Comments on: Employees at Saugus, MA Jin Restaurant Claim Labor Abuse http://bostonchinatowngateway.com/archives/204 Boston Chinatown's first blog Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:25:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Will http://bostonchinatowngateway.com/archives/204#comment-1201 Will Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:51:37 +0000 http://bostonchinatowngateway.com/archives/204#comment-1201 These disputes have occurred in many establishments and the longer these disputes last the worse everyone involved will be. The best advice I've ever gotten from an attorney is "settle, settle, settle". The faster everyone arrives at a resolution, the less financial pain everyone will be in. These disputes have occurred in many establishments and the longer these disputes last the worse everyone involved will be.

The best advice I’ve ever gotten from an attorney is “settle, settle, settle”. The faster everyone arrives at a resolution, the less financial pain everyone will be in.

]]> By: a http://bostonchinatowngateway.com/archives/204#comment-1196 a Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:49:28 +0000 http://bostonchinatowngateway.com/archives/204#comment-1196 Jin Asian Cuisine is one of the largest Chinese restaurants in Massachusetts, with nearly 1,000 seats. But Chinese wait-staff report: - Stolen tips and pay: the restaurant stole their tips to pay weekend non-Chinese temporary workers at $30 an hour. Wait-staff also describe time-sheet irregularities, not being paid if they forgot to punch out, and having meal breaks improperly deducted. - Discrimination: non-Chinese temp workers were paid $30 an hour, but Chinese temp workers were paid half as much. - Up to 16 hours of work per day! - Workers often had no meal breaks, but their wages and a meal fee were always deducted! When allowed to eat meals, they were given the buffet leftovers after the customers left. - Unsafe conditions: workers suffered back and muscle injuries from overwork; one fractured three ribs by slipping on the constantly wet floors. And when workers were injured, the restaurant did not cooperate so they could receive Workers Compensation! - Intimidation & retaliation for asking about their tips. - Workers were unjustly fired for standing up for their rights - and then falsely accused of stealing tips by the management! This accusation, made after workers began exploring legal action, is an act of retaliation, hurting the workers' reputations and ability to find future employment. In 2006, Chinese & Latino workers initiated a class action lawsuit and attempted to meet with the owner, Ming Lam, who then broke his promises to them. Latino workers settled their portion of the suit this year, but the wait-staff continues to struggle on. Another negotiation has been scheduled for January -- we need your support! Let them know you will not eat there, and will tell your friends, family, and community not to, until the workers demands are met! Jin Asian Cuisine 20 Bennett Hwy Saugus, MA 01906 For more info, please contact the Chinese Progressive Association at amee at cpaboston dot org Jin Asian Cuisine is one of the largest Chinese restaurants in Massachusetts, with nearly 1,000 seats. But Chinese wait-staff report:
- Stolen tips and pay: the restaurant stole their tips to pay weekend non-Chinese temporary workers at $30 an hour. Wait-staff also describe time-sheet irregularities, not being paid if they forgot to punch out, and having meal breaks improperly deducted.
- Discrimination: non-Chinese temp workers were paid $30 an hour, but Chinese temp workers were paid half as much.
- Up to 16 hours of work per day!
- Workers often had no meal breaks, but their wages and a meal fee were always deducted! When allowed to eat meals, they were given the buffet leftovers after the customers left.
- Unsafe conditions: workers suffered back and muscle injuries from overwork; one fractured three ribs by slipping on the constantly wet floors. And when workers were injured, the restaurant did not cooperate so they could receive Workers Compensation!
- Intimidation & retaliation for asking about their tips.
- Workers were unjustly fired for standing up for their rights - and then falsely accused of stealing tips by the management! This accusation, made after workers began exploring legal action, is an act of retaliation, hurting the workers’ reputations and ability to find future employment.

In 2006, Chinese & Latino workers initiated a class action lawsuit and attempted to meet with the owner, Ming Lam, who then broke his promises to them. Latino workers settled their portion of the suit this year, but the wait-staff continues to struggle on. Another negotiation has been scheduled for January — we need your support! Let them know you will not eat there, and will tell your friends, family, and community not to, until the workers demands are met!
Jin Asian Cuisine
20 Bennett Hwy
Saugus, MA 01906

For more info, please contact the Chinese Progressive Association at amee at cpaboston dot org

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