Scoop: Dozens of congressional Democrats vow to boycott popular D.C. restaurants

Dozens of House and Senate Democrats have signed a pledge to boycott some of Washington, D.C.'s hottest restaurants over labor disputes, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The list includes Le Diplomate and posh downtown venues that are popular spots for Democratic fundraisers, giving lawmakers a rare opportunity to throw around some serious weight on behalf of a union.Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told Axios: "We can have big policy debates, but we also have to show the American people some concrete examples.""If a bunch of workers are organizing across multiple restaurants here in D.C., it will get attention. Absolutely," Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) told Axios.Driving the news: More than 50 House and Senate Democrats have signed onto Unite Here Local 25's pledge to avoid six of D.C.'s buzziest restaurants.In addition to Le Diplomate, they include Osteria Mozza and The Occidental, all owned by prolific East Coast restaurateur and Democratic donor Stephen Starr. There's also Rasika, Modena and Bombay Club — classics of the power dining scene in Washington, founded by chef Ashok Bajaj of Knightsbridge Restaurant Group.Between the lines: Political groups and candidates have spent thousands of dollars at those spots over the past year, federal campaign records show. Former President Obama and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos made headlines when they dined at Osteria Mozza in January.Then-President Biden was a repeat customer at Le Diplomate during his presidency.State of play: Unite Here Local 25 says the boycott is necessary because "workers have endured months of union busting." Both restaurant groups deny those claims and accuse the union of being heavyhanded. Unite Here is continuing its organizing at all six establishments, though there are currently no unionization elections scheduled."Workers are calling for D.C. customers to boycott these restaurants, asking the public not to eat, meet or drink at these locations," says a copy of the pledge provided to Axios.Zoom in: Among the signers are some of Democrats' top fundraisers and biggest names, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are also on the list.It isn't just progressives or safe-district Democrats either: Landsman and Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) both signed on despite being moderates in competitive seats, as did Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.)What they're saying: "With these restaurants that are frequented so much by members of Congress, our boycott of fundraisers and visiting could have a real impact — could really help these workers," said Casar.He added: "This is our opportunity when we're here in Washington, D.C. to not just go vote in the Capitol but actually go out in the community and make a difference."Landsman said his advice to the restaurants is to "avoid the negative publicity, and sit down with them.""We can say that all members on the list are personally boycotting," Benjy Cannon, a spokesperson for the union, told Axios in a message. "Many of them have been meeting personally with STARR and Knightsbridge workers all year."The other side: "Local 25's call for a boycott is baseless," Starr restaurants said in a statement. "A boycott of any kind can result in lost hours, wages, and tips that hardworking employees rely upon." "It is unfortunate that an organization that claims to want to represent employees would call for an action that would harm them.""We respect our employees wishes," Bajaj said. "How many of these congress members even know themselves that they're signing?"Zoom out: Starr's restaurant group has accused Unite Here Local 25 of overly aggressive tactics.That includes union reps showing up with petitions outside employees' homes, leading one bartender to sign it even though she planned to vote against a union, as Eater reported in February.Francisco López, a Le Diplomate server of five years, told Axios some employees are holding counter protests to the union.Bajaj told Axios there haven't been picket lines outside Rasika or his other restaurants in four months.

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