Bay Area Subway Owners Ordered to Pay $1M for Underpaying Teen Workers, Shut Down Locations

Children as young as 14 were directed to use dangerous equipment at Bay Area Subways. The owners must pay them $1 million for back wages and damages.
The owners didn't pay employees regularly, issued hundreds of bad checks, and stole their tips illegally.
The court ordered the owners to shut down their 14 Bay Area Subway locations by November 27.
Owners John and Jessica Meza interfered with the investigation and coerced employees.
The Mezas and associate Hamza Ayesh threatened employees and must pay $150,000 in penalties.

usatoday.com

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9/29/2023

Subway Franchise Owners Ordered to Pay $1M for Child Labor Abuses and Wage Theft

A federal court orders Subway franchise owners in California to pay almost $1 million in damages, sell or close their businesses, and give the sale proceeds to the Department of Labor due to labor violations, including underage workers operating dangerous machinery and non-payment of employees.