Boycott Box Lunch: Mistreatment of J1 Workers
Seen on Provincetown Community Space Facebook:
BOX LUNCH CLOSED FOR TWO DAYS AFTER 12–15 INTERNATIONAL J-1 WORKERS STOOD TOGETHER, ACCUSING THE OWNERS OF REPEATED MISTREATMENT.
As a business owner in town, I saw the message shared in our local business chat naming these students and portraying them as problematic. After learning more about what actually led to this situation, I couldn't remain silent.
Before other local businesses judge them, refuse to hire them, or automatically take the employer's side, they deserve to have their side of the story heard.
This is about a group of international students who finally stood together after weeks of asking for what most workers would consider basic things: a schedule, their paychecks, transparent tips, and respectful treatment at work.
According to the students, the same problems have been raised repeatedly since the beginning of the season:
• all paychecks delayed for weeks. Some say they have waited 4–5 weeks to receive money they already worked for.
• No reliable schedule. Every night they are contacted around 11 PM if have to be at work the following morning.
• Being asked to pay rent while still waiting for their wages.
• Serious concerns about how tips are calculated and distributed. The students want transparency about the tips they have earned.
• Being screamed at and treated disrespectfully. Some students say the pressure and treatment at work has made them cry.
Eventually, approximately 12–15 students decided together not to report to work and asked for a meeting with the owners to resolve these issues. Their goal was not simply to abandon their jobs. They wanted everyone to sit down, discuss the problems, and find a solution.
Instead, the situation escalated. The students say blame was placed on them and one or two workers were fired — something the remaining students perceived as an attempt to pressure the rest of the group into returning to work.
As a result of so many workers standing together, Box Lunch was closed for two days.
So, to the Provincetown business community: please don't blacklist these students or make a judgment based on one side of the story or a list of names shared privately. Talk to them. Hear what happened from them.
And if your business needs seasonal workers right now, some of these J-1 students may be looking for additional or alternative employment. Give them a chance.