Our Story:

Since the inception of our group, Philly Workers for Dignity, two hot sticky Philadelphia summers ago – we have crisscrossed the city asking people about the conditions at there workplaces and informing them of there rights through informational trainings. This process was the sometimes slow, but rewarding way that introduced us to the people who we would we be fighting along side with in our first union drive. They are the workers from the small popular bakery nestled in the heart of Fishtown, Cake Life.

After hearing the buzz from the barista wage transparency spreadsheet and receiving a $1 dollar raise because of it – the workers at Cake Life knew that change was possible. And after meeting us (Philly Workers for Dignity) at Know Your Rights Training this fall, the workers began to quietly organize their shop. In this process they would come to be known as there union name, Café Workers United (Fishtown Local 1).

(Workers from Cafe Workers United (Fishtown Local 1) pictured above)

Shortly before the holidays, the workers made the decision to deliver a letter to management, it read:

"We the workers of Cake Life Bake Shop, announce the formation of Cafe Workers United (Fishtown Local 1). We believe that solidarity through unionization will not only grant us the fair treatment we deserve, but will enhance our abilities to perform our jobs and serve the customers who patronize Cake Life.

Working in the service industry is tiring, stressful and chaotic. We are expected to sacrifice our health, well-being and comfort in exchange for low wages and no benefits.

In recognition of your desire to be a progressive business and workplace, we hope that you will understand our right to demand a more stable and supportive work environment.

We organize not out of spite, but out of hope for a better life, involving a living wage, paid sick and vacation days, reliable schedules and protection from harassment.

We know that these demands will strengthen our workplace, encourage professional development, improve morale and impede high turnover rates.

In forming a union within the service industry, we hope that we can become an example to workers across the city, state and country and demonstrate the power inherent in unions and workplace solidarity.

We ask that you voluntarily recognize Cafe Workers United so that we may meet together at the table and move forward with contract negotiations.

If not, we are prepared to meet the demands of the long and arduous bureaucratic process leading up to a union election, which we anticipate winning."

From the moment of the announcement on their instagram , the workers have received solidarity from hosts of local patrons. The momentum carried them all the way to there NLRB (National Labor Rights Board) vote in late January. The results were tallied, and it was 10 votes for the union, 9 votes against, and 5 votes contested. With this many contested votes, it means we will head to an NLRB hearing this month to be heard by the state.

What we are asking:

We are proud of what we have accomplished, but we need your help to continue to fight. The funds raised from this campaign will help us prepare for all of the obstacles we will face while attempting to have our union recognized. Please donate, and share with the hashtag a #cakelifeworthliving !

With Love & Solidarity,





The Philly Workers For Dignity