Calor, App Preventing Heat Illness for Farm Workers, Featured in Apple App Store

October 8, 2018

SHAFTER, Calif., Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On Sunday, October 7, Apple demonstrated its Apple Watch heath based capabilities by featuring “Calor”, a new app aimed at protecting rural farm workers toiling in summer fields picking the nation’s fruits and vegetables.

Faith Florez testing Calor app in the fields.

Calor, conceptualized and created by 18-year-old Faith Florez, alerts farm workers about their health in hot weather. From 1992 through 2016, exposure to excessive environmental heat killed 783 U.S. workers and injured over 69,000 workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Farm workers are especially vulnerable because they are often poor and are afraid to take the breaks for water and shade that they are entitled to.

Calor helps protect workers with an Apple Watch app that alerts them of weather conditions and when to hydrate and take legally mandated breaks. It allows workers to receive notifications with educational videos about what to wear, eat, and drink to prepare for a shift in the fields. The app also functions as an emergency hotline to 911 if a worker is in need of medical assistance in often remote fields.

This app is the first project of the Latina Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization founded by Florez, to empower young women to address social justice issues in Latino communities. In 2017, Florez was named a national HERLead Fellow, allowing access to initial funding for Spanish and English language videos. Florez also worked with a team of student developers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering to code the original concept app.

Florez spent her childhood in Shafter, California, a small farming community in the Central Valley. The USC freshman is descended from farm workers, and her great-grandmother died of heat illness.

“Being able to create Calor is meaningful for me and my family. I have always heard about the dangers in the fields from my elders, and my great-grandma paid the ultimate sacrifice for her work. I want to make sure that other families don’t have to endure that pain and that workers do not have to sacrifice their health for their work,” Florez said.

Florez has raised over $60,000 to launch Calor, and the funds raised were used to partner with FocusMotion to develop a unique, qualified methodology for tracking farm worker health and activity, creating an efficient solution that benefits both the farmers and the workers. Calor has been piloted on three farms in California’s Central Valley.

LINK: https://calorapp.org/

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765616/Latina_Legacy_Foundation_Faith_Florez.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765617/Latina_Legacy_Foundation_Calor_App.jpg

Calor App poster

SOURCE Latina Legacy Foundation

Colgate® Optic White® to Bring High Impact Smiles to Hispanicize LA 2018

October 8, 2018

Hispanicize_Press_Release

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Latinx trendsetters will discover the science behind Colgate® Optic White®’s line of whitening products at Hispanicize LA, taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City from October 11-13, 2018. During this cultural event, Colgate® Optic White® will show attendees how the unique toothpaste formula works to whiten teeth, and provide the opportunity to meet YouTube and Instagram beauty expert Laura Sanchez to maintain their smile style and actor and singer Vadhir Derbez to keep everyone smiling.

Now in its 9th year, Hispanicize 2018 is the largest event for Latino trendsetters and newsmakers in digital content creation, journalism, marketing, entertainment and tech entrepreneurship. This year’s Hispanicize LA “Hispanic Heritage” edition will celebrate the spirit of being Latino and serve as a forum for launching marketing and social media trends. Colgate® Optic White® will join a variety of consumer brands at the conference looking to engage and capture the attention of the Latino market.

Everyone knows ordinary whitening toothpastes don’t always deliver the results you want or expect, but Colgate® Optic White® High Impact White® toothpaste is not ordinary. It contains hydrogen peroxide that goes below the tooth surface to deeply whiten. The Colgate® Optic White® booth will show the science behind the whitening products within the brand’s repertoire through an on-site demonstration, interactive elements and a unique photo opportunity for attendees to capture their Sonrisa Colgate.

“Colgate Optic White is thrilled to be part of this year’s Hispanicize LA event,” said Bill Van de Graaf, Vice President and General Manager, North America Oral Care Marketing at Colgate-Palmolive. “We’re always looking to connect with people who are celebrating their culture and finding new reasons to smile.”

Follow the conversation from Hispanicize LA at @SonrisaColgate on Twitter and @Colgate on Instagram, and follow Laura Sanchez at @laura_makeup and Vadhir Derbez at @vadhird.

