Loggy Gets Shafted, Bitches to The 'pist

000Ronald

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Mar 7, 2008
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[sub]or alternitively[/sub] Concerning The State of California and Slave Labor

Three guesses why I didn't use the second one.

So recently I got into the construction business; mostly digging holes. More recently, I've stopped going to work; I'm not going to rip apart my body every day with nothing to show for it.

Wait, let me elaborate. After months of searching and pulling a few favors, I managed to get a job. Sure, it's eight to ten hours of backbreaking physichal labor, sometimes twice a day, but it's better than doing nothing. And I'm getting money for it, which is more than most of the things I've done in my life.

Then payday comes around (tuesday, if you were curious) and I don't get paid. I kinda shrug it off, I can understand not getting paid for the first week, something may not have gotten through, ect, ect. Then a second week rolls around. Still nothing. I shrug it off again, most of the same things; besides, I'm a nice guy. By week three I'm asking the other guys about it; yeah, boss is apparently a dick, yeah, he hasn't paid a few people in weeks, yeah, if you ask the superiors about it, you'll get kicked. By week four, I've had enough, and I ask the chick who comes around giving us saftey lectues about it. She tells me she'll look into it. Next day I'm told not to come back to work. Oh yeah, and no money for your hard labor. Sorry.


Call me crazy, but this sounds a little...unfair? Maybe bordering on illegal. But mostly just dickheaded. It's not exaclty that I needed the money, as much as it is I had plans for it; my computer blew up, and I was planning on getting a new one. Plus some of my clothes are kind of...ripped into shreds. Tough work, to say the least.

So, topic time; Has anything like this happened to you, my fellow Escapists? If so, what did you do about it? I'm not going to sit around and do nothing, but I'm not sure what to do; a lawsuit would be nice, but realistically, it could cost me twice the $1200-$1500 I'm owed. And people, possibly friends I made on the job who I still talk to, would lose their jobs, too.

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this kind of thing.
 

Lazy Kitty

Evil
May 1, 2009
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Don't you have a union or something?

Also, if it's not just you not having been payed you could still get the lawsuit if you combine forces with the others who didn't get payed.
 

Cpt_Oblivious

Not Dead Yet
Jan 7, 2009
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I'd say try to get your money back for your month's work.

As for examples in my life that you wanted: I'm learning to drive right now and was doing quite well until my instructor went on "paternity leave". So, roll on my new instructor, I have an awful lesson and I'm all panicky and nervous about him for some reason. Anyway, roll on the next lesson and he says that he's disappointed in what my previous instructor had taught me (he's taken on other students from him too) and we're starting again. You heard it: starting all over again. So I ring up the company to complain and see what's going on, etc. Turns out my first instructor has "left". I don't know if he got fired or left because he'd get fired but he's gone. Apparently they weren't happy with his teaching style and other things so I basically have to redo the past 13+ hours of driving lessons which cost me (Well, my Dad) about £300. Pretty shitty really.

And in the past 2 lessons my confidence has been pretty much torn to shreds about driving and I'm considering giving up.
 

Aerodyamic

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Aug 14, 2009
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Rex Dark said:
Don't you have a union or something?

Also, if it's not just you not having been payed you could still get the lawsuit if you combine forces with the others who didn't get payed.
Many labor jobs don't have union representation, and labor jobs are consistently the worst protected by labor laws, unfortunately.

Generalization approaching
Many people that grow up outside of marginalized ethnic and economic groups don't typically pick heavy labor jobs, because they've had educational advantages that afford them 'better' options, and because heavy labor jobs are dirty, thankless, miserable jobs, mostly. I know, because I'm an industrial roofer; people treat me like some kind or retarded, slightly reformed criminal, with abuse habits and a tendency towards violence, because that's the standard demographic for roofers. What this really means is that people think they can pull the wool over my eyes a lot of the time, and I end up weaving that wool into a carpet, and yanking it out from under them, but a lot of people assume that laborers are idiots.

Then there's the fact that, because my job is officially a 'full-time seasonal position', I get much less protection from the labor laws, and I'd be surprised if most random heavy labor jobs are much better.

Still, it sucks to get shafted like that. Maybe you could contact the local labor board and see if they can give you some help, but that's only going to be helpful if you've kept a calender will your hours listed on it, daily. Other than that, I'm not familiar enough with California laws to be more help.
 

Bat Vader

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Mar 11, 2009
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Nothing like that has ever happened to me.

I would consider taking the company to court though. A boss has to pay his employees and getting fired for asking about to me is lawsuit worthy. I suppose you could contact the higher ups as well and see what is going on.
 

xDarc

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Feb 19, 2009
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department of labor. Find them near you.

Check this:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/HowToFileBOFEClaim.htm
 

Lord Krunk

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Mar 3, 2008
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Well, shit. I'd set up a law suit, call the police, ring up the Department of Fair Trading... anything, just to spite them. Because that's just the way I do things.

But serously, do something about it. That kind of shit can't go on.
 

APLovecraft

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Jan 13, 2010
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get your old work buddies together and do a joint law suit, thy couldn't possibly ignore that many people.....kinda like erin brocovich
 

000Ronald

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Mar 7, 2008
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APLovecraft said:
get your old work buddies together and do a joint law suit, thy couldn't possibly ignore that many people.....kinda like erin brocovich
My understanding is that most of the people that work for him are illegals. Sure, I could get them together and file a joint suit, but 3/4 of them would get shipped across the border, and the case would get thrown out.

I'm starting to think that there's realistically nothing I can do. Which really bums me out.

Apologies if it bums you out, too.
 

Angerwing

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Jun 1, 2009
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You could just say to the boss that if he doesn't give you the money he owes you, you'll sue. If he doesn't give you the money he owes you... sue.

Edit: Or just threaten the first. You have nothing to lose here.
 

000Ronald

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Mar 7, 2008
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Angerwing said:
You could just say to the boss that if he doesn't give you the money he owes you, you'll sue. If he doesn't give you the money he owes you... sue.
There's a very simple argument against that on the original post. It would cost me more money than I would get back, and it would cost me money I don't have.

I apreciate your imput, though.
 

UnkeptBiscuit

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Jun 25, 2009
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It doesn't matter how much it costs you, sue that guy on principle. Bastard like that doesn't deserve to have a job, let alone a managerial position. Besides, you can always make it a joint lawsuit, and sue for your lost paychecks, damages, and legal fees. That way your boss gets hit hard, and you don't have to worry about what it costs since it in all honesty will wind up turning you a profit. Of course, talk to your boss first, and only sue as a last resort. But man, does he have it coming.
 

WolfThomas

Man must have a code.
Dec 21, 2007
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Do you have any sort of tabloid current affairs program you could contact? They could spin your story out as the hardworking American underdog being screwed by a evil and corrupt business. It'd give a lot of bad press to the company, if you're lucky they may issue an apology, repay you and stop screwing other workers.