From New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga: New York City has a basic promise to the 58,000 Fast Food Employees within its five Boroughs: The right to a predictable, stable and regular schedule. It’s not just an ideal. It’s the law – the Fair Workweek Law. And the agency I proudly oversee, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), is in charge of enforcing it. We don’t take that responsibility lightly. On December 1st, we announced a landmark $38.9 million settlement with Starbucks for violating that very law at more than 300 locations Citywide. Over 15,000 Workers in New York City employed by Starbucks between July 2021 and July 2024 will receive restitution payments by mail in approximately February 2026. It’s the largest Worker Protection settlement in New York City history. By repeatedly and arbitrarily cutting employees’ hours and disregarding its regular scheduling obligations, Starbucks caused income instability for the hard-working Baristas who power its business – keeping workers involuntarily in part-time work while making it difficult for them to plan other commitments such as childcare, education or second jobs. It’s neither just nor legal, no matter how you stir it. These were not mere one-off instances of neglect or confusion, but systemic non-compliance with the law. Based on evidence gathered, including interviews with dozens of Workers and payroll data from Starbucks, DCWP uncovered a pattern of open disregard for the law – well beyond the initial locations where Workers brought forth complaints. Indeed, our investigation yielded conclusive, damning evidence. Starbucks committed over half a million violations of Workers’ Rights under the Fair Workweek Law since 2021.
To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: Grinding for Justice: A Breakthrough Settlement and a Bold Stand for Workers – LaborPress