Ben Davis Workers Stage S.F. Rally
A group of San Francisco apparel workers is lobbying to get full healthcare benefits reinstated. Ben Davis Inc. apparel workers demonstrated July 20 outside of San Francisco City Hall for the second time in less than three months. City Supervisors Chris Daly, Sophie Maxwell and Matt Gonzales; UNITE HERE officials; the Chinese Progressive Association; and labor and community supporters turned out to demand that Ben Davis remain unionized and continue to pay workers’ benefits.
San Francisco–based Ben Davis, maker of workwear and work fashions, has been a unionized employer since 1935. The company currently employs nearly 100 workers, mostly Chinese and Latino immigrants.
Several employees claim the apparel maker cut health benefits and took away sick days.
“Ben Davis says this is because of the new minimum wage,” said Wai Wong, who has worked at Ben Davis for the past eight years. “I say, why should I have to choose between a decent wage and basic benefits? I deserve both for my hard work.”
As a result of worker complaints, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution calling on Ben Davis to restore health-care benefits and paid time off to the workers. The resolution also urges employers to negotiate a contract with the union UNITE HERE, which represents nearly a half million garment, laundry, apparel, hospitality and gaming workers in the United States.
“Last Fall, recognizing the Bay Area is one of the most expensive areas of the country, the electorate of San Francisco voted overwhelmingly to raise the minimum wage to $8.50,” Supervisor Chris Daly explained. “Today’s resolution seeks to uphold the intent of the law—providing the city’s lowest-wage earners with decent pay without losing benefits.” —Claudia Figueroa
