Restaurant Opportunities Centers (Roc)

“Form 990 is prepared by an independent accounting firm. Management and all board members review the information tax return and all questions discussed with the cpa firm prior to signing and submission.”

“The organization monitors compliance with conflict of interest policy by having annual conversations with the board of directors to ensure compliance, distributing the conflict of interest policy annualy for signature, overseeing vendor ledger report for potential conflict and enforcement of compliance and best practices.”

“The governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available to the public upon request.”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Presented arguments at the Michigan Supreme Court to ensure that workers get the full minimum wage and obtain nine days of paid sick leave that were unjustly taken away from them by the state Legislature during a lame duck session. The MI Time to Care coalition expects that the court will rule in favor of Michigans workers next year. Received programs and campaigns coverage in more than 5,000 U.S. news outlets. ROC staff and restaurant workers were interviewed on various issues, highlighting our work around wage increases, job protections, and workers safety. Conducted professional workforce development training in front- and back-of-house restaurant skills through ROC Uniteds CHOW Culinary Hospitality Opportunities for Workers Institute. This year about 206 restaurant workers graduated from the CHOW training held across the country. Fighting for paid leave and medical insurance for restaurant workers. In mid-May, ROC United staff, worker members and allies-including Paid Leave for All, National Partnership and Family Values Work-stood shoulder to shoulder and”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 joined the U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders D-VT, Chuck Schumer D-NY, Kirsten Gillibrand D-NY and Patty Murray D-WA, and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro D-CT, in Washington, D.C. for the introduction of the Family and Medical Insurance Leave FAMILY Act. This legislation would ensure that every worker, no matter what size of their employer is or if they are self-employed or part-time, has access to paid leave for every serious medical event or every time its needed-and has the right to rest and renew. At least 35 worker members raised their voices in media interviews and a series of op-eds. On National Public Radio, restaurant worker Renee McCauley, grand niece of Rosa Park, and ROC MI staff applauded the Michigan State Senate for passing the CROWN Act. Also, McCauley, a CHOW graduate, wrote an op-ed, What Would Rosa Parks Think of the CROWN Act in The Detroit News. In the Arizona Daily Star, a restaurant worker expresses her support for Julie Su as Labor Secretary. On behalf of the millions of restaurant workers that we serve nationwide,”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Lindsay Ruck, a server in Phoenix, AZ, wrote an op-ed in the Arizona Daily Star in support of Julie Su, who continues her critical efforts to build the power of all workers, including women, immigrants, members of the LGBTQA and BIPOC workers in the food and restaurant industry. Banning non-compete terms in the restaurant industry. Nearly 500 restaurant workers submitted public comments in support of the Federal Trade Commissions proposed rule that would ban non-compete agreements between employers and workers. Non-compete terms rob workers of the freedom and power to move without restrictions to different employers within the industry or line of work. The FTC estimates that noncompetes suppress workers income by 4, denying Americans a collective 250 billion to 296 billion. Non-competes also contribute to gender and racial-based wage gaps. Prohibiting non-compete and certain restrictive covenants in New York State. On May 23, in response to the FTCs proposed national banning of non-compete clauses, a ROC New York representative testified in Albany in support of Senate Bill S3100,”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 which would bolster food preparation and service workers ability to make a good living and advance their careers with more autonomy. SB S3100 narrows racial and gender-based wage gaps and promotes worker mobility and increased income. Disclosing NRAs unscrupulous behavior. In a Washington Post article, ROC United and restaurant workers called out the National Restaurant Associations initiative that uses workers earnings to help fund a nationwide lobbying campaign to keep their own wages from increasing. When we posted it on social media and sent out an email blast, the article was viewed more than 15,000 times, which helped inform restaurant workers and fuel a resurgence of workers speaking out against deception and labor abuse. Celebrating the minimum wage increase in Washington, D.C. On May Day, ROC D.C. members and staff gathered with Jobs With Justice JWJ and allies to celebrate the first the minimum wage increase for tipped workers. By forming a coalition with JWJ, One Fair Wage and other allies, we helped prevent the NRAs efforts to halt those wage increases.”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Effective May 1, 2023, the base minimum wage for tipped employees in D.C. increased from 5.35 per hour to 6.00. And beginning July 1, 2023, the minimum wage in the District of Columbia will increase from 16.10 per hour to 17.00 per hour for all workers, regardless of the size of the employer. Building worker power in the City of Brotherly Love. In Philadelphia, ROC Pennsylvania joined advocates, elected officials and workers rights groups to urge state politicians to raise the statewide minimum wage and, at the same time, allow cities and municipalities to increase and set their own wage floors. ROC is among the leaders in the statewide Raise the Wage coalition, asking for a 15 an hour minimum wage for more than a decade. Restaurant workers in PA are concentrated in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the state has had the federal minimum of 7.25 per hour since 2009. Awarded the Rockwood Leadership Institutes 2024 National Leading From the Inside Out LIO Fellowship.”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 On behalf of ROC United, Teo Reyes, chief of staff, was selected as part of a cohort of nationally recognized leaders to participate in a transformative year-long executive leadership fellowship. The incredible Rockwood leadership training will ensure that our commitment to restaurant workers and to advancing our mission of building power will continue well into the future. Finding an ally in the MI Board of Education. The ROC MI team secured a resolution from the Michigan Board of Education, supporting a higher minimum wage, as the Michigan Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of the state legislatures decision to gut those measures. Michigans current minimum wage is 10.10 an hour. The resolution also supports the enactment of paid sick leave.”