New York Employment Attorney Blog
A federal magistrate judge from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York awarded food delivery workers of New York’s famed Saigon Grill $4.6 Million in damages as a result of federal and New York State wage violations.
The action was filed in 2007 by thirty-six men who worked for Saigon Grill during various periods from 1999 to 2007. The plaintiffs asserted claims for minimum wage and overtime violations under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition, the plaintiffs alleged unlawful deductions from wages that were imposed by Saigon Grill as fines or penalties for workplace infractions. Plaintiffs also sought reimbursement for expenses relating to their bicycles and motorcycles, which they used for making deliveries.
The trial began on June 23, 2008 and ended on June 27, 2008. The Court found in favor of the plaintiff and awarded damages totaling $4.6 million.
The case represents another example of alleged exploitation of undocumented workers in violation of federal and state labor and employment laws.