Kim's closes earlier than planned, workers launch relief fund

Ann Kim 's Uptown restaurant, Kim's, has closed. Its last service was Aug. 26, Vestalia Hospitality confirmed to Bring Me The News.

The sudden shuttering of the restaurant, which happened four days before the originally announced closing date of Aug. 30, has been a blow to the recently unionized staff , who were informed of the closure just days before their jobs would cease to exist.

In its Aug. 22 announcement, Vestalia cited "ongoing financial losses" as the reason for the closure but declined to comment further when contacted by Bring Me The News.

In an Aug. 28 statement, Unite Here 17, the union representing Kim's employees, claims staff were not given advance notice of the closure, which was announced on the day the first bargaining session toward a new contract was scheduled to take place. Some employees were notified of the closure through the restaurant's scheduling app.

"The closure was enacted without any attempt by the company to bargain with workers about how to improve the restaurant," the union says. "The company has thus far rejected key demands of the workers related to addressing the closure’s affect on them."

Workers made a proposal to Vestalia regarding payouts and hiring priority at other Vestalia restaurants, requesting a response by Aug. 27. Unite Here says that workers did not get a response to their proposals, and instead were informed on Tuesday that the previous night's service would be their last.

"In a counter-proposal sent [Aug. 28], the company rejected the hiring demands and offered compensation that does not even guarantee a full payout of PTO balances," the union's statement says.

"We’re committed, talented workers," Alice Kolder, Kim's back-of-house manager, says. "If the closure isn’t about busting the union or punishing union supporters, there’s no excuse not to hire us at Young Joni, Pizzeria Lola, or Hello Pizza or put us on preferential hiring lists until spots open up."

In addition to priority hiring, workers have asked for a payout of PTO and sick leave balances, a healthcare extension through October, and two weeks' pay.

In the meantime, the staff have launched a relief fund that will help them with rent, utilities, food, and medical needs.

Related: Workers at 4 Café Ceres locations vote to unionize