United Center workers allege labor abuse, demand restaurant group follows law – NBC Chicago

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United Center food service and sanitation workers filed dozens of lawsuits against the venues concessionaire on Tuesday, alleging the company violated labor laws by making some employees work 35 days in a row.

A dozen workers employed by Levy Restaurants, a subsidiary of Compass Group, and members of Unite Here Local 1 picketed United Center, holding signs saying Levy will stop breaking the law and work too much and is underpaid .

A total of 24 separate allegations have been made against Levy. The workers filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Department of Labor and the City of Chicago Office of Labor Standards.

Among the complaints are allegations that Levy violated the One Day Rest in Seven Act, which requires a 24-hour rest period per week.

Jesus Flores, a dishwasher at the United Center, is one of the workers who alleges he was overwhelmed. He said he would like to spend more time at home with his 16-year-old daughter, but the company is making that impossible.

Many of us have suffered from depression and stress, said Flores, who has worked at the site for 20 years. I would like to have time for my family. Not having a day off isn’t fair, they weren’t machines, they were human beings. Compass Levy must obey the law.

Flores added that he wanted to work to support his family, but wanted more control over his schedule.

After alerting their manager to their rights, the dishwashers were granted the day off, which was only scheduled for 10 consecutive days, Unite HERE Local 1 said in a statement. Other workers also alleged that the company changed its schedule without notice.

A worker had scheduled a doctor’s appointment on his day off, November 15, but the day before he was informed that his day off had been changed to November 17. The employee ended up using a personal day to be able to make an appointment, according to the complaint.

The company also failed to post legally required postings informing workers of their rights under the law, the union said, and began illegally monitoring them when they spoke out against the terms.

They’re also fighting to get more people hired because otherwise they end up with a lot more work, said Cecilia Macias, who works in the kitchens at the United Center. They don’t have a day off and they are overworked. This can possibly lead to an accident.

Workers also filed complaints alleging the company changed several policies regarding uniforms, job assignments, lunch breaks and time off requests without giving the union a chance to negotiate.

In a comment provided by the union, Tawanda Murray, who works as an attendant for Levy at the United Center, said I had dedicated 28 years of my life to serving Bulls and Blackhawks fans. I’m proud of the work we do here at the United Center, but this abusive and law-breaking behavior by Levy must stop.

In a statement, the company said it appreciated the team members and recognized their right to peaceful protest.

We take such allegations very seriously and will immediately investigate such allegations, the company said. The well-being of our team members and continued compliance with the law are our top priorities.

Flores and Macias also said they would like to be paid more for the work they do.

Everything has to change, it’s just not right, said Flores.

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