Mayor Zohran Mamdani likes to make sure workers in New York City are being valued. He also likes food.
“City Hall’s first-ever mukbang. Here we are,” he said.
He combined those messages in an unusual press conference on YouTube Tuesday, in which he took bites of Dunkin’ and Taco Bell before singling out two franchise owners.
What You Need To Know
On Tuesday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Sam Levine announced two settlements for a total of $1.8 million for more than 800 workers who allegedly had their scheduling rights violated
The mayor announced the city was also targeting another Dunkin’ franchise owner on Staten Island, saying he shortchanged roughly one thousand workers across 21 locations in the borough
NY1 reached out to the franchisees involved and the parent companies
“Thank you to the workers who made this. Not the franchisees who broke the law, but the workers who made the Crunchwrap Supreme. You did supremely well,” the mayor said.
In a video style known as mukbang, in which the host eats food in front of an audience, Mamdani was joined by Sam Levine, the commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
While snacking, they announced two settlements for a total of $1.8 million for more than 800 workers who allegedly had their scheduling rights violated.A Manhattan fashion retailer was also targeted and settled with the city.
“What we want to see in this city is compliance. We want there to be a job where a worker can go to where they know their rights are going to be respected, and yet for too long in this city there’s been a sense of impunity,” Mamdani said.
The mayor announced the city was also targeting another Dunkin’ franchise owner on Staten Island, saying he shortchanged roughly one thousand workers across 21 locations in the borough.
“When you don’t give people a predictable schedule, it’s not just a violation. It really has big consequences for people’s lives. Whether they can work a second job, take care of their family, plan for their futures and keep their job,” Levine said.
NY1 reached out to the franchisees involved and the parent companies.
City officials said that the efforts are also aimed at helping business owners stay within the bounds of the law and continue to thrive.
“I recognize [that] for many small businesses, especially, they may have questions about how these laws operate. We are here to support them. We are happy to answer questions they have,” Levine said on NY1’s “Inside City Hall.”
The untraditional press conference included questions submitted online and read aloud live.
“Here’s a good one from OrleyMattlo. What’s an example of a right that workers have but might not know about?” Levine asked.
And an opportunity for the public to ask questions directly.
“This is from DesireeBattle991, sour cream or no sour cream?” Levine asked.
Mamdani had a warning for businesses.
“Dont violate your employees’ protections and rights because we will be forced to come after you and have a Baja Blast,” the mayor said.