Employers cheat and abuse low wage workers

September 1, 2009 8:00 PM

Employers regularly underpay, cheat, and otherwise abuse workers in low-wage, non-union positions, according to a recent study documenting the experiences of more than 4,300 low-wage workers in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

While conventional wisdom may have been that employer theft and abuse was the exception, this study reveals that employers are routinely stiffing low-wage employees out of overtime pay and coercing them out of filing for workers' compensation, among other violations.

In an editorial praising the study, the New York Times stated, "The report paints an acute picture of powerlessness .... Workers who complained ... or tried to form unions suffered illegal retaliation .... " Low-wage workers, which includes many of those in the service industry, are being cheated on a far higher rate than suspected, and unions are absolutely necessary to protect workers and put an end to employer abuse.

Greenhouse, Steven. Low-wage workers are often cheated, study says. NY Times, September 2, 2009.

Editorial: Workers in America, cheated. NY Times, September 3, 2009.

For the original report, click here.
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