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 Printer-Friendly Version
ESA-WHD New Release: [06/26/1996]
Contact Name: Brad Mitchell or Deirdré Zongker
Phone Number: (312) 353-6976
Release Number: V-247
ALEXANDRIA BUSINESS ASSESSED $7,750 PENALTY FOR ALLEGED CHILD LABOR VIOLATIONS AND PAYS $13,254 IN OVERTIME BACK WAGES
Chicago — Old Broadway Food and Spirits, 319 Broadway, Alexandria, Minn., has been assessed $7,750 in civil money penalties for alleged child labor violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In addition, the firm has paid $13,254 in overtime back wages to 28 low-wage employees.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division alleged that a total of six minors were employed in violation of the child labor regulations. Two of the minors used an electric slicer to slice meats and vegetables and three of the minors operated or cleaned a power-driven mixer to grind meats and mix dressings, occupations prohibited to persons under 18 due to the hazards inherent in the work.
The firm also allegedly employed one 13-year-old and one 15- year-old in violation of the hours and time standards of the child labor laws. The two children worked as late as midnight, as many as 6.5 hours on a school day, and as many as 24.5 hours in a school week. In addition, the 13-year-old was employed in violation of the minimum age for employment of 14.
The firm has 15 working days to file a letter of exception with the department, explaining why the alleged violations did not occur. The matter then is referred to the Chief Administrative Law Judge in Washington, D.C., for a formal hearing.
The FLSA is the federal wage and hour law. It sets the federal minimum wage at $4.25 per hour and requires that most employees be paid overtime at one and one-half the regular rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 40 per week.
The child labor regulations of the FLSA detail the hours and times children under 16 may work. They may work no later than 7:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day). They may work no more than three hours on school days and eight hours on nonschool days and no more than 18 hours during school weeks and 40 hours during nonschool weeks.
The child labor regulations also prohibit certain occupations or jobs from persons under 18 due to the hazards inherent in the work. The regulations set further employment standards for children under 16.
An investigation of the firm covering the period April 1994 through April 1996 was conducted by the Wage and Hour District Office, 220 S. Second St., Minneapolis, under the supervision of Denise Scharlemann, district director.
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This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (312) 353-6976; TDD Message Referral: 1-800-800-4571.
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