Nikki Lewis, Lead Organizer, ROC-DC
Photo Credit: Sekou Luke

Launched in September 2009, ROC-DC is a membership-based worker center dedicated to winning improved conditions and raising industry standards for all D.C. restaurant workers.  Anyone who is a current or former restaurant worker or a family member of a restaurant worker can join and take ROC-DC’s free training classes which are focused on increasing access to jobs that pay a living wage.

“There are significant barriers that prevent women and people of color from moving into those positions,” says Bonnie Kwon, a ROC-DC coordinator.  “Occupational segregation and discrimination are the main barriers.  They’ve been internalized in the industry.  People see women as not being as capable of working with the schedule or the stresses of the jobs, and there’s a deep restaurant culture of the kitchen being run by a male chef, particularly in fine dining.”

ROC-DC is also working on a code of conduct for local restaurants that will include a commitment to workers’ rights and workplace justice, recruiting from within, and supporting efforts to increase the tip minimum wage.  Currently, the minimum wage for D.C. servers who also earn tips is $2.77 per hour.  Bonnie says there is a piece of legislation in the House that proposes to raise it to 70 percent of the regular minimum wage.

ROC-DC is also working on recruiting more women leaders to play roles in their Women’s Initiative, which will focus on membership recruitment and a career ladders class for women.

“We want to ensure that our membership reflects the industry.  Women make up a slight majority of restaurant workers in D.C.,” says Bonnie.

If you’re interested in participating in ROC-DC’s Women’s Initiative, you can contact Bonnie at bonnie(at)rocunited.org.