PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A handful of front-of-house and food service workers at World Cafe Live say they haven’t been paid, and the venue’s ownership is refusing to bargain.
About four months ago, employees were fired for walking off the job over payroll issues and a toxic work environment. One employee said what began as disrespect has now turned into unfair treatment.
“It’s a lot of working a lot harder than $7 an hour to make sure this place still runs,” said bartender Emilia Reynolds. Reynolds says they do it because they love World Cafe Live, but on Sept. 30, they were one of at least five workers who didn’t receive a paycheck.
Reynolds says their payment was deposited, then immediately revoked, and they haven’t been told why by Chairman Joe Callahan or any other boss. They have also been told they owe money to the company, with no further explanation.
“We confront them through messaging. We’ve confronted them in their office and been met with doors slammed in our faces,” Reynolds said.
In July, food service workers unionized with UNITE HERE Local 274.
“They have yet to agree to sit down to bargain with us. They’re now claiming that there is not 274 in the building,” Reynolds said. “We have been, in the last few weeks, blatantly told that we are not recognized in the building.”
Reynolds wasn’t scheduled this week, and then on Monday afternoon, they were terminated — the company claimed they intentionally took around $800 in unauthorized payments since June 10. Reynolds says the way they’ve been dealt with feels retaliatory.
“We challenge them, is what really is going on. We challenge them, and they’re not able to rise to the task of making this building a success.”
KYW reached out to World Cafe Live and is waiting for a comment.
Featured Image Photo Credit: Vik Raghupathi/KYW Newsradio