NY Gets Judgment Against Papa John's Franchisee In Wage Case
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York's attorney general has obtained a judgment against a Harlem pizzeria owner for underpaying hundreds of delivery workers at five restaurants.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says the Papa John's franchisee, New Majority Holdings LLC, and owner and operator Ronald Johnson, violated state labor laws and underpaid minimum and overtime wages.
"Within the last two months, courts have found that two Papa John's franchisees owe almost $3 million to their workers," Schneiderman said in a statement. "We will continue to investigate wage and hour violations in the fast food industry. More broadly, franchisors need to step up to the plate. I call on all fast food franchisors, including Papa John's, to take steps necessary to ensure that their workers -- the backbone of their business -- are treated fairly and paid the wages the law requires."
As 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported, Schniederman said unscrupulous employers like Johnson count on workers being afraid to speak out, especially if they are undocumented immigrants.
"Every time workers come forward here and speak up, it gives courage to others," he said.
The judgment filed this week in state court orders the company and owner to pay $2.12 million, about half of that in owed pay, the rest for unreimbursed expenses, damages and interest.
The company and owner are ordered to pay delivery workers the minimum wage that's currently $8.75, stop rounding down hours worked to the nearest hour, pay them weekly and pay overtime after 40 hours a week.
The company's attorney did not immediately respond to a message.
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