Occupying Golden Farm

Friday, December 16th, 2011

As a result of the lawsuit still pending at Golden Farm over the alleged unpaid back wages, NY Communities for Change, the group that organized Occupy Our Homes in Brownsville, organized a protest there today with former employees and community members.

The group of protestors began assembling around East 3rd and Church Ave around 11:30, and told us that the owner of Golden Farm, Sonil Kim, had asked them to leave. The march began around 12:30.

NYCC Protest

They had collected around 300 signatures from neighbors asking the owner to remit the unpaid back wages to his employees and to pay current workers minimum wage. The plan began with having 3 representatives–an NYCC representative, a former employee, and a neighbor–present the signatures collected to Mr. Kim. If he rejected them, they planned to rally inside the store to bring attention to his alleged practices, and then picket outside.

NYCC Protest

The owner’s response:

NYCC Protest

The protestors held signs and marched around the store, chanting “What do we want? Living wages!” and “Golden Farm steals wages.” A worker states that he had been earning $400 for a 72-hour workweek, which comes out to $5.56 per hour, or $1.69 less than minimum wage hourly. The suit, which was filed by 10 employees since terminated, is for approximately $11,000, for unpaid overtime, underpayment of wages, and penalties.

NYCC Protest

One customer asked a cashier, “Do you think this will get you a raise?” She shook her head.

NYCC Protest

The protestors re-assembled outside to picket, and received support from passing cars. They briefly went back into Golden Farm to make one last go-around, and then returned to Church Ave.

NYCC Protest

The group was gathered to listen to closing statements. Mr. Kim told a few protestors by the fringe of the group, “Thank you, you guys gave me advertising.” The protest ended with a chant of: “We live around the corner, we’ll be back.”

NYCC Protest

I would guesstimate that there were about 30 protestors in attendance. It is difficult to guage the community support–the customers in the store seemed to be annoyed with the inconvenience and did their best to ignore the rally, though others joined up with them outside.

NYCC Protest

Sonil Kim could not be reached for further comment. I called the number listed on Yelp, (718) 871-1009, and a woman answered. When I asked to speak to him, I got the noise that comes from accidentally dialing a fax number and no further human response. He is welcome to get in touch with us, as well.

    - Sarah

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    • Bgoya8819

      I am a neighbor in the area.  When I saw the protesting outside today, I got sad…I know the owner and he is a very nice guy.  Golden Farm has helped our Kensington community tremendously by offering us affordable products..I stop by that store many times a month and they always have fresh products at great quality and price and i really wouldn’t be able to afford all my food if it wasn’t for Golden Farm. I really hope that there’s no more damage and that the business and the workers and their families can recover from these tough times…stay strong Golden Farm!

    • Darren

      ” . . . offering us affordable products”

      By ripping off the employees who put in the long hours? And in my experience of Golden Farm it’s questionable that its prices vary that greatly with other stores in the area.

      Fair play to the employees, ex-employees and members of the community for taking action on this matter.

    • Alysonyun

      These hungry lawyers and Union bosses are prodding workers to protest, but not to really protect the workers, but just to fill their pockets.  I know the owner and he has all the proof showing he paid minimum wage or above – that’s why for a year or more they did not have a case.  He treats his workers with respect and fairness. They have to pick on a small business man who worked night and day to make the store what it is now.   People just don’t have anything better to do.  Get the facts first and continue protesting on wall street, not main street… 

    • NYCcivlian

      “…it’s questionable that its prices vary that greatly with other stores in the area.”

      No – they really do. If you’re a parent and buy a lot of milk, you know that Golden Farm is $3.50/gallon for organic. Foodtown is $4.69/gallon.

      (And, of course the workers shouldn’t be ripped off, and I will probably stay away from GF until the matter has been resolved.)

    • Michael

      If this is true, there should be an organized boycott. I, for one, will not shop in this store again until this matter is settled in favor of the workers.

    • Darren

      I’m a parent and I do buy milk. ;-)

    • Babeuf on Beverley
    • http://twitter.com/lornagrl lornagrl

      Are you kidding?  Do you think he helps the community by overworking and underpaying his employees? 

    • Sallen

      I’m currently on an unpaid maternity leave and things like the 2 half gallons of milk for $7 really help, but there’s no way I’m going back to Golden Farm until this is sorted out. Knowing the cheaper prices are because of wage abuse, etc.–that’s not a savings I can sit with!

    • Michael

      Thank you, Sallen. If the whole community gets with this type of commitment, we can rid our neighborhood of these entrepreneurs that prey on the poor and needy using them as slave labor.

    • Sa

      I’m also a long-time customer of Golden Farm but I’m refusing to step foot inside until the employees get the fair wages they deserve.

    • R_M

      LOL :/

    • BoodlesTheCat

      If he has proof then why is this still in court? When it’s settled satisfactorily, then I will shop there again.

    • jtkt

      We are longtime Golden Farm shoppers. Their prices simply are lower than other groceries in the area.  That said, it’s not right to lower prices by screwing workers. We are going to boycott. Does anyone know where we can sign and send a postcard?

      Here’s the NY Communities press release. It really doesn’t sound like a matter of any legal or union types prodding workers…

      http://www.nycommunities.org/node/1135

    • Sarah

      NYCC said they would be back this week to collect signatures and raise awareness of the issue.  If you get in touch with them, they will probably be able to tell you when and where you can sign.

    • Sarah

      Thank you for this!

    • Jole

      You can contact one of the organizers directlyLucas Sanchez – (646) 600-2426
      lsanchez @ nycommunities.org.They are also working with RWDSU, the union that represents Foodtown, and the law firm Advocates for Justice,I read that Golden Farm started paying minimum wage last March, but the lawsuit is also asking for back wages.  Without a union, there is no sick leave, holiday pay or health benefits. 

    • Goodbklyn

      It’s not entirely accurate to state that there are no sick leave, etc, without a union.  Many non-union employers offer those benefits, as well as fair wages and overtime.

    • Lentofu

      those of you who really want to find out whats going on…step inside and speak to the ladies behind the counter…they have no beef with the owner and they said they dont appreciate people protesting on their behalf…especially when they have no beef…not making this up…go ask

    • BoodlesTheCat

      As a former union organizer, I know very well the fears many disempowered people sometimes feel when bosses who hold so much power over them get challenged. This is VERY old story. The women cashiers are lovely folks, and I hope they can benefit from this effort. But note, they are not among the 10 workers who apparently were victimized by management.
      And I wouldn’t be so presumptious as to assume I knew their true feelings going in and asking them about it right under the bosses watchful eyes, even afte having known them as a customer for years.

    • Jole

      Perhaps those places exist but I would bet they are not in the greengrocer/stoop line stand business. 

    • Alanmann03

      How widespread are these practices within Brooklyn?  In the UK we have a similar system of minimum wage.  However, you tend to find that employers look for part-time workers or young workers as they will accept lower wages and in some cases continue to claim welfare benefits.  Its a win win position both for employee and employer.  It is great to see a local community standing up against exploitation.  However, it must be a delicate balancing act as you may impact on other residents within you community that rely on the Golden Farm outlet to manage a tight budget.  Have you held a community meeting on Golden Farm?  I would be interested to see how this case develops, and good luck.

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