Twenty-five Domino’s Pizza employees who were fired after complaining about the wages have been reinstated, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Thursday.
Schneiderman and 3683 Washington Heights Pizza LLC reached the agreement to have the employees return to work by Sunday at the latest, according to a news release from the attorney general’s office.
The workers lost their jobs Saturday night after they complained they were paid a “tipped wage” and spending excessive time performing untipped kitchen work. Under state law, workers who regularly receive tips may be paid as little as $1.60 an hour from their employer, but state and federal laws limit the amount of time they may perform untipped work, such as cleaning or kitchen work.
The agreement does not resolve the ongoing wage dispute.
“Because of this agreement, 25 workers will be back to work in time for the holidays,” Schneiderman said in the news release. “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.”
State law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who have made good-faith complaints about labor-law violations.
The case was brought to Schneiderman’s attention by City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, who represents Washington Heights, and the advocacy group New York Communities for Change.
“This victory solidifies New York State and New York City’s long-standing commitment to worker’s rights and is symbolic for the low wage worker movement across the country,” Rodriguez said in the release.
Jose Sanchez, one of the reinstated employees, said he and his coworkers were “excited” to return to their jobs.
“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,” Sanchez said in the news release. “My fellow employees and I were so moved by the solidarity and support we received from this community. As we keep up our push for $15/hour and the right to form a union, we know the community has our back.”
