job in as little as three weeks under a new collective bargaining agreement that provides for a union hiring hall, paid vacation and sick time, wage increases, seniority and grievance and arbitration procedures. Widely regarded as a precedent-setting contract for the restaurant industry, The Hot and Crusty Workers Association enthusiastically welcomed news of the agreement.

Spanish and English:
Rosanna Rodriguez, Laundry Workers Center, 347-652-5724, [email protected]
Mahoma Lopez, Laundry Workers Center 347-488-6936 [email protected]

Hi-res photo attached — Photo credit: Laura Gottesdiener

In Face of Employer Intimidation, Workers Vow to Continue the Fight to Improve Unsafe Working Conditions, End Discrimination

NEW YORK, NY – Following last week’s announcement that workers at B&H Photo have launched a unionization drive in response to unsafe working conditions, widespread discrimination and wage theft, on Thursday workers were threatened with termination en masse.

Workers allege they were pulled aside throughout the day to meet with anti-union consultants demanding information about the union campaign and its “leaders”, threatening those who would not speak. Workers also report that management demanded workers sign paperwork, and were told to leave the premises when they did not. A management representative was heard saying “There will not be a union, over my dead body.” Workers recorded managers shouting at employees who would not comply with their orders, with one senior employee smashing the cell phone of a worker who was recording the incident. A criminal complaint has been filed with the NYPD to retrieve the employee’s damaged property. B&H management has retained the anti-union law firm Jackson Lewis, as well as public relations executive Ronn D. Torossian.

Workers say they were ordered off the premises of the Navy Yards warehouse–they subsequently rallied outside, joined by supporters and community allies. As news of the mass retaliation spread, workers at the Evergreen Avenue warehouse immediately demonstrated in solidarity with their colleagues at the Navy Yards warehouse. Faced with this strong display of solidarity from workers, community allies, and angry customers, the company subsequently claimed employees were never fired and could return to work on Friday.

This morning, workers reported to the job more committed than ever to carrying on their campaign to improve working conditions at B&H Photo.
Kevin Vega, a Shipping Department worker and 5-year employee of B&H, said “They threatened us by saying that if we don’t stop organizing we will get fired. What reassured us was that we are united and that we have community support and cannot be defeated.”

“These agents working for B&H were not successful in intimidating us because have the right to organize and we have support,” said Francisco Pimentel, Shipping Department, 5-year employee. “B&H rehired us because they need us. We are the labor force.”

Workers publicly announced their intent to organize with the United Steelworkers last Sunday, representing more than 150 warehouse workers employed in B&H’s two Brooklyn facilities. They are receiving training and support from the grassroots, worker-led community organization Laundry Workers Center. Workers are calling on the NY-based photo and video giant to fix dangerous workplace conditions, end wage theft, and stop the widespread discrimination and verbal abuse endured by Latino employees.

Workers and community allies have called for a rally this Sunday from 3-6pm in front of the B&H retail store at 420 9th Avenue. #BHexposed

About Laundry Workers Center:
LWC addresses the need for community-based leadership development geared toward improving the living and working conditions of workers in the laundry and food service industries, as well as their families. Our work aims to combat abuses such as landlord negligence, wage theft, and hazardous and exploitative working conditions, all of which are endemic in low-income communities in New York City and New Jersey.

Spanish and English:
Rosanna Rodriguez, Laundry Workers Center, 347-652-5724, [email protected]
Mahoma Lopez, Laundry Workers Center 347-488-6936 [email protected]

Hi-res photo attached — Photo credit: Laura Gottesdiener

In Face of Employer Intimidation, Workers Vow to Continue the Fight to Improve Unsafe Working Conditions, End Discrimination

NEW YORK, NY – Following last week’s announcement that workers at B&H Photo have launched a unionization drive in response to unsafe working conditions, widespread discrimination and wage theft, on Thursday workers were threatened with termination en masse.

Workers allege they were pulled aside throughout the day to meet with anti-union consultants demanding information about the union campaign and its “leaders”, threatening those who would not speak. Workers also report that management demanded workers sign paperwork, and were told to leave the premises when they did not. A management representative was heard saying “There will not be a union, over my dead body.” Workers recorded managers shouting at employees who would not comply with their orders, with one senior employee smashing the cell phone of a worker who was recording the incident. A criminal complaint has been filed with the NYPD to retrieve the employee’s damaged property. B&H management has retained the anti-union law firm Jackson Lewis, as well as public relations executive Ronn D. Torossian.

