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A Korean-American chef who won the prestigious James Beard Award, often called the “Academy Awards of the culinary world,” is facing conflict over her restaurant staff’s efforts to form a union.
On June 27, the Star Tribune reported that the tension has been escalating between the owner and employees at restaurant called Kim’s in Minneapolis, Minnesota, operated by Korean chef Ann Kim and her husband. Ann Kim is currently involved in running Vestalia Hospitality, which operates Kim’s, Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza and Young Joni.
On the 26th, the Star Tribune reported that tension has been escalating between the owner and employees at Kim’s Restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota, operated by Korean chef Ann Kim (pictured) and her husband. Ann Kim is currently involved in running Vestalia Hospitality, a restaurant group in the area that includes Kim’s, Young Joni, Pizzeria Lola, and Hello Pizza.
According to the report, the employees at Kim’s Restaurant, who gained recognition through the James Beard Award, notified Ann Kim and her husband of their intention to form a union on May 28, citing difficulties in making a living. However, Ann Kim did not acknowledge the formation of the union. Consequently, workers held an election per National Labor Relations Act requirements on June 27 and voted to unionize.
The Star Tribune cited internal employees who claimed that Ann Kim attempted to interfere with the union formation. Internal documents sent by Ann Kim to her employees reportedly emphasized that their demands could be met without a union. She also encouraged employees to vote against the union.
The employees seeking to form a union, along with United Here Local 17, the union they intend to join, criticized Ann Kim and her husband’s actions as malicious.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
