The Restaurant Organizing Project is a left-of-center advocacy initiative that trains activists to organize restaurant workers into labor unions and promotes left-of-center policies in the restaurant industry. The group is an initiative of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a radical-left political activist organization, and has received support from the DSA’s Democratic Socialist Labor Commission. The project was most active during the COVID-19 pandemic and has focused on unionization efforts, providing relief to laid-off workers, and advocating increased wages. It aligns with broader socialist causes, including criticism of federal relief packages and support for campaigns against industry automation and “gig economy” independent contracting practices. ^{1 2}

The project has collaborated with other left-of-center groups, such as Restaurant Workers United, a Unite Here-affiliated workers center, to push unionization and has engaged in direct actions and town halls to influence legislation. ^{3 1}

Background

The Restaurant Organizing Project is a left-of-center labor advocacy initiative that trains activists to organize restaurant workers and promotes left-of-center and far-left labor policies in the restaurant industry. The group is an initiative of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a radical-left political activist organization, and has received support from the DSA’s Democratic Socialist Labor Commission. ^{1 2}

The Restaurant Organizing Project was launched in April 2020 by members of the Democratic Socialists of America who worked in the restaurant industry. The initiative emerged in response to widespread layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to help DSA chapters organize affected workers for immediate relief and long-term unionization efforts. The project was developed under DSA’s Democratic Socialist Labor Commission, which connects and oversees labor-related efforts within the organization. ^{4 5}

Early efforts focused on building local campaigns in cities like Austin, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois, where chapters provided training and resources for unionizing small restaurants. The group has described itself as a “national project to teach chapters how to organize laid-off restaurant workers in their area.” ^{4 6}

Activities

In its early stages, Restaurant Organizing Project conducted national trainings and discussions to equip Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members with organizing skills. It supported local efforts to unionize independent restaurants, including in Minneapolis, where workers sought personal protective equipment, overtime pay, and anti-racism training during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project also published a newsletter, “The Dish: A Workers Rag,” to discuss industry-specific issues like the rise of delivery-only “ghost kitchens” and automation’s impact on jobs. ^{7 8 9}

In 2021, the group organized town halls and direct actions to demand amendments to the RESTAURANTS Act, a federal relief bill, arguing it favored restaurant owners over workers without restrictions on fund usage. It has advocated for including gig workers, such as delivery drivers, in labor organizing efforts and has connected participants to resources from groups like the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee. ^{10 11}

Most of the project’s activity occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the group joining the Unite Here union and other groups to demand an extension of temporary expanded federal unemployment benefits through protests. The group also supported prioritized COVID-19 vaccinations along with other workers deemed essential. ¹

Leadership

Natalia Tylim co-founded the Restaurant Organizing Project and served as a key organizer in DSA’s New York City chapter labor branch. Tylim has been involved in socialist activism and has written on restaurant worker issues for left-wing outlets. The project is overseen by the Democratic Socialist Labor Commission of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). ⁵

1. Higgins, Eoin. “The Restaurant Organizing Project Is Betting Workers Can Remake the Industry.” The Flashpoint. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://eoinhiggins.substack.com/p/the-restaurant-organizing-project.
2. Tylim, Natalia. “The Movement to Organize Restaurants.” The Progressive. October 6, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://progressive.org/magazine/movement-organize-restaurants-tylim.
3. “Justice To-Go: Marty Walsh Must Champion Workers in RESTAURANTS Act.” Working Mass. February 8, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://working-mass.com/2021/02/08/justice-to-go-marty-walsh-must-champion-workers-in-restaurants-act/
4. “Restaurant Organizing Project.” Action Network. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://actionnetwork.org/groups/restaurant-organizing-project.
5. “Restaurant Organizing Project Report.” DSA Labor. May 27, 2020. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://labor.dsausa.org/?p=443.
6. Hernandez, Nina. “An Austin Organization Wants to Help Local Restaurant Workers Unionize.” Eater Austin. August 20, 2020. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://austin.eater.com/2020/8/20/21374401/austin-restaurant-workers-unionize-dsa-restaurant-organizing-project.
7. Krishna, Priya. “Organizing a Union in the Disorganized World of Small Restaurants.” The New York Times. July 20, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/19/dining/labor-union-restaurants.html
8. “The Invisible Workforce of Delivery-Only Kitchens.” Boston Democratic Socialists of America. April 28, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://bostondsa.org/2021/04/28/the-invisible-workforce-of-delivery-only-kitchens.
9. “Restaurant Organizing Project Newsletter “The Dish” June edition.” Reddit. 2021. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/Waiters/comments/oa7wkb/restaurant_organizing_project_newsletter_the_dish/
10. “The RESTAURANTS Act Is the Wrong Way to Save the Restaurant Industry.” Jacobin. January 2021. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://jacobin.com/2021/01/restaurants-act-service-industry-workers-covid-relief.
11. “Dying to Serve? A Restaurant Worker’s Plea for Organizing.” Portside. January 3, 2022. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://portside.org/2022-01-03/dying-serve-restaurant-workers-plea-organizing.