Ridgewood, Queens (WABC) — Workers at Boston Market in Ridgewood, Queens, told 7 On Your Side that they were not paid regularly or in some cases at all.
“We never know when we’re going to get a check,” restaurant director Rachel Cuevas told investigative reporter Kristin Thorne. “I know one employee at this place who hasn’t been paid for about a month.”
Cuevas said the problems started shortly after the new year.
“Initially the company’s reaction was, ‘Oh, we’re going to pay later,'” she said. “It’s 11 days late, 7 days late, 9 days late.”
The New York State Department of Labor told Witness News that it has received similar complaints from workers at the Middletown, Westchester and Hicksville Boston markets.
Two weeks ago, the New Jersey Department of Labor issued a shutdown order for 27 Boston markets.
The state found the restaurant chain owed hundreds of employees more than $600,000 in wages.
Labor officials said the company has requested a hearing challenging the state’s findings.
In the company’s namesake town, Boston, a group of workers is filing a class-action lawsuit against the company, alleging that it is underpaid or underpaid.
“Many of them are waiting for this money to pay their mortgage, pay their rent and go about their daily lives,” said attorney Eric Walz.
Last month, food supplier US Foods filed a lawsuit against Boston Market, alleging that the chain owes them $11.6 million.
Cuevas and her staff were acutely aware of the company’s legal problems, but didn’t know what to do.
“We’re not getting any information on what’s going on, like are we going out of business? Is the company in danger of going out of business? Should we start looking for other jobs?” she said.
Eyewitness News contacted Boston Market several times, as well as the company’s owner’s attorney. No one replied to us.
You can also contact Kristen Thorne said directly:
Email your questions, questions or story ideas to 7OnYourSideKristin@abc.com
Facebook: Christine Thorne.WABC
Twitter: @Christine Thorne
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