Media Advisory: Delivery and Restaurant Workers in Upscale Park Slope Neighborhood Working for Peanuts

• by New York State Department of Labor

ALBANY, NY (11/19/2009)(readMedia)-- "In the vibrant Park Slope neighborhood, filled with writers, activists, and growing families, we found that many of the bustling restaurants were staffed by workers who were paid grossly illegal wages. Today, on National Wage Theft Day, we continue to work for justice for these and other underpaid workers."

- State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith

Known for its beautiful public park, museum and high-end brownstones, the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn is an area of the city teeming with families, commerce and culture. In late April 2009, 16 investigators from the State Labor Department conducted a targeted wage and hour investigation of more than two dozen cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood and were disturbed by what they found.

On Thursday, November 19, a day when thousands across the country commemorate National Wage Theft Day, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith will be holding a press conference in the Park Slope neighborhood to detail the findings of this targeted investigation.

WHEN: Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 11 a.m.

WHERE: Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn

Corner of 5th Avenue and 3rd Street

WHO: State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith