It does not take long to figure out that workers and their employers do not have the same interests at work. Workers want shorter hours, higher pay, and better benefits. We want our work to be less boring, less dangerous, and less destructive to the environment. We want more control over how we produce goods and provide services. We want meaningful work that contributes to our communities and world. Our employers, in contrast, want us to work longer, harder, faster, and cheaper. They want fewer safety and environmental regulations and they demand absolute control over all decisions, work schedules, speech, and actions in the workplace.

The easiest way to stand up for each other in our workplaces and neighborhoods and the easiest way to improve our working conditions is to join! Membership is open to all workers in restaurants and affiliated industries, such as cooks, prep-cooks, dishwashers, servers, hostesses, bus boys, bar tenders, bar backs, and any other job you can have in the food service industry. Members of management with the power to hire or fire workers cannot join, and neither can cops or informants.

The strength and effectiveness of our organization ultimately rests on the dedication and commitment of our members. We encourage all restaurant workers in Gainesville to become members by attending meetings, participating in our activites and actions, and paying dues. With low membership dues and no paid officers, membership in the Gainesville ROC entitles you to a vote in all the organization’s affairs, support when you need it most (whether you’re illegally disciplined, fired for unjust cause, or just dealing with disrespect at work), legal support and fringe benefits around town.

The dues rate for the GROC is as follows:

* Minimum Dues = $9.00 (US) per month - if you make less than $2,000.00 (US) per month;
* Regular Dues = $18.00 (US) per month - if you make between $2,000.00-$3,500.00 (US) per month;
* Maximum Dues = $27.00 (US) per month - if you make more than $3,500.00 (US) per month.