Wage Justice Center

Olivia filed claims for years of wage theft. The California Labor Commissioner issued a judgment for $20,000, but like most victims of wage theft, Olivia couldn’t get paid with the judgment alone. She turned to the Wage Justice Center. Our investigation revealed that the janitorial company was evading its responsibility by simply changing the corporation’s name. You can imagine Olivia’s frustration and disappointment every time she passed her local Police Department, knowing ...her former employer was doing the same work, at the same location, but claimed to be a different company simply because it was now Good Stuff Janitorial instead of Good Quality Janitorial. Our investigation revealed evidence that’s unfortunately common in our work: The owner’s corporation was suspended because Good Stuff Janitorial owed $5,000 in back taxes to the State of California. When Wage Justice Center and MCTF filed a lawsuit against Good Stuff Janitorial for taking the police station business account from Good Quality Janitorial, we also asked for an expedited proceeding, so Olivia didn’t have to wait for two years of litigation to prove the obvious. Because the $5,000 in back taxes prevented the employer from responding, it would have been sensible to negotiate a payment plan with Olivia. But spite is rarely sensible: The same spite led him to pay $5,000 in back taxes just to be able to file an opposition to our expedited proceeding. Yet, his opposition filing was futile: our Public Records Act Request to the City disclosed that the right to clean the Police Station went from Good Quality Janitorial to Good Stuff Janitorial without a new bid. This tied together both companies. The employer paid Olivia an additional $28,000, covering nearly four years of interest. Olivia’s activism on behalf of all workers continued. She traveled by bus to Sacramento to advocate for prior versions of the now-passed SB 588. If you are interested in reading more stories, seeking help, or want to donate, check out our website: http://wagejustice.org/

Wage Justice Center has been fighting wage theft for 14 years for underrepresented workers in California. In November 2019, a group of workers, represented by Legal Aid at Work, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network and Wage Justice Center, filed mechanic’s liens for claimed wages earned for work performed at Chapman Court, a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument located in Koreatown, Los Angeles. The workers are happy to report that they have resolved their dispute w...ith the companies involved except Core Painting. Kaptive Construction & Preservation, Inc., a company doing business as Kaptive C&P, and M. Librush Construction, Inc., a company doing business as MDM Builders Group have come forward to help resolve the dispute. These claims between the workers and Kaptive Construction and M. Librush Construction are now fully resolved as the workers have been compensated to their satisfaction. For more success stories check out: http://wagejustice.org/success-stories/ Join us to fight against wage theft: http://wagejustice.org/contribute/

In 2020 alone, Wage Justice Center has put over $800,000 back into workers’ pockets and assisted thousands of workers. These funds have allowed low-wage workers and their families to stay housed and keep food on their tables. Support the fight for low-wage workers. Support to end wage theft. Support Wage Justice this #GivingTuesday. http://wagejustice.org/contribute/

El viernes pasado continuamos nuestra distribucion de comidas caseras gracias a People's Pantry Los Angeles. Tambien nos acompano el Centro de Justicia de S...ueldo quienes repartieron materiales de PPE y conocimiento acerca de robo de sueldo y derechos laborales. Recordamos que el aprendizaje desde lo colectivo nos ayuda a conocer de forma critica la realidad que nos rodea, aun mas en el contexto de la pandemia! Free home made meals last Friday thanks to @PeoplesPantryLA! Also a big thank you to the Wage Justice Center who shared PPE kits and material on wage theft and labor rights with workers! Collective learning remains an important critical and reflective practice (& challenge) in light of the pandemic. See more

Wage Justice Center is excited to help increase Chinese language capacity at @Bet Tzedek's Employment Rights Project's Workers Rights Clinic. Bet Tzedek's Employment Rights Project hosts virtual Workers Rights Clinics every Wednesday for anyone in LA County who needs FREE legal assistance with work-related questions. People can set up an appointment by calling 323-939-0506 ext. 426 for Chinese and 323-939-0506 ext. 415 for English/Spanish. Please share widely.

Each year donors like you put their gratitude into action and stand alongside nonprofit organizations, like Wage Justice Center, that are committed to fighting for justice in our communities. The Wage Justice Center specializes in advocating for low-wage workers whose employers refuse to pay wages for their hard work. A UCLA study showed that in Los Angeles, at least 650,000 low-wage workers lose $26.20 million in wage theft each week, mostly from employers who pay below the minimum wage or do not pay overtime. This is money that low-wage families need to pay rent and provide for the basic needs of their children. Please join us in our movement to end wage theft by donating to Wage Justice Center this #GivingTuesday. Thank you for your support!

Wage Justice, KIWA, and Legal Aid at Work fighting against wage theft. Real estate development should not be at the expense of workers

We have a full house at the Wage Justice and NLS Legal Clinic this morning!

Please share this training opportunity that is open to the community: Know Your Rights as a Worker: Saturday, November 2, 10 a.m. to 12 noon @ Asian Youth Center, 100 Clary Ave., San Gabriel, CA 91776 ! : 11 2 10 12 @ Asian Youth Center, 100 Clary Ave., San Gabriel, CA 91776

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday to recognize the accomplishments of Monica Guizar Eckart and the UCLA Labor Center. We loved seeing everyone and are grateful for your support of our work.

We are less than one week away! The Wage Justice Center is privileged to honor the dynamic work of the UCLA Labor Center with the Sirolly/Yee Founders Award. The UCLA Labor Center has played a crucial role in research, education, and policy development that serves low-income workers and communities in Southern California. Join us in celebrating the achievements of the Labor Center on September 14!

Wage Justice Center is privileged to honor Monica Guizar Eckart with our Advocate of the Year Award. Join us on September 14th to celebrate her leadership in the workers rights community.

Tax Day 2019 #WageTheftFact #WageJustice

What International Women's Day, March 8, is REALLY about: Striking. https://www.independent.co.uk//international-womens-day-wh

#minimumwagesaveslives

#WorkersCreateValue

Wage Justice begins with a single leader who leads by example.