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According to the Assurance of Discontinuance document [PDF] filed in the matter the office of AG Eric T. Schneiderman began investigating this franchisee back in October, issuing subpoenas to see if the company had been in violation of state and federal labor laws.
Some employees who work for this franchisee claim they are being paid like they were tipped employees (i.e., that they would be deriving a majority of their income from tips) when in fact they were spending much of their time doing work for which they would not receive tips, like working in the kitchen.
As we’ve explained before, employers are allowed to pay tipped workers below minimum wage, so long as the employees receive enough tips to make up the difference. In New York, the minimum wage for a tipped delivery driver is $5.65/hour, and there are statutory limits put on the number of hours a tipped employee can do work for which he or she will not receive a tip.
New York law prohibits employers from firing workers who make good-faith complaints — whether it’s to the employer or to a government agency — that they may be receiving wages that violate state and federal labor laws.
The Schneiderman’s office is still investigating whether the Domino’s franchisee is underpaying his drivers or forcing them to do too much untipped work, but both the franchisee has entered into the above-linked Assurance agreement that will get the dismissed employees back to work by Sunday, Dec. 15 at the latest, and protect them against any retaliation.
“Because of this agreement, 25 workers will be back to work in time for the holidays,” said Schneiderman in a statement. “New York’s labor laws exist to ensure the protection and fair treatment of employees in the workplace. My office will take swift action where there is any indication that an employer may have retaliated against workers for complaining about illegal labor conditions.”
One of the reinstated employees says he and his fellow drivers are “excited to be able to return to work at a legal wage. This was never just about us alone — it was about the 84% of NYC fast-food workers who, like us, are victims of wage theft in our city.”
Yes, the very ones that sold the contaminated yogurts in the first place. Reader David reports that he hasn’t been able to redeem his coupons, since retailers are often suspicious of “free product” coupons. We definitely understand that.
“We were one of many families who bought the recalled product,” writes David. “Replacement coupons were sent. Stores would not accept them. A second batch was mailed. Same result/problem.”
Two batches of coupons? Oh, dear. We contacted Chobani for some advice, and their recommendation was…to contact Chobani for some more coupons. “We understand it can be a frustrating situation, and promise to do whatever it takes to ensure our consumers are fully satisfied,” a company spokesperson told Consumerist. If you can’t find a retailer that will exchange your coupon for yogurts, call them at (877) 847-6181 send an e-mail via www.chobani.com/care for replacement coupons or a refund.