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom’s of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet and Hill’s Ideal Balance. For more information about Colgate’s global business, visit the Company’s web site at colgatepalmolive.com. To learn more about Colgate’s global oral health education program, Bright Smiles, Bright Futures™, please visit colgatebsbf.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765639/Hispanicize_Press_Release.jpg

SOURCE Colgate-Palmolive

“The U.S. Mail Is Not For Sale”

October 8, 2018

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — United States Postal Service employees, joined by community supporters who oppose selling off the Postal Service to a private corporation, will rally at 140 sites across the nation on Monday, Oct 8. Among them are rallies scheduled for Chicago and Philadelphia that will include several members of Congress and a Washington, D.C. rally on Freedom Plaza, two blocks from the White House. Click here for a list of rallies.

Participants in Monday’s event, who will be carrying signs reading “the U.S. mail is not for sale,” are sounding an alarm against a proposal – announced in June by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – to privatize the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The White House’s blueprint to “reform” government services claims – with no evidence – that the USPS “can no longer support” the current universal service requirement that requires daily mail delivery, six days a week, to 157 million U.S. addresses. Additionally, the report previewed likely recommendations from a presidential task force that would include selling off the USPS. The task force report that was due on the president’s desk August 10 has not yet been released.

Left unsaid is that any selloff would lead to both higher prices and service cutbacks for customers. When the United Kingdom privatized postal services for example, rates rose 80 percent and many post office branches were closed.

“We’re not waiting to see the task force report. The administration has already indicated where they’re headed,” American Postal Workers Union President Mark Dimondstein said. “Private companies are going to raid the precious resources of the people’s Postal Service, which has only grown more valuable due to the growth of ecommerce. Then these companies are going to raise prices, cut service and leave rural communities isolated, senior citizens stranded and many businesses without a reliable means of reaching their customers.”

According to a Pew Research Center poll conducted earlier this year, the Post Office gets the highest ratings of any major government agency, with 88 percent of Americans expressing satisfaction.

“We’re grateful for the strong support for a vital, public U.S. Postal Service,” National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando said. “We’re going to ask all candidates for the House and Senate – incumbent or challenger, Republican, Democrat or Independent – where they stand on this issue. Are you with the people, standing up for quality service, strong communities and good jobs? Or are you with the privatizers, who will raise prices, cut service and hurt residents and communities across the country?”

Opposition is mounting in Congress to selling off a service that has such strong public support across party lines. A majority of the House of Representatives, 219 members from both sides of the aisle, are co-sponsoring a House resolution calling for the USPS to remain “an independent establishment of the Federal Government… not subject to privatization.” And a Senate resolution already has a near-majority.

The Postal Service, which is based in the Constitution, delivers 40 percent of the world’s mail without receiving a dime in taxpayer dollars.

SOURCE National Association of Letter Carriers

FALL BACK IN LOVE WITH YOUR HOME THIS AUTUMN!

October 8, 2018

NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As temperatures cool and the dog days of summer become a distant memory, it’s time to pull out your fall checklist. Spring isn’t the only ideal time for a home spruce up. Tackling some household chores before the days get shorter will ensure you’re ready for the cold days ahead and prevent some unwelcomed surprises next spring. While this can seem like a stressful undertaking, creating an autumn home makeover plan is easier than you think. DIY and design expert Martin Amado has made a career of helping people fall in love (and back in love) with their homes and he’s sharing his tips to help homeowners brave their own DIY fall updates and winter preparations.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/83848241-design-expert-tips-for-your-home-this-autumn/

