Barboncino In Crown Heights Could Be NYC's First Unionized Pizza Joint

CROWN HEIGHTS, NY — Barboncino in Crown Heights could be NYC's first unionized pizzeria after a "supermajority" of the staff supported an election, union reps said.

Workers at the Franklin Avenue pizza joint — frequently lauded as one of Brooklyn's best — petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for an election Monday, according to records and Barboncino workers.

"With a supermajority of our staff already having signed authorization cards with [Workers United], we're moving towards collective bargaining with strength and purpose," Barboncino union reps wrote on Twitter. "Barboncino Workers United is going beyond the 'industry standard.'"

If successful, Barboncino would be NYC's first organized pizzeria, according to representatives. The restaurant has 54 workers — at least 30 percent of which had to show support for Monday's move, according to the NLRB.

Workers said they also asked their employer to voluntarily recognize the union, and were expecting an update by Friday.

If the employers don't choose to recognize the union, the NLRB would likely grant the workers an election that would require just over 50 percent of workers to vote in support.

In a statement to Patch, a representative of Barboncino said it is aware of the workers' efforts and the eatery "will continue, as always, to support its customers, community and employees."

Opened in 2011, Barboncino is a popular stable on Crown Heights' busy Franklin Avenue. The restaurant came under new ownership in 2022, including Barboncino's first manager. Owners at the time said "everything is remaining the same," including the menu, staffing, and name.