Papa John's in NYC owes nearly $800,000 in unpaid wages

[Panich52]

DailyKos
Papa John's in NYC owes nearly $800,000 in unpaid wages
by Walter Einenkel

Emstar Pizza Inc. (which owns seven Papa John's pizza locations in Queens and Brooklyn) and its owner Emmanuel Onuaguluchi have been ordered to pay workers $789,507.06 in unpaid wages and other costs.

“This judgment sends a clear message that like every other business in New York, fast food employers must follow the law,” New York State attorney general Eric Schneiderman said in a statement. “This Papa John’s franchisee brazenly violated the law, shaving employees’ hours and avoiding paying overtime by various means, including giving managerial sounding titles such as ‘head driver.’

This ruling follows a long probe set up by the Attorney General's office going back a few months:

Local franchises are being eyed for possibly cheating workers out of overtime pay by masking a more than 40-hour-a-week schedule by having workers divide their time between two stores, sources said.

For example, a franchisee with two stores would have one employee work 20 hours at one store and 30 hours at another. Since each store is a separate company that reported the labor numbers to the state separately, it’s hard to tie them together.

The Attorney General's office is still looking at potential legal action against Papa John's corporate entity, according to the New York Post http://nypost.com/2015/02/01/schneiderman-wins-800k-in-back-wages-eyes-parent-suit/ :

“We might expect something against the franchisor soon,” a source familiar with the situation said.

The plan is to tie Onuaguluchi’s violations to John Schnatter, the company’s telegenic founder and chief executive, who is often seen on TV alongside NFL great Peyton Manning pitching pizzas.

{Italics mine (author) just because of word choice.}

That could be tough for Mr. Schnatter, who has already threatened to jack his prices up for fear of having to offer healthcare to workers, http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/26/1190017/-Suck-it-Papa-John-s-54-of-voters-would-pay-more-for-restaurant-meals-to-insure-workers thus taking important financial resources away from black hair dye.

It couldn't happen to a nicer fellow.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/10/1363602/-Papa-John-s-in-NYC-owes-nearly-800-000-in-unpaid-wages?detail=email
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[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. When the employer mandate kicks in, we are going to see hate and racism unlike

wait, unlike my ass

We are gonna see the same horrific levels of hate towards workers because of hate for Obama, and if companies like this can PUNISH workers for voting for Obama, they will.

Trust me on this.

[dilby]

2. Kind of a misleading title from the DailyKos

It's really Papa John's Franchise in NYC owes nearly $800,000 in unpaid wages

[tabbycat31]

3. Here's my question

Why the hell does Papa John's exist in NYC, a city known for amazing pizza?

How would they stay in business? Go to any corner pizzeria and you'll get a much better slice/pie.

[Omaha Steve]

4. Kick