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NEWS & LETTERS, March-April 2010
Stolen wages
Horn Lake, Miss.--On Feb. 19, 25 Memphis-area workers and supporters gathered at 11:30 AM in front of El Patron Mexican restaurant here to protest a $16,000 wage theft. Waiter Jorge Panuco worked full-time and overtime at El Patron over a course of 14 months to go home with only his cash tips. The restaurant withheld not only wages but also credit card tips, a total of more than $16,000.
The picket, organized by the Memphis-based Workers' Interfaith Network (WIN), called for a stop to wage theft and a boycott of El Patron until Jorge's pay is refunded or a payment plan is worked out. Throughout the lunchtime rush, we passed out hundreds of leaflets detailing this case to potential customers and customers leaving the restaurant.
Demonstrators witnessed customers pull in to the turn lane, slow down, look at the picket, and then continue on to another restaurant. Police arrived a number of times and, though hostile and aggressive towards the picket and WIN spokespeople, did not attempt to disrupt us. Representatives of El Patron came out to discuss the picket with spokespeople and organizers.
This informal negotiation offered no concrete settlement. Negotiators from WIN had attempted to negotiate with management, but, after Friday's picket, Jorge and WIN expect negotiations to begin.
--Ceylon
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