Safety first: Did you know that three in five home fire deaths are the result of fires in homes without smoke alarms, or with no working smoke alarms? Often times this is due to missing alarm batteries from intentional device deactivation. Fire Prevention Month in October is the perfect time to take stock of your home’s safety by testing alarms to ensure that batteries and devices are functioning properly. Replace any alarms that are outdated and install new alarms in your home—which should be located on every level and in every bedroom of the home. The First Alert 10-Year Smoke Alarm (PRC710v) is a low-profile, combination photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm that features a sealed, 10-year battery that eliminates the need to replace the batteries for the life of the alarm and can be programmed to give voice alerts to indicate the type and location of detected threat.
Refresh: Give rooms a facelift by switching out the old carpeting. Opt for a hypoallergenic option to help you enjoy the comfort of the carpet, while not worrying about its allergens, microbes and odors. HOMEFresh, it’s the world’s first and only hypoallergenic and odor-neutralizing carpet. It is welcome news for anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies, or for people who want a cleaner home. It’s 100% hypoallergenic and mold and mildew resistant, so dust and allergens are vacuumed easier. Plus, a natural mineral is infused into the carpet’s fibers to help neutralize household odors from pets, smoking and cooking. Its exclusively sold at Empire Today.
Mind your peepers: Short and frigid days mean we’ll be spending a lot more time indoors. Switch to lightbulbs that are easy on the eyes because poor quality light can cause unnecessary eye strain. With Philips LEDs with a warm glow dimming effect, you can create the perfect ambiance without sacrificing the quality of your light and while enjoying the energy-savings of LEDs. The more you dim the bulbs, the warmer the light becomes, similar to the tones of incandescent light bulbs. They are also designed to meet specific quality criteria, so they are comfortable for your eyes as you dim from the highest setting to the lowest. Making simple décor improvements and taking better care of yourself is as easy as changing a light bulb.
Cozy corner: Keep your house cozy during the long, cold months ahead. Have a basket with comfy throws and blankets for those colder nights and curl up with a book or a movie. Also, to keep the kids entertained, the all-new Fire HD 8 Kids Edition gives kids freedom to explore, while giving parents peace of mind knowing that what their kids are viewing is age-appropriate. It is the latest version of Amazon’s best-selling kids tablet and comes with a kid-proof case, 2-year worry-free guarantee, and one-year subscription to FreeTime Unlimited, giving kids access to thousands of kid-friendly books, videos, educational apps, and games in both Spanish and English. Plus with FreeTime parental controls, parents can manage settings such as setting time limits, adjusting age filters, and more. All for $129.99

For more great tips please visit betterstuffforlife.com

SOURCE MultiVu

New Cookbook from Celebrity Chef Ingrid Hoffmann and the ADA Gives Your Favorite Latin Comfort Foods a Diabetes-Friendly Makeover

October 8, 2018

MIAMI, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Whether you’re Latino or not, chances are you have a special place in your heart for the delicious foods of the culture. From hearty stews, to savory rice-and-beans dishes, to creamy guacamole, these familiar flavors signify comfort and tradition. But if you have diabetes, you may think you have to avoid these traditional comfort foods. Not true, says celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann—and to prove it, she has partnered with the American Diabetes Association to write a new cookbook full of healthier versions of beloved Latin dishes.

“Traditionally prepared Latin foods tend to be carb heavy, deep fried, and full of salt and fat,” says Hoffmann, cooking personality and author of Latin Comfort Foods Made Healthy: More Than 100 Diabetes-Friendly Latin Favorites. “This is a major concern for people with diabetes or prediabetes. But you don’t have to say goodbye to your favorite flavors just try their healthier easy-to-prepare versions instead!”

Diabetes is an urgent problem in the Hispanic/Latin communities. 12.8 percent of Hispanic adults in the United States live with diabetes. With a focus on pure and clean ingredients and staying within the guidelines of the ADA, Hoffmann has transformed traditional Latin favorites into nutritious, diabetes-friendly meals.

Not only has Hoffmann developed healthful and delicious versions of traditional Latin comfort foods, she really practices what she preaches. A self-described “Lupus warrior,” Hoffmann has experienced firsthand the healing power of food. Her research led her to embrace an alkaline diet that allowed her to get off her medications and live a happy, active, and delicioso life. The recipes in Latin Comfort Foods Made Healthy demonstrate Hoffmann’s philosophy of easy, simple recipes with a healthy twist. In the book, you’ll find a variety of popular Latin dishes, including oatmeal arepas breakfast bread, exciting appetizers such as corn and cheese phyllo empanadas, cucumber guacamole, filling soups including Colombian chicken ajiaco, green chile pork posole, and beef sancocho.

The book includes sweet treats like Mexican chocolate cookies and much more!

More information
Dream Team Agency
[email protected]

SOURCE Ingrid Hoffmann

Ismael Cala Foundation and Westfield Business School will grant MBA scholarships to students from the USA and Latin America

October 7, 2018

MIAMI, Oct. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Ismael Cala Foundation (ICF) and Westfield Business School (WBS), have partnered to help our youth in developing their highest potential by providing new scholarships to Hispanic professionals from Florida, in the USA. This is part of the many projects that will originate from this successful teamwork agreement signed last April.

