Working “Off The Clock”
Los Angeles is the Wage Theft Capitol of the United States, where $26.2 million is stolen from workers every week. The thieves are not sticking up bank tellers or picking pickets on the street. The thieves are bosses who profit from not paying their hard working employees and then daring them to try to get it back.
That’s why Brave New Films joined forces with the LA Coalition Against Wage Theft to demand the LA City Council to address this problem. In our video, we profile four victims of wage theft who tell heartbreaking stories of working for low wages and then suffering the indignity of not being paid.
LA has the highest incidence of wage theft compared to other cities. $1.4 billion are stolen from workers in the city every year. Even if a worker wins a claim, only %17 receives any compensation.People who experience wage theft are more likely to have diabetes and depression.
Noe, a line cook, worked 13 and 14 hours days for two months without being paid. He had to borrow money from friends so he could pay rent. He was awarded $10,460 after he filed a claim but only ended up getting $1,600.Hilda, a garment worker, went to the Labor Commission to file a claim for $5,400 but her employers had already filed bankruptcy. She had to wait 13 months to be compensated and then she only got $1,200.
Zumi, a server, has worked in the industry for ten years. He had his tip stolen, his time card messed with, and been forced to work off the clock.
Felipe a car wash worker, has had to work 10, 11 hours days even though he was only paid for 5 or 6 of those hours. He had to live on tips alone. He was awarded $67,000 but didn’t get any money.
My employer Cinemas 123 steals from me. After we’ve submitted our hours the manager goes in and changes our timesheets. we’re supposed to get 20 minute paid breaks if less than a 6 hour shift. manager will go in and make sure that these 20 minute paid breaks are 30 minute unpaid breaks. after a month of work it adds up to hundreds of dollars. Its a lot of bookkeeping work on my part just to keep up with their scam. i refuse to do it off the clock so i have to confront the manager and face being fired… Read more »