by dcjwjeditor | Mar 7, 2013 | Actions & Events, Immigrant Rights, Projects, Trabajadores Unidos de DC / United Workers of DC, Wage Theft
Chants of “la lucha – sí, la lucha – sí” (the struggle -yes, the struggle – yes) echoed off the DC Council chamber walls as more than 50 workers and community activists packed the Wilson Building on Monday, March 4th to demand more protections for workers against wage theft. DC Jobs with Justice, United Workers of DC, and the DC Wage Theft Coalition accompanied workers as they presented Councilmember Marion Barry with a giant paper bill for outstanding unpaid wages. The bill totaled more than $260,000, yet only represented the wage theft claims of about 40 workers, a small number of the many more victimized by wage theft in Washington, DC. Pledging to seek justice for the workers, Councilmember Barry quoted Frederick Douglass: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will.” With that, the group filed into the performance oversight hearing for the Department of Employee Services. Witness after witness testified about the inability of the Office of Wage-Hour to protect workers who struggle to recover their rightfully owed wages. United Workers of DC President Carlos Castillo explained, “Without significant changes, going to the Office of Wage-Hour to file claims often becomes a waste of time, of money, and of opportunity to find a good option for daily work for a day laborer.” Moved by this and the many other testimonies from workers and advocates, Councilmember Barry vowed to investigate the workers’ claims, to explore new resources, systems, and funding for the Office of Wage-Hour, and to consider proposing legislation to protect workers against wage theft. Coming off a tremendous victory at popular Georgetown restaurants,...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jun 14, 2012 | Campaigns, Press, Projects, Trabajadores Unidos de DC / United Workers of DC, Wage Theft
PRESS RELEASE IMMEDIATE RELEASE – UPDATE June 14, 2012 DC WORKERS UNION, DC JOBS WITH JUSTICE, AND METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATE NEW PROCEDURE TO RESOLVE WAGE THEFT COMPLAINTS CONTACT: Arturo Griffiths DC Jobs with Justice PHONE: 202-445-0411 CONTACT: Rachel Sier DC Jobs with Justice PHONE: 202-427-2172 District of Columbia day laborers (Unión de Trabajadores de DC/DC Workers Union) and DC Jobs with Justice announce the development of a new procedure to involve the Metropolitan Police Department in investigating and documenting wage theft cases. On Thursday, June 14th the members of the Unión de Trabajadores de DC/DC Workers Union and DC Jobs with Justice will celebrate this new accord with representatives from the MPD and DOES. The celebration will be held at 7 PM at the Foundry Church located at 1500 P St. NW, Washington, DC For the past several years DC Jobs with Justice has been working with immigrant day laborers to address the rampant problem of wage theft that affects workers throughout the District of Columbia. Wage theft occurs when workers do not get paid for work performed or are laid off without being paid their salary. Carlos Diaz, a member of la Union de Trabajadores de DC, says “Many of us work long hours to make ends meet. But frequently contractors refuse to pay what we are owed at the end of the day. We are happy that the D.C. police will now get involved in assisting us to recover our wages”. This procedure defines the role of the police in supplementing existing institutions by creating a standard protocol and training for officers...
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...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Feb 22, 2010 | Projects, Workers' Rights Board
Workers, advocates, labor leaders, and community activists packed the basement of First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church last Thursday night to examine how “Wage Theft” is impacting local workers. rnrnA board of 10 prominent community leaders, chaired by Rev. Raymond C. Bell of First Rising Mt. Zion Church, heard testimony from day laborers, security officers, ironworkers, and cleaners – all of whom had their hard-earned wages stolen in different ways. rnrn“The problem of stolen wages is very deep and very broad,” said Socorro Garcia, a day laborer and leader of the Union de Trabajadores, who has twice had to fight employers who refused to pay what they owed him. An estimated 60% of day laborers in DC experience non-payment or under-payment of wages. Frustrated by slow action by the DC Office of Wage and Hour, Garcia and others have been using direct action to help recover their rightful pay. Garcia urged other workers to report incidences of wage theft and work together for justice. “I know it is very difficult,” he said, “but we have to have the courage to step up and complain.”rnrnEric Sheptock, a homeless activist, echoed the sentiment, adding that education is important so that all workers know their rights. Last year, Sheptock was working for a cleaning company and being paid $7 per hour. After a friend pointed out that the DC minimum wage is $8.25, Sheptock spoke up and got the DC Office of Wage and Hour to investigate, resulting in an audit of the company and payment of back wages to Sheptock and all his co-workers. rnrnKeith Pugh and Carlene Olobayo, both former...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 14, 2009 | Interfaith Worker Justice, Projects
For the past 8 years, congregations around the DC metropolitan area, and around the country, have been participated in Labor in the Pulpit, Labor on the Bimah, Labor on the Minbar program as a way of remembering God’s call to pursue justice, honoring people’s labor and recalling the religious traditions that dignify and celebrate work. rnrnThis year’s theme, “Justice and Work in Times of Crisis,” will raise up the impact of the economic crisis on workers in out region, with a special focus on victims of stolen wages and on unemployment.rnrnCongregations can participate by inviting a worker or labor leader to speak during or after services, by holding a special discussion program, or simply by offering special prayers to raise up workers in our community. rnrnInterfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington and Jews United for Justice, who co-coordinate the program, provide resource packets that include scripture, denominational statements on worker justice, sample presentations, prayers, and bulletin/newsletter inserts. rnrn Sign-up on-line!rnrnFor more info about the program, contact Jonathan Wiens at jwien(at)dclabor.org or...
