by DC Jobs with Justice | Nov 19, 2010 | Interfaith Worker Justice, Projects
“Wage theft is a crime” was the theme of a rally and press event on Thursday, Nov. 18th that brought together workers, faith leaders, and community supporters. Held in front of the DC Metropolitan Police Dept. Headquarters, the rally gave workers a chance to speak out about the silent crime of wage theft and to call on the police and DC government to do more to protect workers. rnrnThe Union de Trabajadores, with DC Jobs with Justice, Interfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington, the DC Employment Justice Center, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and other allies have been working for several years to improve the options open to workers to recover wages. While the DC Wage and Hour office has implemented many of the recommendations from workers, the office still lacks the staff and resources necessary and doesn’t have the authority to levy fines or penalties against employers who refuse to pay. rnrnThe need for police to be involved in fighting wage theft was a major theme of Thursday’s event. Ramon Hernandez and Antonio Lazo, both members of the Union de Trabajadores spoke about experiences calling police to report stolen wages. In some cases, police intervention has resulted in workers being paid what they are owed- without having to wait through a lengthy administrative process at the DC Office of Wage and Hour. However, some workers who have called police have been told that its not a police issue. The Union de Trabajadores has requested and been promised a meeting with MPD to discuss possibilities for collaboration.rnrnThe Nov. 18th event was organized as part of Interfaith Worker...
