Harper Freeman at The Chief reports that a franchisee operating Taco Bell and Dunkin’ in New York City has agreed to pay $1.5 million to over 760 workers. This settlement comes from claims of violating the City’s Fair Workweek Law. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine announced this during a livestream event in City Hall.
Salz Management LLC, the franchisee behind these violations, managed locations in Manhattan and Queens. They failed to provide workers with schedules two weeks in advance and often made last-minute schedule changes without consent. Levine highlighted the struggle workers faced, saying they often had to open and close the store with little notice and no extra pay. “That’s why we’re getting money back in their pockets,” he stated.
Additionally, over 60 workers from two Manhattan locations of the fashion retailer Theory LLC will share $277,000 under a second settlement. This settlement also involves a civil penalty of $176,000 paid to the city for the violations.
Experts suggest that these actions may set a precedent for other employers. As unionization efforts grow, many workers are advocating for fair scheduling practices and better working conditions. Data from recent surveys show that nearly 80% of workers support legislation that protects their rights to stable schedules and fair wages.
Individual payments from these settlements could exceed $10,000 for some workers. This financial relief is a step towards improving working conditions in the fast food and retail sectors.
For more in-depth coverage on this topic, visit The Chief.
Source link
labor news, western new york, wny
