Workers to file charges today with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE)

Media Contact: Anna Rose, (802) 377-9379, anna.rose@ueunion.org [1]

Today workers at Augie’s Coffee will file 18 individual wage theft claims averaging over $7,000 per worker with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. These claims detail over $140,000 in violations committed by Augie’s Coffee over the last 3 years. 18 of the 54 laid-off workers will file initial claims this morning with additional claims expected in the coming days and weeks. 

After being laid off on July 4th, Augie’s workers began to uncover numerous violations of wage, hour, and break time laws. “During the years that I worked in the warehouse I would often work 8 hours straight without having the chance to take a lunch break — which it turns out is illegal,” said six-year employee Kelley Bader. “I trusted the Amento’s and its startling to realize that laying us all off wasn’t the first time they were breaking the law.”  

“During the pandemic there were weeks when I was working 10 days straight or more without overtime compensation or appropriate breaks,” said Katie Walsh, an employee from Redlands. “It's really upsetting that we worked so hard to keep Augie’s afloat during the pandemic and they repaid us by violating overtime laws and then laying us all off.”

Earlier this month Augie’s Coffee employees filed charges at the National Labor Relations Board over their mass termination after they formed a union. Those charges are currently under investigation. To coordinate an interview with an Augie’s worker please contact Anna Rose at 802-377-9379. Photos available upon request.

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