Western Mass. farm cited again for labor violations

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Boston Globe

By Megan Woolhouse

A Western Massachusetts farming operation, previously fined for underpaying and mistreating migrant workers, has been cited again by the US Department of Labor for similar wage violations and ordered to pay more than $80,000 in back wages and penalties.

Chang & Sons Enterprises Inc., a Whately farm that grows berries and bean sprouts for wholesalers and retailers across the Northeast, paid workers $5 an hour in cash, below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, Labor Department officials said.

“Chang & Sons Enterprises’ repeated disregard for the law and workers’ rights is inexcusable,” said Carlos Matos, a director in the Boston office of the department

Sidney Chang, owner of the farm, could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Alexander M. Olsen of Wagner Group in Boston, did not respond to a request for comment.

FULL story at link.


Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/02/19/western-mass-farm-cited-again-for-labor-violations/i2ShGN5OtSNGEAt2vP3OiM/story.html

[Wellstone ruled]

1. This is just the tip of the Iceberg

when it comes to Farming operations which requires stoop labor.

[old man 76]

2. Money is the reason

Why do you think the Republicans want to kill the immigration mandate. Undocumented workers take what they can get and keep their mouths shut.

[freebrew]

3. Maybe the fine needs to be much higher...

$80K doesn't seem to stop them. Maybe $800K would be more appropriate.