Kentucky

Workers at two restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky, recently joined UFCW Local 227. More than 20 workers at Feast BBQ and more than 15 workers at Royals Hot Chicken are employed as front and back of house service crew, dishwashers, cooks, and shift leaders. The workers are concerned about insufficient wages and scheduling, and poor treatment by management.

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

In late March, when workers at GE Appliances, a Haier company in Louisville, Kentucky, were mandated to work during the COVID-19 crisis, members of Communications Workers (IUE-CWA) Local 83761 sprung into action to make sure they were protected on the job. While the plant was shut down for one week, the union's president, Dino Driskell, reached out to the governor and other elected officials who agreed to send letters to Haier calling for stronger workplace safety measures.  The local’s internal organizing team, led by Kindre Batliner, organized approximately 1,000 members for a “drive-by” rally on March 28, calling on Haier to keep the plant closed until stronger safety and health protocols were in place.

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