Relief Fund for Kim's Restaurant Workers

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We, the workers of Kim’s, are dedicated restaurant workers who have recently faced the difficult reality of suddenly being laid off. In late May of this year, a supermajority of us petitioned to unionize. Vestalia Hospitality and Ann Kim did not immediately recognize our union. On June 27th, 2024, after a brutal and severe union busting campaign, we won our vote to unionize and were told by Vestalia and Ann Kim that they would bargain with us in good faith.

Instead, they cut our hours and we were met with hostility from management and ignored when we spoke up about our concerns. Unfortunately, on August 22nd, a group of workers heading into a bargaining meeting to begin negotiating a union contract were immediately met with the shocking news that Vestalia intends to close the restaurant on August 30th due to "ongoing financial losses." Why would Kim’s close so soon after we voted in a union? With only an 8 days notice, our careers/jobs have been stripped from us, left in fear of how to survive, take care of our families, and pay our bills/rent. Despite our unwavering commitment to providing excellent service and our deep connection to our community, we have been left without jobs and with mounting financial uncertainty.

As we navigate this displacement with the help of UNITE HERE Local 17, ROC, and other hospitality industry support networks, we humbly ask for your support. Your contributions will help us cover essential expenses, such as:

Rent and Utilities: Ensuring that we can keep up with basic living costs.

Food and Necessities: Providing for ourselves and our families during this transition.

Medical and Insurance Needs: To handle any ongoing medical expenses, or any insurance premiums that are lost due to layoff or not covered by unemployment resources.

We organized our workplace because we believe in workers' agency to create a more just and healthy work environment for all. To say we are saddened by Vestalia's decision to close Kim's and refusal to bargain with us does not begin to cover it. Your support not only helps dozens of workers in our immediate need but also stands in solidarity with the principles of fairness and justice in the hospitality industry. Please consider making a donation to help us through this tough time. Any amount, no matter how small, makes a significant difference. Your generosity will not only provide immediate financial relief but also contribute to a broader movement for fair treatment of workers everywhere.

This fund was created by Isa and Alice, two laid off workers of Kim's. The funds will be dispersed to all of the laid off hourly workers in need via online banking apps/cash as they get back on their feet. The funds donated will be spent on rent, bills, medical insurance, etc. Donations are not tax deductible. Thank you for your support and for standing with us during this challenging time. We made it through the last several months by looking out for each other both at and outside of work, and we will not let this disappointing news diminish that

With gratitude,

The Workers of Kim’s