Standing Up For Their Rights: Restaurant workers win stolen pay

posted 11/5/07

from CPA Boston Newsletter Fall 2007

In late August, at a Malaysian restaurant in Cambridge, MA, four workers took action together because their boss refused to pay their wages. They negotiated with him, refusing to return to work unless they were paid. Altogether, they were owed over $7000! But the negotiations fell apart, and because they did not get their pay, the workers quit work and the restaurant had to close. As one of the workers said, "Why should we work for nothing?"

The workers came to the Chinese Progressive Association together to get help and discuss a plan. During the meeting, they talked about how to pressure their boss, and considered going to his other restaurant to demand their owed money. They decided that if they were not able to get their pay, they would organize to demonstrate outside of that restaurant's door.

When they went to talk with the boss inside his other restaurant, in the face of their united strength, he knew he could no longer keep cheating his employees and had no choice but to pay them back. This time the workers' struggle was successful! Besides being united, the workers demonstrated their bold determination and cooperation. They demanded that they would not be satisfied unless the owner agreed to pay all of them, together.

As one worker, Mr. Ying Chew Wong, said, during their planning discussion, "If he won't give us our wages, we won't be afraid even if we have to demonstrate outside his restaurant. If we are united in spirit, we can succeed." Another worker, Ms. Chow, said, "The most important factor for being successful in struggling, is for everyone to cooperate together, to be united in action each time we go to demand our pay." She also encouraged those who are working to "not be selfish or petty while at work, in order to allow opportunities to collaborate. Then from this workers will grow united, and find a way to protect their own rights as well. Sometimes workers just think of their personal benefit - but if we make friends, it makes things easier."

The workers held a celebration party on September 4, at CPA's Membership Coffee Hour. They shared their experiences of successful struggle with other workers and CPA members, to encourage others facing similar attacks on their rights to stand up, too.