Workers say they were ordered off the premises of the Navy Yards warehouse–they subsequently rallied outside, joined by supporters and community allies. As news of the mass retaliation spread, workers at the Evergreen Avenue warehouse immediately demonstrated in solidarity with their colleagues at the Navy Yards warehouse. Faced with this strong display of solidarity from workers, community allies, and angry customers, the company subsequently claimed employees were never fired and could return to work on Friday.

This morning, workers reported to the job more committed than ever to carrying on their campaign to improve working conditions at B&H Photo.
Kevin Vega, a Shipping Department worker and 5-year employee of B&H, said “They threatened us by saying that if we don’t stop organizing we will get fired. What reassured us was that we are united and that we have community support and cannot be defeated.”

“These agents working for B&H were not successful in intimidating us because have the right to organize and we have support,” said Francisco Pimentel, Shipping Department, 5-year employee. “B&H rehired us because they need us. We are the labor force.”

Workers publicly announced their intent to organize with the United Steelworkers last Sunday, representing more than 150 warehouse workers employed in B&H’s two Brooklyn facilities. They are receiving training and support from the grassroots, worker-led community organization Laundry Workers Center. Workers are calling on the NY-based photo and video giant to fix dangerous workplace conditions, end wage theft, and stop the widespread discrimination and verbal abuse endured by Latino employees.

Workers and community allies have called for a rally this Sunday from 3-6pm in front of the B&H retail store at 420 9th Avenue. #BHexposed

About Laundry Workers Center:
LWC addresses the need for community-based leadership development geared toward improving the living and working conditions of workers in the laundry and food service industries, as well as their families. Our work aims to combat abuses such as landlord negligence, wage theft, and hazardous and exploitative working conditions, all of which are endemic in low-income communities in New York City and New Jersey.

Dear LWC and Liberato campaign supporters – At the request of the judge, Liberato workers have entered settlement talks with the restaurant to see if a fair agreement can be reached before trial. In addition, the judge is ordering an independent review of Mr. Liberato’s financial records–an important step for the campaign.

During this time the workers have asked everyone not to protest at Liberato Restaurant. As always we stand ready to join with the community and fight for justice in the workplace and beyond!

Hi-res photos available

New York, NY — A leader of the NYC-based Laundry Workers Center (LWC) said he received a death threat Monday night, during a rally of over seventy people outside Liberato Restaurant, a popular Bronx establishment. LWC co-director Mahoma Lopez, along with members of the worker center and several community groups and labor unions, was protesting the firings of three workers last weekend at the restaurant.

“Someone came out of the restaurant and approached me at the picket line,” Lopez said. “He told me to be careful because the company already has five hit men with guns.”

Picket details: https://www.facebook.com/events/618623021607314/

Since April 2014, Liberato workers with the support of the Laundry Workers Center have been engaged in a steadfast campaign against their employer protesting wage theft. After a year of trying to defeat workers from raising the issue of their stolen wages & other bad working conditions they were subjected to, through picketing and litigation the employer fought back suing for defamation and a bringing a false RICO charge against the workers. His approach has been to admit nothing, deny everything and issue counter charges while maintaining illegal pay practices. Now as the wage theft trial is approaching, Liberato attempted to “resolve” these issues out of Court with a bogus offer to settle. The offer was unreasonably low and required the workers who were still employed to leave. The workers refused, at which point three leaders of the campaign were immediately fired. On the same evening of the firings, another worker at home, noticed someone taking pictures of her car and license plate. In our opinion, by firing these workers Liberato has shown that his real interest was to rid the ranks of his employees of those seeking proper pay and an intent to continue to violate the law. Indeed after a year of being on notice of his failure to pay minimum wage and overtime he has not changed his pay practices one bit. He has tried to paint himself as the victim of a campaign to drive him out of business when the reality is he has benefited from his policies of violating wage and hour laws.

Laundry Workers Center is thrilled to announce that Moraima Ortiz and Kenny Bakery have reached an amicable agreement. Moraima Ortiz, an immigrant woman and a real fighter has inspired other women to speak out about their working conditions.

On October 22, a coalition of photography and video professionals launched an open letter to B&H management, calling on the photo manufacturing giant to end the hazardous working conditions and discriminatory practices that over 200 of its warehouse workers claim they regularly face, and to negotiate a fair labor contract.