Help Matthew Recover from A Toxic Work Environment

It breaks my heart to write this, but in 2025 and beyond, if I don’t say something, who will? Employers like Tat’s Deli and even my past employer, the City of §€¢××(( need to be held accountable for their treatment of workers. For nearly eight years, my partner Matthew has been my rock, supporting me through my transition out of a 13-year job and my mental health challenges. Meanwhile, he has endured nearly five years of mistreatment at Tat’s Deli. Clearly he could've done a lot but COVID and depression will keep you stuck.

Matthew has worked tirelessly without a real vacation or being able to be sick without worrying about how it impacts BRIAN. BRIAN TATMAN refused to pay $50 for a spot at Chucks Hop Shop because BRIAN TATMAN is cheap. Which means a spot where they routinely get $500-$800 is gone. Visiting family in Texas isn’t the same as taking a much-needed break. Despite my repeated pleas for him to leave, financial constraints made it impossible until recently. Still, I know my financial support cannot go on forever. I still think Matt deserves a break and rest.

At Tat’s Deli, Matthew has faced a toxic work environment. Earlier this year, he caught COVID and was so ill he was coughing up blood. Instead of compassion, the owner, Brian Tatman questioned his truthfulness, citing Matthew’s often tardiness. If his tardiness was such an issue why not fire him? Please know most people want to be on time, and do their job but when this job is basically killing you, and you need it ESPECIALLY when I bascially lost my damn mind a few times this year at you seriously.

While Brian eventually recognized the severity of the situation (as Matt coughed blood, which I witnessed on the phone), the damage was done.

For a few days, on and off their tip component in their POS (point of sale system). Therefore, in this tipped-based economy, Matthew and others got $6 measly dollars collectively. On a great day it's $700 total, and an I'm days its $300. Brian doesn't give a damn and is “working on it”, relying on your employees at the deli and the food truck to troubleshoot it AND blame them for the Doordash, and UberEATS orders being messed up and their poor attitudes under these harsh conditions is HORRIBLE!

This behavior isn’t isolated; it’s systemic. Workers at Tat’s Deli often work while sick, in fear they will get fired, told off or have it be implied they're lying. They often work multiple jobs to make ends meet, and are penalized for being late. (Who cares in the grand scheme of things) even when working 18-hour days with little to no breaks. And let’s not forget: their food truck doesn’t even have a proper bathroom nearby on many occasions. The conditions are inhumane.

I’ve seen firsthand how this has affected Matt as a Black man.

So tomorrow, at 2:00 PM, I will stand outside Tat’s Deli for one hour with my sister and a good friend. This is a non-violent act of love for Matthew, for anyone who has ever worked in food service tirelessly without a break, and for their partners who bear witness to the injustice.

Matthew is the love of my life. He’s the reason I’m alive. My determination may have carried me, but his unwavering care made it possible. He’s been there through my darkest moments. When I was leaving my job, I was overwhelmed by racism and stress to the point of thinking I was having a heart attack on 7 different occasions. I cannot and will not watch him continue to struggle, being talked to like a child. I’ll be damned.

TODAY 12/21. I’m asking you to share this message, my Facebook Live, my posts, and the GoFundMe link. Matthew deserves a break. He’s not going to stop working forever, but he needs time to rest, recover, and explore his incredible gifts in fashion and music. Offer him a job if you have a cute vintage story he loves clothes. Offer him a job if you have a cute music store. He deserves to work a job that truly sees him as I do. Excellent, kind, and attentive to my customers' needs and our animals. He's is bespoke, creative, and funny and it's essential he remains that way.

I’m fundraising $35,000. $5,000 per month for six months, with an additional $5,000 for contingency. This will cover a car, health insurance (something I sacrificed at my old job to provide), and the opportunity for Matthew to reclaim his quality of life. Any leftover funds will go into savings because capitalism has left us unable to save despite earning decent incomes. We are also working towards building a family but the stress of working jobs like this has put many things behind us.

We want to live and enjoy life just like everyone else. We both have gifts that can benefit the world but need space to heal and grow.

This is a call for justice for Matthew and all workers enduring exploitation under capitalism. I know our community will show up because all I have to do is open my mouth.

Thank you in advance.

Evana & Matt

Google doc

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zluoJJsSvBwkHrKMC7vG3VuAvyVMDiyZGi71aSdbhLE/edit?tab=t.0

Go Fund Me Request

1. Who you are - My name is Evana and Matthew is my significant other

2. Where you're from - We live in Washington State

3. Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for - Matthew is my significant other

4. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)