SEATTLE, WA – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against a northern Washington berry farm for violating the labor provisions of the H-2A visa program. Sakuma Brothers Farms Inc. and the Washington State Farm Labor Association have been assessed $124,575 in civil money penalties and an additional $9,599 for failing to pay back wages to an eligible U.S. worker who was not hired and to workers who drove the buses that transported workers to the farm.

KIHEI, HI – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation, Piilani Gardens LLC, based in Kihei will pay $84,136 in overtime back wages to 22 employees performing maintenance and landscaping activities on Maui to resolve federal overtime pay and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

ESTILL SPRINGS, TN – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation, Tinsley Asphalt LLC, a Tennessee paving company, will pay $77,467 in back wages to 43 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SOLEDAD, CA – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Future Ag Management Inc. – a Soledad, California-based farm labor contractor – will pay $168,082 in penalties to resolve Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) violations that posed a direct and imminent threat to its employees. 

MEMPHIS, TN – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation, Empire Packing LP, a Memphis meat cutting and packing company, will pay $127,830 in back wages and liquidated damages to 272 employees for violating overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

BOSTON, MA – In connection with a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the owners of several Boston, Massachusetts, pizza restaurants have agreed to a preliminary order enjoining them from retaliating against employees or former employees, and from instructing employees not to speak with or to lie to U.S. Department of Labor investigators.

MIAMI, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, Cartagena’s Inc., a Miami-based commercial aircraft paint contractor, will pay $54,704 in back wages to 31 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, Fort Lauderdale window and door installation contractor ADCO Installers LLC will pay $103,608 in back wages to 35 employees. WHD investigators found the employer violated overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Investigators determined ADCO Installers LLC paid employees straight-time rates, instead of the required time-and-one-half, for hours they worked over 40 in a work week.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), WM Limited Partnership-1998, a Grand Rapids-based franchisee of 53 Wendy’s Restaurants, has paid $258,249 in civil money penalties for child labor violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at all 53 of its Michigan restaurants.

ANN ARBOR, MI – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that Min & Kim Inc., an Ann Arbor restaurant doing business as Seoul Garden of Ann Arbor, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Min & Kim Inc. was ordered by a federal court to pay $112,212 in back wages to 27 employees to resolve alleged federal wage violations, including failure to pay overtime and maintain accurate payroll and time records.

HAINES CITY, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), landscaper Southern Sod will pay $79,758 in back wages and liquidated damages to 70 employees. The WHD investigation found the company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

ERLANGER, KY – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Erlanger-based plumbing contractor D&B Plumbing has paid $73,470 in back wages, overtime, and fringe benefits to eight employees. Investigators determined the company violated labor provisions of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).

TROY, MI – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation, Nino Salvaggio Fruit and Vegetable Markets—operator of three Detroit-area fruit and vegetable markets—has agreed to pay $135,657 in back overtime wages and interest to 212 employees to resolve a federal lawsuit.  

JENKINTOWN, PA – Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment ordering Jenkintown-based Metro Kitchen Bar Inc. and its owner to pay $25,902 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 50 employees. Investigators found that Metro Kitchen Bar Inc.

BIRMINGHAM, AL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Taziki’s Restaurants LLC – which operates 14 restaurants in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia – has paid $135,844 to 26 employees to resolve violations of overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – After an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Palm Shores Retirement Community Inc. will pay $181,663 in back wages to 454 employees for violating the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

HOUSTON, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, DC Broadway Inc. – operator of Don Carlos Mexican Restaurants – will pay $97,080 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 24 employees to resolve violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

MANVEL, TX – After an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Redman Communications Inc. will pay $63,132 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 53 employees to resolve violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

LANSDOWNE, PA – Following a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division investigation, a U.S. District Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Lansdowne-based Central Laundry Inc. from transporting, shipping, or delivering goods across state lines that were produced by employees not paid legally required federal minimum wage and overtime rates. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for today. 

Central Laundry Inc. does business as Olympic Linen and Liberty Laundry.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation, Laura and Carole Nobis – owners of Nobis Care Homes – have paid $194,275 in back wages to 13 caregivers and cooks to resolve Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations.