CALIFORNIA – An investigation conducted by the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor found that operators of a gas station and convenience store, Fastrip, failed to adhere to the federal minimum wage or overtime rates for seven employees who worked over 40 hours per week, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Upon learning of the investigation, the employer attempted to interfere by instructing employees not to speak with investigators, offering bribes, forcing employees to sign blank time cards which the employer later altered and falsified, and attempting to intimidate employees by threatening to report their immigration status and visit or call family or friends.
The consent judgment orders Fastrip and Amrik Singh to pay $57,340 in minimum wage and overtime, an equal amount in liquidated damages, and $17,500 in compensatory damages to seven workers. Additionally, the court imposed a civil penalty of $4,655 on Fastrip for the violations committed.
“One of the priorities of the United States Department of Labor is to protect workers against the types of heinous and illegal acts taken by these employers to retaliate against employees and interfere with our investigation,” stated Regional Solicitor of Labor Marc Pilotin in San Francisco.
“Their despicable actions to conceal their deliberate efforts to deny vulnerable employees their deserved wages proved futile and costly.”
Jaco Oil Co. owns over 54 convenience stores branded as Fastrip Food Stores in Arizona and California, most of which are leased to independent operators.
The investigation into labor violations in California was conducted by the Sacramento District Office of the division, with the consent judgment ruled by the San Francisco Regional Office of the Solicitor.
