Immigrant Employees of 99¢ Store Chain Obtain a $100,000 Settlement

IMMIGRANTS & EMPLOYMENT

Immigrants' Employment Rights and Remedies

IMMIGRANT EMPLOYEES OF 99¢ STORE CHAIN OBTAIN A $100,000 SETTLEMENT
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 15, No. 3, May 10, 2001

In a relatively quick resolution of their complaint for unpaid wages and overtime, 11 immigrants who worked as shipment and stock handlers in the warehouse and retail stores of a regional chain of 99¢ stores won a $100,000 settlement on Apr. 4, 2001.

With the assistance of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and the American Friends Service Committee's Immigrant Rights Program in New Jersey, the group of Latino workers filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in January 2001 against American Dreams, Inc., which is a company based in Jersey City, N.J., operating over forty 99¢ and dollar stores throughout the tri-state area. The workers claimed that they were not paid wages owed to them, in violation of state and federal wage and hour laws. They also alleged that they had been subjected to abusive working conditions, including racial harassment and being locked into stores overnight by supervisors.

While the complaint was filed as a class action lawsuit, the court had not yet certified the class. In addition to paying $100,000 to the 11 workers, the company agreed to post a notice in Spanish and English informing workers of their rights on the job, including the right to minimum wage and overtime.