Tenant Worker Center
Organizing working-class Chinese immigrants in San Francisco to fight for dignity and justice in their lives.
Questions about your workers’ rights?
We provide free in-language consultations about your workers ‘ rights. Please leave a voicemail, and our team will reach out in 1-2 business days.
History
In the early 2000s, the Tenant Worker Center (TWC) formed out of large-scale manufacturing worker organizing campaigns, particularly in Chinatown’s restaurant sector, where immigrant workers faced wage theft, long hours, unsafe working conditions, and lack of benefits.
Workers Rights
To date, TWC has helped low-wage workers recover over $8 million in owed wages in high-profile campaigns by advocating for the stronger workplace protections, fair wages and worker’s rights for low-wage immigrant workers.
Notable Campaigns
Z & Y Restaurant Settlement (2021) — 22 employees at Z & Y, a Chinatown restaurant on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, won a settlement of $1.61 million for stolen wages, tips, penalties and interest.
Yank Sing Restaurant Settlement (2014) — 280 Yank Sing restaurant workers in San Francisco to achieved a historic $4 million settlement for wage theft and labor violations.
Tenants Rights
TWC supports families residing in SRO units to improve their living conditions and advocate for tenant rights and protection.
TWC conducts tenant rights outreach, coordinates building safety workshops, and provides tenant consultation to address code violation and other building issues.TWC also organizes family events and leadership training to empower and equip tenants with the tools to advocate for their rights and better living conditions, build a support network and access critical resources.
Current Work
TWC’s core member leaders consist of community members and grassroots leaders that have long been involved in campaigns throughout the East Bay. These leaders recruit, inform, and organize members to participate in economic justice campaigns together. TWC leaders also represent our working class interests in the media, as well as endorse fair local ballot measures.
