Former employees of Jollibee, the popular Philippines-based fastfood restaurant, staged a protest at the Journal Square location in Jersey City. These workers were allegedly terminated illegally for advocating for higher wages and a fairer workplace. The protesters attempted to deliver a letter to management, demanding reinstatement, backpay, and a public apology from Jollibee Food Corporation. However, police removed them from the premises.
The demonstration took place on National Fried Chicken Day, one of the busiest days for Jollibee workers, who have reported increasingly unsafe working conditions and mistreatment from management. Last week, the workers filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing Jollibee of unfair labor practices. The complaint focuses on the termination of nine employees on February 20, allegedly in retaliation for their organizing efforts.
Former Jollibee worker Keyser Garganera expressed disappointment at the abuse of power, stating, “We do our jobs right, and we received this – getting laid off because we want a better workplace, holiday pay, and a $3 wage increase to support ourselves and our families.” Another former worker, Mary Taino, expressed disillusionment with Jollibee, saying, “They need to stop with their lies and give dignity to workers’ rights towards equal pay across locations.”
The workers have received support from community groups, including Pilipinos Organizing for Worker Empowerment and Rights (POWER). Attorney Jackelyn Mariano of the Mission to End Modern Slavery (MEMS) highlighted that “concerted activity is protected under federal labor law,” and described the termination of these workers as an attempt to undermine their efforts.
Jollibee officials have not responded to inquiries from our publication regarding the protest and the allegations made by the workers. Under New Jersey law, absent an employment contract, all employment is at-will, meaning that an employer can generally terminate an employee at any time and for any reason.
This protest marks the beginning of the #Justice4JollibeeWorkers campaign, aiming to fight for the rights of Jollibee workers. The campaign has garnered support from various labor organizations and encourages workers at Jollibee locations worldwide to organize for better working conditions. (By Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) n
