In 2015, ROC Seattle released our “Behind the Kitchen Door” report on Seattle’s restaurant industry. We found that a large portion of local restaurants workers struggle with poverty, lack of access to benefits, wage theft, health and safety risks, and erratic scheduling. We also found significant race disparities - a $2 per hour difference in hourly wages between white workers and workers of color. And a $5 per hour disparity between white men and women of color - higher than the national average!
One of the key reasons for these wage disparities is racial segregation in restaurants - 70% of fine dining server positions (livable wage jobs) are held by white workers, while 60% of black workers are in fast food jobs (largely minimum wage).
ROC builds power by organizing restaurant workers, owners, diners and allies. In honor of Dr. King’s legacy, ROC Seattle will focus on significant public outreach on MLK Day and the week prior to raise awareness of racial segregation in Seattle’s restaurant industry. We would love to have you on our team! Our goals are:
- Identify and survey restaurant workers as part of our Occupational Desegregation Project to better understand their experience;
- Raise awareness of this issue with the public and recruit allies;
- Gather support for ROC’s campaigns locally and nationally
Volunteers can:
- Join an orientation and training. Food, supplies and FUN provided; and/or
- During Seattle’s MLK Day celebration on Jan 16th at Garfield High School, staff an information table, canvass the crowd, or help with our workshop.
Families, seniors and youth are welcome!
