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THE ASIAN LAW CAUCUS STANDS WITH CITY-WIDE COALITION TO URGE SF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO UNAMIMOUSLY PASS THE WAGE THEFT PREVENTION ORDINANCE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2011
The Asian Law Caucus (ALC) stands with the Progressive Workers Alliance and other San Francisco community groups and working families to urge the Board of Supervisors to unanimously pass the Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance. The Board of Supervisors is voting on the legislation today at 2 p.m.
"The problem of wage theft is rampant and widespread," said Winnie Kao, ALC staff attorney. "Through our workers' rights clinic, we regularly see low-wage, immigrant workers who are paid below the minimum wage, forced to work off the clock, and denied overtime and sick pay. Despite blatant violations, many workers refuse to file claims for fear of retaliation."
The ordinance, which is co-authored by Supervisor David Campos and Eric Mar, and co-sponsored by Supervisors Avalos, Chiu, Kim, Mirkarimi, and Wiener, strengthens the San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE)'s ability to enforce the City's model labor laws. The ordinance allows OLSE to cite employers immediately for wage theft violations, doubles penalties against employers for retaliating against workers, penalizes employers who fail to post a workplace minimum-wage notice, requires employers to notify employees when they are under investigation, and sets a one-year case resolution timeline.
"The ordinance gives important teeth to the OLSE wage claim process," said Kao. "Passage of the ordinance is a critical first step in fighting for working families who are struggling to make ends meet. It also protects competing law-abiding businesses, consumers, taxpayers and the local economy."
The ordinance is expected to pass with overwhelming support and has received endorsements from community members, businesses, Mayor Ed Lee (former ALC managing attorney) and other elected officials.
The Progressive Workers Alliance will be holding a press event at noon today on the steps of City Hall in support of the ordinance. Interviews will be available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Tagalog. Visuals include elected officials signing the Pledge to End Wage Theft; Over 150 community members rallying and chanting, holding banners and signs; plus cultural performances.
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About The Asian Law Caucus:
The Asian Law Caucus was founded in 1972 as the nation's first legal and civil rights Asian American organization. Recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, ALC is committed to the pursuit of equality and justice for all sectors of our society, with a specific focus directed toward addressing the needs of low-income, immigrant and underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Asian Law Caucus is a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice. Visit: http://asianlawcaucus.org
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