As diners prepare to step into the newly revived Babbo in Greenwich Village on opening night, they will be met with a striking sight: a large inflatable rat named Scabby, accompanied by flyers that read: “BOYCOTT BABBO.” The protest is more than a symbolic gesture; it represents an extension of a months-long campaign against STARR-operated restaurants in Washington, D.C., including Le Diplomate, The Occidental, and Osteria Mozza. The boycott, led by UNITE HERE Local 25—a D.C.-based hospitality workers’ union—cites the company’s aggressive anti-union tactics and its failure to address allegations of sexual harassment in its establishments.
The boycott in D.C. has gained significant political attention, with support from 80 U.S. Senators and members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representatives Jared Goldman, Jerry Nadler, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. By extending the boycott to New York, the union hopes to hold STARR accountable for labor practices it considers unacceptable and to signal that workers’ rights should not be compromised for profit.
The Babbo revival comes years after the restaurant closed amid sexual harassment allegations against former chef Mario Batali, when the restaurant was under different management. The decision to retain the Babbo name, despite the controversy, has drawn criticism from both workers and labor advocates. According to the New York Times, new head chef Mr. Ladner expressed reservations about keeping the name, stating, “I didn’t initially think it was a great idea. I thought it was damaged.” However, Stephan Starr, the restaurateur behind the revival, reportedly insisted that Babbo remain Babbo, signaling a business-driven decision over concerns about reputational baggage.
UNITE HERE Local 25 has documented ongoing issues of sexual harassment at STARR’s Pastis restaurant in D.C., where employees reported serious incidents. One cook described a supervising chef grabbing her by the neck and shaking her. When she pleaded, “Let me go, you’re hurting me,” he reportedly laughed. Another employee was scheduled to continue working alongside the alleged harasser for months after formally reporting the incident to Human Resources. These allegations have drawn public support from feminist organizations, including ReproAction and Feminist Majority, which co-signed an open letter urging Starr to take a meaningful stand against sexual harassment in his establishments.
Benjy Cannon, Director of Communications at UNITE HERE Local 25, criticized the choice to retain the Babbo name. He said, “I thought it was tasteless and gross that Stephan Starr chose to keep the Babbo name given the accusations against the chef when it was last open. We’re asking New Yorkers to stay away.”
The union’s campaign against STARR Restaurants in D.C. began in earnest in January, when supermajorities of workers at three STARR locations—St. Anselm, Pastis, and Le Diplomate—voted for voluntary recognition of UNITE HERE Local 25. The workers sought a cooperative path, hoping that Starr would follow the example set by renowned chef José Andrés, who voluntarily recognized the union at The Bazaar just days after the workers launched their campaign.
Instead of embracing voluntary recognition, STARR Restaurants employed what workers describe as classic union-busting tactics. Reports from employees include offers of raises and benefits in exchange for opposing unionization, threats to workers, and the hiring of outside anti-union “persuaders” to campaign against union efforts. These actions, workers argue, undermine the principles of free and fair labor organizing.
On February 21, workers at St. Anselm successfully voted to join Local 25, but STARR Restaurants refused to acknowledge the results. In a move echoing Amazon’s challenges to labor law, the company filed objections claiming that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) lacked the authority to certify union elections due to an incomplete quorum of board members, following a member’s firing by former President Trump. STARR also petitioned the NLRB’s regional office to cancel the union election at Le Diplomate, originally scheduled for March.
Through these maneuvers—the objection to the St. Anselm vote, interference in the Pastis election, and the cancellation at Le Diplomate—STARR Restaurants has signaled, according to the union, a clear disregard for the outcomes of free and fair NLRB elections. Workers emphasize that such actions compromise the democratic rights of employees seeking to collectively negotiate for better wages, benefits, and safer working conditions.
UNITE HERE Local 25 is part of UNITE HERE, a labor union representing 300,000 workers across the United States and Canada. The union’s members work in diverse sectors including hotels, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textiles, distribution, laundry, transportation, and airport operations. Its membership is notable for its diversity, predominantly composed of women and people of color, and representing workers from all corners of the globe. The union has historically advocated for fair wages, safer workplaces, and protection against harassment and exploitation, making it a powerful voice in both the hospitality industry and labor rights movements.
By linking the Babbo boycott to the ongoing campaign in Washington, D.C., UNITE HERE Local 25 aims to create national awareness of labor and harassment issues in high-profile restaurants. Advocates argue that, while restaurateurs may prioritize branding and profit, workers’ dignity and safety should never be compromised.
This extension of the boycott to New York also raises broader questions about corporate accountability in the hospitality industry. While patrons may be drawn to Babbo’s culinary reputation and the draw of its historic name, union leaders urge them to consider the human cost behind the restaurant’s operation. By refusing to acknowledge union victories and allegedly failing to address harassment, STARR Restaurants has, according to the union, positioned itself in opposition to principles of fairness and workplace safety.
For New Yorkers, the message from UNITE HERE Local 25 is direct: choose where you dine with ethics in mind. The boycott serves not only as a protest against specific practices but as a call to action for the public to support workers’ rights and hold influential restaurateurs accountable.
As Babbo opens its doors once again, the story surrounding it is no longer just about fine dining or the return of a beloved culinary institution—it has become a touchstone for labor activism, workplace safety, and ethical responsibility in the restaurant industry. The union hopes that by drawing attention to these issues, diners, policymakers, and the broader public will engage in meaningful dialogue and action to ensure fair treatment for restaurant workers everywhere.
