While in Davis Square this afternoon, I was pleased to see Denise Provost — my local representative (and BMG reader!) — marching in today’s demonstration outside Diva.
The “facts of the case”, as reported in the above link, are the same related by the protesters this afternoon:
8 former workers are owed back wages. Work was preformed at Mumbai Chopstix, Cafe of India, Bukhara, and Diva Indian Bistro. These restaurants are part of the One World Cuisine restaurant group owned by Amrik S. Pabla. The workers were working more than 70 hour weeks and being paid under the minimum wage and without overtime pay. For several weeks the workers received no pay at all. They are asking One World Cuisine to pay them the wages that are owed. The workers are being represented by an attorney through Centro Presente. The workers are organizing a public campaign to pressure One World Cuisine to pay them the wages they are owed.
Sound familiar (as in a certain pizza company)? My oldest son and I joined the march for a time, and I am happy to see my representative walking the walk as well as talking the talk.
Denise Provost, by the way, has a primary opponent. She is a solid progressive who deserves re-election.
and the author of the best one-liner of the year in House debates, although Representative Jim Lyons (R-Andover) might disagree.
Sounds pretty clear they broke the law, though of course they are entitled to a defense. Therefore, this shouldn’t just be a matter of public pressure.
Hester Prynne, rather than teasing us could you enlighten us as to what the one-liner is to which you are refering?
According to a report published earlier this month, Centro Presente (the organization planning the protests) has filed complaints with both the U. S. Department of Labor and the state Attorney General’s office:
Yup!