Centro de Trabajadores Unidos along with Rodrigo, a worker formerly employed by The Purple Pig Restaurant, held a press conference with lawyers from the Raise the Floor Alliance, Alderwoman Sue Sadlowski Garza, faith leaders, workers and community members to announce the filing of a EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) sexual harassment charge against the popular downtown restaurant on the Magnificent Mile. As a busboy, Rodrigo, along with many of his coworkers endured ongoing sexual harassment from other coworkers for months. Each time he attempted to report the sexual harassment to management, his complaints were dismissed and even met with laughter. Advocates at the press conference called on restaurant owner Jimmy Bannos Jr. to do the right thing and make sure the abuse ceases to continue at any of his restaurants. Several male workers formerly employed by The Purple Pig Restaurant have claimed they endured sexual harassment while working at The Purple Pig Restaurant. These ex-workers are publicly calling for accountability from this restaurant and demanding that the owner and head chef, Jimmy Bannos Jr., take a stand against workplace sexual harassment during this #MeToo moment. While living in New York City, Jimmy Bannos Jr. worked under and was mentored by famous chef, Mario Batali.

“During my employment at Purple Pig, I suffered sexual harassment at the hands of 3 co-workers. When I informed management of harassment, my complaints fell on deaf ears and the harassment continued. The harassment affected me so much that I had to quit my job. The sexual harassment that I suffered was part of a toxic culture of abuse and intimidation. Here, workers cannot take breaks, they cannot eat their lunch, nor can they use the bathroom without fearing being fired,” said Rodrigo, former Purple Pig worker. When wrapping up the press conference, Cinthya Rodriguez, Labor Organizer at Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, took a moment to remember all those who have been affected by sexual harassment and gender based violence at their workplace. “In this moment we want to honor, remember and hold space for all of those individuals who are facing abuse and harassment in the workplace but for many reasons have not been able to come forward about what is happening– have not been able to report it. The three out of four survivors of gender violence that do not come forward about what has happened to them for fear of being retaliation, for fear of being blacklisted in other industries or companies or for fear of being fired.”