Recently, a brave kitchen worker at Beaches Restaurant stepped forward to fight wage theft. Carmen filed a complaint with the Bureau of Labor and Industries regarding hours that she worked off the clock without pay. In her complaint, Carmen explained that kitchen workers were asked to come in 15-30 minutes early (without compensation) to prepare for the morning rush. Kitchen workers also frequently worked without breaks and sometimes without lunch breaks.
Sign the petition to support Carmen and all low-wage workers!
Carmen and a group of community supporters visited the restaurant to deliver a letter and a copy of the complaint to management. The next day Carmen had a sit-down meeting with the owner, who agreed to pay her the missing wages in order to put an end to her concerns. Weeks later, she has yet to receive her missing wages. Community supporters have rallied behind Carmen to hold the restaurant owner accountable. After he missed the deadline, supporters showed up to pass out flyers at the airport restaurant.
It’s been weeks and Carmen, a mother of two, still has not received the wages the owner agreed to pay.
“I want to be respected for the hard work I do to support my family. The best way to show me basic respect is to pay me for all the hours I work. That is all I am asking for.” – Carmen
Business owners are responsible for honoring their employees’ hard work by fully compensating them for all hours worked, regardless of when “the clock was punched,” and ensuring that tips are distributed lawfully. When employers shirk this responsibility, they are stealing from their employees, breaking trust with the community, and violating the law.
Stand together with Carmen and sign the petition today.
If you are facing wage theft, call the number below:
Wage Theft Hotline: 503-345-7831
Wage & Hour Tracking Sheet:
Download and print this form to track your hours and wages. Tracking this information can help you make sure you’re being paid for all your work.
We are Oregon was originally launched by Oregon’s SEIU Locals 49 and 503, with the intention of broadening the fight on issues that affect working class Oregonians beyond the workplace, and into the communities hit hardest by the current economic crisis.
We’re fighting for a fair economy, where working class people have a voice in our own future, and in how our own communities are run. We see the current economy as inherently unfair, because the priorities of banks, corporations and the rich take precedence in almost every situation over the needs of our families and communities.
For more information, visit We Are Oregon.
