Rosa Mexicano NYC Emergency Employee Relief Fund
Donation protected
***UPDATE 8/5/2020***
As of today, we are beginning the second round of collections and donations for the Rosa Mexicano NYC Employee Relief Fund. Left to our own devices in March, this fundraiser was created quickly to serve the employees of the Rosa Mexicano Restaurants franchise in a time of great need. After this fundraiser's launch in late March, the company decided to create its own fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/rosa-mexicano-employee-fund) which to date has collected nearly $6,500. HOWEVER, employees, to date, and to the knowledge of this organizer, have not received ANY of the collected money from that fund. The creation of the company's fund alleviated our need to collect money as hastily as we were doing so, and we were hopeful the restaurant would do its part to ensure the financial security of its employees.
However, the company has still done NOTHING to alleviate the financial burden many of its dedicated employees now face in an even more uncertain future then was the case in March.
Here are our grievances:
- We did not receive a two-week severance pay like many restaurants in NYC, cutting many loose in a time of great uncertainty
- We were NOT allowed to use our own accrued PTO (paid time off) upon request
- PTO was withheld from part-time AND full-time employees
- Health insurance benefits were eliminated on March 31st at the DAWN of a global health emergency in the city once considered the global epicenter.
In April, all of the collected available $550 was donated, reaching a total of fifteen (15) employees!
- Money was distributed in $50 and $75 installments, awarded based on need
- Money WILL BE distributed in this way again
The GOOD NEWS is many employees received government unemployment benefits from March 15th onward. HOWEVER: those undocumented have not, and still have not, received ANY assistance from unemployment services. They have been the most dehumanized and disproportionately affected by the company's -- and larger, our country's -- decision to prioritize economic growth over human life.
This time, WE NEED YOUR HELP to help more employees.
In short, THESE ARE OUR LARGEST PRIORITIES AT THIS TIME:
Those undocumented
Those undocumented with children
Those without medical care
Those who worked at the First Avenue location, which will be closing permanently on 8/9/2020
Afforded the opportunity, we hope to be able to help ALL employees of NYC Rosa Mexicano Restaurants.
Locations being served at THIS TIME:
Fenix - 1063 First Avenue, New York, NY 10023
(closing on 8/9/2020)
Union Square - 9 E. 18th Street, New York, NY 10003
(scheduled to reopen in September/October)
Lincoln Center - 61 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10022
(available for outdoor dine-in, take-out, and delivery)
Riverside Square - 60 Riverside Square, Hackensack, NJ 07601
(available for outdoor dine-in, take-out, and delivery)
We thank you sincerely for your donation at this time of great need and thank you for helping bring attention to some of the most dedicated service workers in the industry. We know we are NOT alone in this fight when you stand with us. We are grateful for all your support.
May you and your loved ones continue to stay safe and healthy.
As of today, we are beginning the second round of collections and donations for the Rosa Mexicano NYC Employee Relief Fund. Left to our own devices in March, this fundraiser was created quickly to serve the employees of the Rosa Mexicano Restaurants franchise in a time of great need. After this fundraiser's launch in late March, the company decided to create its own fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/rosa-mexicano-employee-fund) which to date has collected nearly $6,500. HOWEVER, employees, to date, and to the knowledge of this organizer, have not received ANY of the collected money from that fund. The creation of the company's fund alleviated our need to collect money as hastily as we were doing so, and we were hopeful the restaurant would do its part to ensure the financial security of its employees.
However, the company has still done NOTHING to alleviate the financial burden many of its dedicated employees now face in an even more uncertain future then was the case in March.
Here are our grievances:
- We did not receive a two-week severance pay like many restaurants in NYC, cutting many loose in a time of great uncertainty
- We were NOT allowed to use our own accrued PTO (paid time off) upon request
- PTO was withheld from part-time AND full-time employees
- Health insurance benefits were eliminated on March 31st at the DAWN of a global health emergency in the city once considered the global epicenter.
In April, all of the collected available $550 was donated, reaching a total of fifteen (15) employees!
- Money was distributed in $50 and $75 installments, awarded based on need
- Money WILL BE distributed in this way again
The GOOD NEWS is many employees received government unemployment benefits from March 15th onward. HOWEVER: those undocumented have not, and still have not, received ANY assistance from unemployment services. They have been the most dehumanized and disproportionately affected by the company's -- and larger, our country's -- decision to prioritize economic growth over human life.
This time, WE NEED YOUR HELP to help more employees.
In short, THESE ARE OUR LARGEST PRIORITIES AT THIS TIME:
Those undocumented
Those undocumented with children
Those without medical care
Those who worked at the First Avenue location, which will be closing permanently on 8/9/2020
Afforded the opportunity, we hope to be able to help ALL employees of NYC Rosa Mexicano Restaurants.
Locations being served at THIS TIME:
Fenix - 1063 First Avenue, New York, NY 10023
(closing on 8/9/2020)
Union Square - 9 E. 18th Street, New York, NY 10003
(scheduled to reopen in September/October)
Lincoln Center - 61 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10022
(available for outdoor dine-in, take-out, and delivery)
Riverside Square - 60 Riverside Square, Hackensack, NJ 07601
(available for outdoor dine-in, take-out, and delivery)
We thank you sincerely for your donation at this time of great need and thank you for helping bring attention to some of the most dedicated service workers in the industry. We know we are NOT alone in this fight when you stand with us. We are grateful for all your support.
May you and your loved ones continue to stay safe and healthy.
Organizer
Nicholas Policano
Organizer
New York, NY
