Vote Bartertown Best Sandwich in Grand Rapids!

VOTE BARTERTOWN HERE!!

Bartertown Diner is in the competition for the best sandwich in Grand Rapids. The Grandwich.
Bartertown Diner is the revolutionary restaurant collectively run by IWW union members that is turning Grand Rapids upside down. When many thought they would fail, and some prayed that they did, these tough-as-nails survivors persevered and continue to succeed.
Hardened from years of busting their asses in restaurants for little pay and even less respect they decided to show how it can and should be done! Instead of just joining the "local first" bandwagon they made a commitment from the first day that Bartertown would be different in every way. Despite not having a boss they elected to join with their fellow workers in the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. With this defining act of solidarity they affirmed their desire to raise the standards across the whole industry! The establishment is run collectively by all the workers and pay is equitable. Its time to spread Bartertown's achievements to all restaurant workers!
Bartertown Diner is the only true farm-to-table restaurant in Grand Rapids. They have a working relationship with Hamm Family Farms and menu options sometimes have to change due to the availability of produce. This practice alone is unheard of in any other restaurant where the most important thing is making a profit. The most 'successful' downtown restaurants are the ones that get the cheapest wholesale food to serve and pay their workers the least amount that they will take.
While other downtown restaurants get big publicity for finally getting a recycling program Bartertown Diner goes weeks with zero trash!
Grand Rapids restaurant owners are terrified of the Diner's success. What if my workers realize I need them they don't need me? What if they demand more than $8 an hour? What if they all join together?
The Diner recently celebrated its one year anniversary and shows no signs of slowing down. The best in gourmet, raw, vegan/vegetarian food continues to be made and served by the dedicated wobblies of Bartertown Diner.

VOTE BARTERTOWN-PATRONIZE BARTERTOWN-SPREAD BARTERTOWN

**If you work in a restaurant and think you deserve more respect talk to workers at Bartertown and get in touch with the Grand Rapids IWW - 616-881-5263

Bartertown Diner to host benefit dinner for MayDay 2012 Celebration!

Grand Rapids, MI - Local worker-run, union affiliated gourmet restaurant will be opening its doors for a special event Tuesday, March 13 at 7 and 9 pm. Bartertown chefs will be creating a special 3 course meal while IWW members serve costumers. The event is a benefit to raise funds for the 3rd annual MayDay Celebration in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Dinners are $25 per person and can be acquired from the IWW or at Bartertown Diner, 6 Jefferson St.

For the last 2 years the closest Saturday to May 1st MLK Park has been reserved for a community celebration. Hundreds of people from the community have come to the park for food, entertainment, and resources to organize for a better Grand Rapids and society. This year the celebration will take place April 28th at Martin Luther King Jr. Park from 12 noon to 8 pm. There will be a diverse group of acts from solo to rap to rock. There will continue to be a community potluck from 12-2 and food provided by Food Not Bombs and Bartertown Diner. This year will also see another Really, Really Free Market at the park where people can give and take items at no cost. Money from the benefit dinner will go to securing the park, insurance, and a sound system for the celebration.

International Workers Day May 1 (May Day) is a holiday celebrated around the world in remembrance of the Haymarket Martyrs and the fight for the 8 hour day. MayDay actions continue today in the belief being that the great working class upsurge that brought sweeping changes to labor in the last century is whats needed now in this century.

“At $25 per person people have the opportunity to enjoy a great meal by amazing, IWW chefs while at the same time contributing to building a tradition of community celebrations at MLK Park for May Day,” said Alisa Stone Secretary-Treasurer of the Grand Rapids Branch.

Tickets can be purchased at:
Bartertown Diner - 6 Jefferson St. (616) 233-3219
Grand Rapids IWW - (616)881-5263

Gaining prominence in recent years for organizing Starbucks workers, the Industrial Workers of the World is a global union founded over a century ago for all working people.

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http://grsbuxunion.blogspot.com/
http://www.bartertowngr.com/

Bartertown Grand Opening Tomorrow !!

Who: Bartertown Diner and Roc's Cakes & the Industrial Workers of the World - Grand Rapids

What: Grand Opening of Bartertown

When: Friday August 19, 2011 1130am-10pm

All the members of this new vegan/vegetarian/raw restaurant located at 6 Jefferson St. are members of the Industrial Workers of the World. The IWW is an historic labor union advocating worker's self organization and mutual aid.

The members of Bartertown have kept the wobbly spirit alive by working without a boss and everyone receiving equal pay.

Be a part of something positive in Grand Rapids, and eat amazing food at the same time!

Bartertown Diner is the first unionized restaurant in Grand Rapids in over 30 years.

Its a new day for workers at Bartertown, in Grand Rapids, and around the world.

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Bartertown Diner - 616 233 3219

http://www.bartertowngr.com/

Grand Rapids IWW - 616 881 5263

http://grsbuxunion.blogspot.com/

Local Worker-Owned Restaurant Joins Historic Labor Union

For Immediate Release:

Industrial Workers of the World - Grand Rapids

May 9, 2010

Local Worker-Owned Restaurant Joins Historic Labor Union

Act signifies workers’ real desire for change, not just rhetoric

Grand Rapids, MI - Bartertown Diner and Roc’s Cakes a raw, vegan/vegetarian restaurant opening in a couple weeks in downtown Grand Rapids has decided to go “wobbly.” The seven member team which constitutes the worker-run establishment have all decided to join the old and storied Industrial Workers of the World labor union.

“It just seemed like the perfect fit for us. After meeting with members of the IWW it was clear that we all want the same things and being that we really don’t want to be just another restaurant it seemed logical,” said Ryan Cappelletti cook at the new Diner.

Bartertown Diner and Roc’s Cakes, which will be located at 6 Jefferson St., joins a growing list of worker-owned IWW shops. The Red and Black Cafe in Portland, Oregon and Just Coffee in Madison, Wisconsin being two others.

“We are very happy that Bartertown and Roc’s Cakes has decided to go IWW and believe it can only help in our larger campaign to raise the standard of living and benefits for all food and beverage workers in Grand Rapids,” said Shannon Williams, Treasurer of the local IWW branch.

The Grand Rapids Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World has been involved in food service organizing for many years. From the IWW Starbucks Workers Union to the IWW Jimmy Johns Workers Union.

The Industrial Workers of the World is a rank-and-file labor union open to all workers.

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http://grsbuxunion.blogspot.com/
http://www.bartertowngr.com/



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