Jin Asian Cuisine is one of the largest Chinese restaurants in Massachusetts.  With nearly 1,000 seats, it does millions of dollars in business every year. But Chinese wait-staff report:

Missing tips and pay: the restaurant used the tips of the wait staff to pay weekend temporary workers.  Wait-staff also describe time-sheet irregularities, not being paid if they forgot to punch out, and having meal breaks improperly deducted.

Discrimination: non-Chinese temporary workers were paid $30 an hour, but Chinese temp workers were paid half as much to do the same work.

Long days with few breaks! Wait staff report 12 to 16 hour work days, 6 days a week.  Workers claim that they often had no meal breaks, but the restaurant deducted breaks and meal fees!  When allowed to eat meals, workers were given  the buffet leftovers after the customers left.

Unsafe conditions: Workers report suffering back and muscle injuries from overwork.  One fractured three ribs by slipping on the constantly wet floors.  When workers were injured, the restaurant did not cooperate so they could receive Workers Compensation!

Intimidation & retaliation for asking about their tips.  Adding insult to injury, workers were unjustly fired for standing up for their rights – and then falsely accused of stealing tips by the management!  This accusation hurts their reputations and ability to find future work.

WORKERS HAVE ORGANIZED TO DEMAND:

1) An apology from management for false accusations of stealing tips

2) Full payment of all wages and tips.

3)  Safe working conditions and cooperation with Workers Compensation regulations

4) Stop intimidation and retaliation!

In 2006, Chinese & Latino workers initiated a class action lawsuit and attempted to meet with the owner, Ming Lam, who then broke his promises to them.  Latino workers settled their portion of the suit this year, but the wait-staff continues to struggle on.   Another negotiation has been scheduled for early December -- we need your support!