Dear University of Pennsylvania,

On July 22, 2025, a University of Pennsylvania wholly-owned subsidiary filed in court to eject Real Entertainment-Philadelphia, LLC, which operates World Cafe Live, from 3025 Walnut Street.

At the time of filing, the venue allegedly owed the University nearly $1.3 million in past due rent and other costs.

According to publicly available documents, as early as July 3, 2025, Penn gave World Cafe Live formal notice of its intent to evict if WCL did not pay its past due rent and costs. This is only two days after the venue voluntarily recognized IATSE Local 8 and seven days before the “Town Hall” at which WCL management publicly announced voluntary recognition of UNITE HERE Local 274.

Workers have told us that neither World Cafe Live management nor the University told them about ejectment proceedings. These workers bear no responsibility for the venue’s past or current financial woes.

World Cafe Live staff have stuck by the venue through difficult, trying times. Their commitment to a positive future at their workplace has persisted amid rapid turnover in management personnel (including multiple CEOs, presidents, general managers, and HR representatives). They have withstood unfair firings, missing and inaccurate paychecks, attempted unionbusting, and safety issues, amounting to general mismanagement and chronic disrespect.

They deserve security and dignity.

We, the undersigned, ask that the University of Pennsylvania commit to protecting the current employees of World Cafe Live during the transition to a new operator.

Throughout this transition, Penn must ensure that current World Cafe Live staff, including those improperly terminated by current management, are retained in comparable positions and at pay rates commensurate with their previous wages or salaries.

World Cafe Live is a beloved cultural institution to Philadelphia’s music and arts community, to the Penn community, and to West Philly. A just and vibrant future for the venue must begin with respecting the workers at its heart.

Signed,