Arise Members Announce 6 Workplace Victories
1. Arising for Respect
Workers at a suburban tortilla factory reported their employer did not pay overtime, shaved off hours worked from each pay period, and refused to pay the new Cook County Minimum Wage. Former workers also reported hazardous conditions, including dangerously high levels of both heat and carbon monoxide gas; as well as bullying by the employer who continuously used anti-immigrant rhetoric. With support from Arise, the workers filed a federal lawsuit and recently won an agreement with the employer.
2. Cleaning Up Stolen Wages
Arise member Teresa worked for a home cleaning agency and reported not being paid for all hours worked. Arise reached out to the agency owner and supported Teresa in negotiations where she won back all owed wages! Teresa recently became an Arise Green Cleaning trainer to teach other domestic workers how to protect their bodies from harsh chemicals to make their own safe cleaning products. To other workers facing wage theft or mistreatments, Teresa says “Don’t stay quiet. Speak up! Get together as a group to stand up for your needs.”
3. Distributing Justice
A group of newspaper distribution workers complained about irregularities in the workplace, among them economic “punishments” and “fines” when they reported sick or when newspaper subscribers complained about late deliveries, regardless of inclement weather. With support from Arise they held a press action, filed a lawsuit, and just on an agreement with their company which includes not only an economic compensation but also puts an end to the “fines”, and a process for complaints if workers suspect missing payments.
Said worker Joaquin if their victory “The money is important. But we took action because of the injustice. The improvements we won will make a big difference. They can’t mistreat us anymore”.
4. Overcoming No Match
Cristina was fired immediately after her employer received a “No Match” letter from the Social Security Administration. Arise provided a letter for her to request reinstatement, alongside the memo from the SSA to Congressman Costa which explicitly states employers should not take any negative action upon receiving a “No Match letter”. Cristina delivered both documents to her boss and was called for a meeting where she was told that firing her had been part of the confusion created by the letter, and that they understood the many ways in which a mismatch can show up in the SSA database, so she could come back to work!
5. Fixing Up Wage Theft
Arise member and body shop worker Rene complained about not being paid for his overtime hours, with no response from his employer. Arise accompanied him to the body shop and requested to meet with the owner. At first reluctant, the owner agrees to meet on the spot and after a conversation, he recognized the debt and agreed to pay all owed overtime!
6. Serving Up a Victory
After not paying wages for three weeks, the owner of Taco Joint decided to shut down one of his restaurants. With support from Arise, workers organized and rallied outside of one of the remaining locations bringing local attention to the wage theft. Shortly after, the owner agreed to meet, recognized his debt and started paying in installments. Workers are receiving monthly checks regularly.