Saru Jayaraman

Saru Jayaraman is an influential American attorney, author, and activist, recognized for her advocacy for fair wages for restaurant and service workers in the United States. She is the co-founder and President of One Fair Wage, a campaign aimed at eliminating subminimum wages and improving working conditions for low-wage workers. In addition to her role at One Fair Wage, she serves as the Director of the Food Labor Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley.

Early Life and Education

Born on April 3, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, Jayaraman is the daughter of Indian immigrants. She graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a dual degree in Political Science and International Development Studies. She furthered her education at Yale Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she earned her law degree and a Master's in Public Policy, respectively.124

Career and Advocacy

Jayaraman's activism began after the September 11 attacks when she co-founded the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) to support displaced workers from the World Trade Center. This organization evolved into a national movement advocating for the rights of restaurant workers. In 2013, she established One Fair Wage, which focuses on raising wages and eliminating the subminimum wage for tipped workers, a system that has been criticized for perpetuating economic inequality and exploitation.123

Under her leadership, One Fair Wage has made significant strides, including the passage of legislation to raise the minimum wage in various states and the establishment of emergency funds to support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jayaraman's work has garnered numerous accolades, including recognition as a Champion of Change by the White House and a James Beard Foundation Leadership Award.234

Publications and Media Presence

Jayaraman is also a published author, with works that include "One Fair Wage: Ending Subminimum Pay in America" and "Behind the Kitchen Door". Her writings highlight the struggles of low-wage workers and advocate for systemic changes in the labor market. She has appeared in various media outlets, including CNN and PBS, discussing labor rights and economic justice.15

Through her advocacy, Saru Jayaraman continues to be a prominent voice for workers' rights, aiming to create a fairer and more equitable labor system in the United States.