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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by David Colodny, Managing Attorney for the Workers' Rights Program at Catholic Migration Services
2:39:11
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David Colodny testified in support of renewing and expanding the Low Wage Worker Support Initiative, highlighting the importance of legal services for low-wage workers. He shared examples of successful cases where Catholic Migration Services helped workers recover unpaid wages and overtime.
- CMS represented five workers from Midtown Manhattan dim sum restaurants, recovering $185,000 in a settlement for unpaid minimum wage and overtime.
- They assisted two workers from a Brooklyn bagel shop, obtaining a $165,000 settlement.
- Colodny emphasized the role of worker centers, citing a case where 250 workers at Rikers Island will receive over $1,000,000 in a settlement for wage theft and kickbacks.
- He requested an increase in funding for the Low Wage Worker Support Initiative from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 per year.
David Colodny
2:39:11
Good afternoon, chairman and and members of the committee.
2:39:13
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of the renewal and expansion of the low wage worker support initiative.
2:39:20
My name is David Kalodny.
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I'm the managing attorney for the workers' rights program at Catholic Migration Services.
2:39:25
Catholic Migration Services provides free legal services in the areas of immigration, tenants' rights, and workers' rights.
2:39:33
I'd like to share some stories of CMS clients to illustrate the working additions that low wage workers face and how workers benefit from the low wage worker support initiative.
2:39:45
First, our office recently represented five workers employed by three Midtown Manhattan dim sum restaurants.
2:39:51
Our clients worked twelve hour shifts, five or six days per week and received hourly wages ranging between $3.20 and $6.52, well below the minimum wage and without overtime.
2:40:06
We filed a case in federal district court in Manhattan and ultimately recovered a settlement of $185,000 for our clients.
2:40:15
We also recently assisted two workers who had worked at a Brooklyn bagel shop working as much as sixty eight hours per week, and obtained a settlement for them of $165,000 I'd also like to share an example of a case that highlights the important role worker centers play.
2:40:33
A couple years ago, several workers from a commercial cleaning contractor at Rikers Island went to a worker center called New Immigrant Community Empowerment in Jackson Heights, the workers, were not only not receiving a prevailing wage, but they also were required to, kick back a portion of their wages, to their supervisors between hundred and $200 per week typically out of their wages.
2:41:00
We advocated to the New York attorney general's office to open a criminal investigation, which they did, and that ultimately, resulted in a settlement, where 250 workers will spend
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2:41:12
Time expired.
Zade Haobsh
2:41:13
Thank slightly
David Colodny
2:41:14
over $1,000,000.
2:41:16
So, we thank you for your consideration of the Low Wage Worker Support Initiative and ask you, increase funding from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 per year.
2:41:25
Thank you.