With her workers set to vote, Ann Kim says she doesn't think a union is needed

Workers at Kim's restaurant in Uptown will take a vote on unionizing in the coming weeks, but owner Ann Kim has issued a statement saying that while she agrees with her staff's right to vote on the measure, she doesn't believe a union is necessary.

Since being informed of her employees' intent to unionize on Friday, May 31, the Instagram pages for Kim and all of her restaurants have been set to private and over the weekend Kim issued a statement through Blois Olson, the media personality and PR professional behind Fluence Media.

"Last Friday we received a request for a vote from the union. We agree that everyone deserves the right to a voice and a vote," the James Beard Award winner said.

"As an immigrant and minority, I believe in fighting for what is right and working together to make a positive impact for everyone who walks through our doors. What I am most proud of over the past 15 years is our ability to build strong communities within our restaurants and in the neighborhoods we serve.

"I wholeheartedly believe we can do this together without a union."

Hospitality union Unite Here 17, which Kim's employees would join should they vote to unionize, criticized Kim's statement, describing it as "textbook union-busting tactics."

"We are disappointed that [parent company] Vestalia Hospitality has chosen to engage in textbook union-busting tactics at Kim's rather than listen to a supermajority of their workers,"  the union told the Star Tribune.

"The challenges of this restaurant — and any restaurant — can be addressed when workers, organized together as a union, have a meaningful and recognized voice in their own workplace."

Kim's reopened to diners on Sunday having been closed on Saturday in the wake of an overnight vandalism incident that saw a cement block thrown through a window and paint spray inside the restaurant.

Kim is also the owner of acclaimed pizza spots Young Joni in northeast Minneapolis, Pizzeria Lola in southwest Minneapolis, and Hello Pizza in Edina.

She launched her Korean-American restaurant Kim's in Uptown last November, replacing her previous Mexican-inspired concept Sooki & Mimi, which closed last year.

When announcing their intent to unionize, a group of workers said they were seeking "respect, stability, and better pay and benefits." Citing alleged cuts, on-call days, and inconsistent hours, Kim's workers claim they aren't able to count on their schedule or get the hours they need to pay rent.

Kim's recently expanded its business, adding to the hours available by offering lunch as well as delivery. Per the Kim's website, the restaurant has a no-tipping policy, with a surcharge added to every bill that is intended to "elevate wages for everyone and achieve equity in compensation for culinary, hospitality and leadership roles."