Level of Priority: HIGH/URGENT
Media Advisory
For immediate release: March 18, 2020
Teleconference Event Date: Friday, March 20, 2019
Contact:
Anthony Advincula, 646-842-7062, anthony@rocunited.org
Teo Reyes, 215-360-3217, teo@rocunited.org
Restaurant Workers to Hold Media TeleBriefing and Speak about the Impact of Restaurant Closures During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Advocates to Provide Update on Emergency Policies — from Paid Sick Days to Unemployment Benefits — for Affected Workers
As tens of thousands of restaurants and bars had shut down across the country, in efforts to contain and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, restaurant workers — waiters, bartenders, cooks, chefs, baristas, busboys and dishwashers — are facing with immense uncertainties about their livelihood, their future and the well-being of their children and families.
The breadth of devastation of this public health crisis is beyond what we all could have anticipated, and its immediate impact is on low-wage workers, including those in the restaurant sector. In New York City alone, an estimated 500,000 workers will lose their jobs by the end of the month. If the country ends up in recession this year, with small restaurant businesses shutting down their operations, these workers will also be the hardest hit in the long run.
On Friday, March 20, 2020, join us in a telephonic press conference with a group of restaurant workers from various states who will share their own stories since the sudden business closures this week. An advocate will also provide reporters a thorough update on where we are with the coronavirus stimulus package legislation, particularly paid sick days, paid medical and family leave, unemployment benefits, food assistance and child care access. And ROC United will discuss the emergency fund drive that we set up for restaurant workers to help them avoid eviction, pay their utility bills and bring food to their table.
WHAT: Telebriefing with restaurant workers and advocates
WHEN: Friday, March 20, 2019, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
WHERE:
Dial-in Numbers:
1-877-271-1828 (Local)
1-334-323-9871 (International)
Participant Code:
89539571
WHO:
Jim Conway, restaurant worker, Olive Garden (Pittsburgh)
Portia Green, restaurant worker, Independent catering business (New York)
James Hawk, restaurant worker, Applebee’s (Detroit)
Teo Reyes, Deputy Director of Programs and Research, ROC United
Pronita Gupta, Director, Job Quality, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
RSVP here (https://rocunited.org/stop-the-spread/media-rsvp) or email Anthony Advincula at anthony@rocunited.org