http://youtu.be/E8lKrbD2U84 Dear Mr. Thompson, My name is Jorge Rios. I’m a student guestworker from Argentina who came to the U.S. on the State Department’s J-1 Summer Work Travel Program, together with other students from Latin America and Asia. We paid $3,000-4,000 each to come to the United States on this program, expecting a cultural exchange and good work that would let us earn back this money over three months and travel a bit at the end. Instead, we became exploited workers at McDonald’s restaurants in Pennsylvania. We had terrible working and housing conditions. We faced threats, stolen wages, grease burns up and down our arms. We were only used to enrich our employer. We expected to have 40 hours of work a week, but we were given as little as four hours a week at the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. The employer knew we were desperate for more hours, and he kept us on call to come in with 30 minutes’ notice all day and night. I didn’t even have time to visit the public library. If we ever answered that we couldn’t work a shift—if someone was sick or exhausted when they got a call at 4 in the morning—the managers retaliated by giving us even less hours. We could not quit because we knew that if we did, our visas would be cancelled. One manager told us, “You better remember, all we have to do is make one phone call and we can deport you back to your country at any time.” Our employer Andy Cheung charged us $300 each per month to live in basement apartments he owned. As many as eight of us lived in a single basement. We slept on bunkbeds made for children that shook and squeaked. We had no privacy whatsoever. When we talked to the U.S. workers alongside us, we learned that they were being exploited too. They told us they also faced too few hours, threats from managers, and unpaid overtime. This is not the America we believed in. We believe America is a beautiful country, where everyone can have respect and fair treatment at work. We decided to stand up for ourselves, for other J-1 student guestworkers, and for U.S. workers. Today, with the support of the National Guestworker Alliance, my fellow students and I held a surprise work stoppage at the McDonald’s where we worked. We met with allies from the community, with local workers, and with unemployed people. We told our stories, and said that no one should have to experience what we did. We asked to meet with our employer Andy Cheung, but he refused. So we are respectfully asking you, as President and CEO of McDonald’s: 1. That McDonald’s pay us students back all the money we are owed, including the money we spent to come work for the company, unpaid overtime, and housing overcharges; 2. That McDonald’s offer full-time work to its U.S. workers, who are struggling with too few hours; 3. That McDonald’s reveal all the stores where it employs guestworkers, and sign an agreement with the National Guestworker Alliance to guarantee basic labor standards for them, including protections from retaliation when workers organize against abuse. Sincerely, Jorge Rios and the McDonald’s J-1 Student Guestworkers

This is important because it is a widespread problem, not only among this company but nearly every company in health care. Many people think they can just go to another job every time these things get to be too bad at one, but all that does is show these employers that they can violate our rights and just run us off. The cycle will then continue over and over as long as nobody wants to hold them accountable. This affects every employee AND the patients we take care of. ASC sees us as disposable, and no matter how good of an employee you are, they will turn on you as soon as they feel threatened. They don't want us speaking out about safety or our rights. Even if you feel like you don't have proof, write down dates when you are reprimanded for anything. Save all texts, write ups, etc. If you suddenly began getting in trouble for something that you were previously doing without issue, that can be evidence of possible retaliation. Other things that can prove retaliation are being reprimanded for things that other employees do without reprimand. Having witnesses can help prove this stuff as well.

We need to stop Sunil Pande and Versa Cloud ERP from destroying more humans.

The safety of employees should be all companies number one  priority. Unlawful termination is wrong 

Independent Drivers Guide and Chicago Gig Alliance helps me to good news. Some Riders doesn't care about sign says " I am deaf is drivers and cannot hear you " on back of seats in vehicle. keep reporting to Uber and Lyft, Inc against me I was driving aggressive with speed limits, lied them about Drugs, Drunk Liquors, and Intoxicating while I driving. Some Riders keep tapping my right shoulder & arm and point directions while I driving. Also, Riders was talk to me I cannot them while driving.

Many of us come to work every day feeling unmotivated, unappreciated, and mentally and physically drained. The unprofessionalism, favoritism, and disorganization from senior leads, operations managers, terminal managers, and training managers have created a toxic atmosphere that is impacting our well-being and making our jobs harder than they need to be. This is not how things should be, and we have the power to demand better. We deserve to be treated with fairness and respect, but instead, we face constant dishonesty, targeting, and favoritism. Too many good employees have been unfairly fired or pushed out, and leadership’s refusal to advocate for higher pay or improve conditions has only worsened the situation. This lack of action has made it nearly impossible to retain workers, leaving the rest of us overburdened and unsupported.

This petition is crucial because it highlights the urgent need for fair wages and accountability at Glu Hospitality. Recently, we witnessed the closure of 1225 Raw due to their inability to pay chefs, leaving many workers without the wages they earned and still owed. This situation exemplifies a broader issue within our industry, where workers are often left vulnerable to wage theft and unfair pay practices. By uniting our voices through this petition, we demand transparency in wage distribution and assurance that all tips are handled fairly. Our call for accountability is not just about protecting our rights as current employees; it’s about preventing future workers from facing similar hardships. We want to ensure that all employees at Glu Hospitality receive the compensation they deserve, fostering a respectful and sustainable work environment. Together, we can create change that not only benefits us now but also sets a precedent for fair labor practices in the restaurant industry.

I know there has been discussion about eliminating the Focus Health Stockton supply rooms (Stockton and Modesto offices). I am deeply concerned that eliminating the supply rooms will negatively impact patient care. As healthcare workers, we must advocate for our patients. There have been numerous occasions where supplies were not delivered to the patient or clinician on time. A trip to the office to grab an extra Foley catheter can prevent a delay in care for a patient. Focus Health Stockton employees are trusted with caring for patient lives, and we should therefore also be trusted to use the supply room diligently as a resource in times of need.

We, the staff of the Hogsett Administration, are coming forward with these demands because of the inaction from leadership in recent weeks. We are seeking accountability and transparency in regards to how leadership intends to reform the culture that has enabled abuse, sexual and otherwise. Many City-County job responsibilities are inherently stressful; it is our goal that all staff are safe from sexual harassment and all forms of inappropriate workplace behavior, so staff can focus their time and energy on helping Marion County residents. We are hopeful that the actions identified here can put an end to the harmful practices that so many of us have experienced firsthand. 

Let's stand together for a positive change.

We must fight the loss of career development for our colleagues.

The Arlington County Public Schools Career Center construction project is a $175 million dollar project yet the school board has no requirements that contractors pay decent wages, avoid wage theft, and provide decent jobs for our community.