Wage theft

In Wake of Chateau Marmont Race and Sex Discrimination Allegations, District Attorney George Gascón Affirms Commitment to Protecting Workers

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 18, 2021

District Attorney George Gascn has voiced concern for workers in the wake of allegations brought forth by a former events server alleging that she was subjected to race and sex discrimination while working at the Chateau Marmont.

Key Points: 
  • District Attorney George Gascn has voiced concern for workers in the wake of allegations brought forth by a former events server alleging that she was subjected to race and sex discrimination while working at the Chateau Marmont.
  • District Attorney Gascn stated: I am aware of the civil lawsuit and allegations made regarding the Chateau Marmont Hotel.
  • Workers can often feel powerless when dealing with hostile workplaces, dangerous work conditions, and wage theft.
  • The District Attorney's comments reference a civil lawsuit filed in late January by former employee Thomasina Gross against the Chateau Marmont.

California Worker Safety Concerns Intensify During the Holiday Season Due to Increased Demand for Products and Services

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Each year, workers in warehouses, retail establishments, food processing plants and moreare hired during the holiday season due to increased demands for products and services.

Key Points: 
  • Each year, workers in warehouses, retail establishments, food processing plants and moreare hired during the holiday season due to increased demands for products and services.
  • "We also want employers to understand their responsibilities to comply with state labor laws and ensure a safe and healthful workplace."
  • The campaign is particularly focused on low-wage workers of color who face a higher risk of exposure to the virus.
  • This underscores the importance of highlighting workers' rights and employers' responsibilities in key industries and regions across California.

CARES Act Monies Go to Companies that Have Defrauded Uncle Sam, Stolen Wages, Broken Health & Safety Rules

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Among the violations are workplace safety issues, flouting of environmental standards, wage theft and defrauding the federal government.

Key Points: 
  • Among the violations are workplace safety issues, flouting of environmental standards, wage theft and defrauding the federal government.
  • 38,362 small businesses received $37 billion in loans though they have paid penalties of $3 billion, mostly for wage theft and jeopardizing worker health and safety.
  • 32 aviation-sector companies received $25 billion in grants and loans despite having paid $600 million in penalties related to issues such as worker safety and discrimination.
  • Additionally, our data show the conclusions apply to healthcare providers and other categories of CARES Act recipients.

Chicago Carpenters Union Scores Another Win in Fight for Fair Wages

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 6, 2020

CHICAGO, July 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters today announced another victory in the union's ongoing fight against wage theft in the building trades.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, July 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters today announced another victory in the union's ongoing fight against wage theft in the building trades.
  • The Chicago Regional Council recently started a full-time fraud department to investigate Prevailing Wage Act violations to keep developers honest and fight for fairness for both workers and Illinois taxpayers.
  • We will continue our fight on behalf of the working class and are committed to holding tax cheats accountable."
  • The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters represents over 30,000 working men and women from 19 local unions across Illinois and Eastern Iowa.

AB 5 Misses the Mark as Does Lorena Gonzalez's Tweet

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 10, 2020

White citizens poured into the Greenwood District, looting and burning homes and businesses over 35 city blocks.

Key Points: 
  • White citizens poured into the Greenwood District, looting and burning homes and businesses over 35 city blocks.
  • Hundreds of Black citizens were killed and scores of Black-owned businesses that employed them were destroyed solely because they were successful.
  • I understand that wage theft is an ever-present issue exacerbated by racial bias and one that has hit the African American community extremely hard.
  • I urge the California Legislative Black Caucus to join us in both examining the negative impacts of AB 5 on Black California and in asking your colleague for an apology.

Teamsters Port Division Reacts To Preliminary Injunction Regarding Assembly Bill 5's Application To California Truck Drivers

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 17, 2020

The following is a statement from Julie Gutman Dickinson, local counsel to the Teamsters Port Division:

Key Points: 
  • The following is a statement from Julie Gutman Dickinson, local counsel to the Teamsters Port Division:
    "We are not surprised by the Court's decision to issue a preliminary injunction blocking application of AB5's ABC test to California truck drivers; however, the decision does not impact port and rail drivers' fight for their employee rights and an end to systemic wage theft.
  • The bottom line is that in every port trucker misclassification/wage theft case to date, misclassified California port truck drivers have been found to be employees NOT independent contractors under the California Borello test.
  • The Court's preliminary injunction has no practical effect on the employee status of these driversthey are clearly employees.
  • "In over 500 wage claim cases at the California DLSE, drivers have uniformly been found to be employees NOT independent contractors under the Borello test.

Teamsters Joint Council 7 Supports AB5, Denounces Lawsuit By Uber And Postmates

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 31, 2019

"It's comes as no surprise that companies like Uber and Postmates would challenge a law that brings fairness to workers and puts an end to wage theft.

Key Points: 
  • "It's comes as no surprise that companies like Uber and Postmates would challenge a law that brings fairness to workers and puts an end to wage theft.
  • "Misclassification has always been illegal and AB5 makes it harder for employers to continue the illegal practice of misclassifying their employees as independent contractors.
  • Misclassified workers lose out on pay they've earned, benefits, Social Security and workers' compensation in the event of an injury.
  • Teamsters Joint Council 7 represents 150,000 members and retirees in Northern California, the Central Valley and Northern Nevada.

Teamsters Denounce Uber & Postmates Lawsuit Attacking AB-5

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 31, 2019

COVINA, Calif., Dec. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is the official statement of Ron Herrera, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396 and Teamsters International Vice President on the lawsuit filed today by Uber and Postmates challenging the constitutionality of AB-5.

Key Points: 
  • COVINA, Calif., Dec. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is the official statement of Ron Herrera, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396 and Teamsters International Vice President on the lawsuit filed today by Uber and Postmates challenging the constitutionality of AB-5.
  • "This recent lawsuit filed by major corporate interests seeking to invalidate AB-5 is the most recent demonstration on the war that is currently being waged against working people in our country.
  • "The Teamsters supported the passage of AB-5 in order to protect workers in the State of California from misclassification and wage theft.
  • Greedy corporations are filing this lawsuit to increase their profits regardless of the impact it has on people's livelihoods.

Unifor wins wage theft case against Whistler Domino's franchise

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 8, 2019

WHISTLER, BC, July 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Five former workers at a Domino's franchise have received a total of $10,486 after the B.C.

Key Points: 
  • WHISTLER, BC, July 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Five former workers at a Domino's franchise have received a total of $10,486 after the B.C.
  • Wage theft is often a fact of life for precarious workers," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
  • When the complaint was first filed in 2017 and Unifor became involved, the employer (Georgia Pizza Inc.) voluntarily paid $8,942 to settle the complaints.
  • Unifor and the workers determined the amount was insufficient and continued with the case.

Employer Payouts in Background-Check Class Actions Top $170 Million

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Companies providing those reports have paid out another $152 million when they have been sued directly.

Key Points: 
  • Companies providing those reports have paid out another $152 million when they have been sued directly.
  • The dollar totals derive from 146 successful class actions brought under the employment provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) against companies such as Amazon.com, Target Corporation, Uber Technologies and Wells Fargo.
  • Other large payouts by well-known companies include: Target ($8.5 million), Uber Technologies ($7.5 million), Amazon.com ($5 million), Home Depot ($3 million), and Domino's Pizza ($2.5 million).
  • The FCRA cases are the fourth compilation of employment-related class actions to be added to Violation Tracker, following ones covering wage theft, workplace discrimination and retirement-plan abuses.