Day Of Action Focuses On Wage Theft "Crime Wave"

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Employers who don’t pay their workers are breaking the law and should be prosecuted, said DC Mayor-Elect Vince Gray at a recent town hall. So workers and faith leaders are gathering at DC Metropolitan Police Headquarters at 9:30 this morning as part of the national Mobilization to Combat Wage Theft, organized by Interfaith Worker Justice to call attention to this “crime wave” and mobilize support for the various efforts to combat it, from national legislation to creative local initiatives. On Thursday, groups in more than 50 cities across the country will be taking action to stop wage theft. “This crime wave robs millions of workers of billions of dollars each year," says Arturo Griffiths, a day labor organizer with DC Jobs with Justice. "We demand that the DC Police and DC Government do more to protect workers.” The deepening economic crisis has also sparked an increase in wage theft, says Interfaith Worker Justice Executive Director Kim Bobo. "The National Day of Action Against Wage Theft Day will engage religious leaders, low-wage workers, community organizations, unions and allies in setting forth principles of justice and fairness, especially in rough economic times." Locally, event sponsors include Interfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington, DC Jobs with Justice, the Employment Justice Center, and the Kalmanowitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor. Today’s action starts at 9:30A in front of the Metropolitan Washington Police Headquarters, 300 Indiana Ave. NW.