Taste Of Thai

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Labor Violations- TASTE OF THAI owes over 28K ! 2nd February 2009

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Ithaca, January 21, 2009


Labor Law Violations by Local Restaurants Confirmed

The Tompkins County Workers' Center (TCWC) announced today, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), the results of an investigation which found substantial labor law and wage violations (involving 36 workers and a $28K settlement) by two Ithaca restaurants: TASTE OF THAI (located on The Commons) and TAMARIND (503 N. Meadow Street).

Two 'front of the house' workers approached the TCWC this past summer with great concern about how they and others, especially 'back of the house' workers, were being treated with respect to tip, overtime, and days of work violations. The TCWC had a meeting in June with the owner and business manager of the restaurants, who expressed interest in signing a Community Responsibility Agreement (CRA) with the TCWC. However, the TCWC was never again contacted by the restaurants about signing the CRA. The TCWC fearing that it was hearing only part of the story then contacted the NYSDOL to find out what was legal and what was not.

The news of the settlement with Taste of Thai and Tamarind comes within the context of a growing movement to end 'wage theft', a serious problem in various industries (a record level of recovered wages in New York was reported in 2008 alone in New York State--$24.6 million for 17,000 workers, probably the tip of the iceberg). The TCWC has a strong record in dealing with 'wage theft' and other labor law violations (Kinko's, Collegetown Pizzeria, New Delhi Diamond's Restaurant, and the Plum Tree/Sushi o Sake Restaurants).

Former Taste of Thai wait person, Deidra Cross, instrumental in raising concern about the restaurants, says, "I would like to express my gratitude to the NYSDOL and the TCWC for taking the time to listen to and address concerns that were brought to them in this situation and for helping me, and other staff members, to receive wages that were illegally taken. Their commitment and diligence to their jobs make coming forward to report suspected violations more feasible and realistic to the 'average, everyday' worker".

Matt Peterson, a current wait staff employee at Taste of Thai, voiced his hope that the workers at the restaurant will be treated fairly and lawfully in the future.