Last Tuesday, at the end of the second round of competition, Ismael Cala gave away seven MBA and Executive MBA scholarships to Hispanics residing in Florida, and they are 90% financed.

At the same time, a third competition is coming soon, created to assist four organizations allied to the ICF in Latin America: World Vision (Mexico), Fundación Jean Maggi (Argentina), Aprendo & Emprendo (Venezuela) and Junior Achievement (Honduras). Five MBA scholarships and an equal number of Executive MBA scholarships were awarded, financed up to 75%, this will enable winners to identify opportunities, create innovative projects, and face challenges in a constantly evolving corporate environment.

The Ismael Cala Foundation aims to bring support to disadvantaged children, teenagers and youngsters from the Latin American and Hispanic communities in the USA. The main goal is to give them a chance to become educated leaders, emotionally balanced and with a great willingness to succeed in life. To achieve its mission, the ICF has created several programs, including Channeling Scholarships, in partnership with educational institutions, companies and other social development organizations that serve the same purpose.

Westfield Business School is positioned as a Global Business School that offers MBA and Executive MBA programs fully in Spanish and partially online. WBS connects its students and graduates to the world through strategic alliances with the Munich Business School, Alcalá Global School, Ivey Business School of Western University, Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University, and the Polytechnic University of Madrid. WBS is also deeply committed to improving the lives of its students.

“We do not want to train directors in the same way that traditional business schools do; we want to train human beings to be able to lead successful and profitable businesses that have a positive impact on the environment and on the community,” WBS’ President, Carlos Mazo, said.

SOURCE Cala Enterprises

Consult an Eye Care Professional if Your Halloween Costume Includes Scary Eyes

October 5, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Creepy costume lenses might add a spine-tingling thrill to your Halloween costume, but wearing costume contact lenses without a prescription can lead to serious eye infections or permanent vision loss. Decorative lenses are medical devices, not costume jewelry. They must be prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional, just like regular contact lenses. That’s why the American Academy of Ophthalmology is urging people to buy decorative contact lenses only from retailers who require a prescription and sell FDA-approved products.

A poorly fitted contact lens can easily scrape the cornea, the outer layer of the eye, making the eye more vulnerable to infection-causing bacteria and viruses. Sometimes scarring from an infection is so bad, a corneal transplant is required to restore vision. The most extreme cases can end in blindness.

Although it is illegal to sell non-prescription contact lenses, they are available at costume shops, gas stations, corner shops, and online. Research shows that people who purchase contacts without a prescription face a 16-fold increased risk of developing an infection.¹

Mamie Gaye, 19, is one of those people. She wanted blue eyes, so she purchased a pair of colored contact lenses at her local beauty shop in Cleveland. There was no indication on the package that she needed a prescription. After wearing them for about a week, her eyes were red, burning, and sensitive to light. She had to go to the emergency room just to get them removed. She was terrified that she was going blind. Fortunately, the scratch on her eyes healed after a few days of treatment with antibiotic eye drops.

“My advice to friends is to never buy contact lenses without a prescription, no matter how beautiful you think they will make you,” Gaye said. “It’s not worth it.”

The Academy offers the following tips to help ensure your Halloween costume won’t haunt you long after Oct. 31:

See an eye care professional to get a prescription for costume contact lenses. Packaging that claims “one size fits all” or “no need to see an eye doctor” is false. Get properly fitted by an ophthalmologist (physicians and surgeons who specialize in medical and surgical eye care) or optometrist (healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care).
Properly care for contact lenses. Even if you have a prescription for contact lenses, proper care remains essential. Watch this video to learn the eight steps to protect your eyes from contact lens infections.
Never share contacts. Pink eye isn’t a good look, even for a costume. Sharing contacts can spread germs, causing conditions such as pink eye, which is highly contagious.
Spread the word to others about the dangers of costume contacts. Don’t let friends make the mistake of wearing costume contacts without a prescription.

“The FDA oversees the safety and effectiveness of all contact lenses because they are a medical device, even the ghoulish ones people wear on Halloween,” said Thomas L. Steinemann, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “It’s important that you use only FDA-approved lenses prescribed for your eyes.”

Find more information about eye health and how to protect your eyes on the Academy’s EyeSmart website.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart^®program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.

¹ Sauer, A., & Bourcier, T. 2011. Microbial keratitis as a foreseeable complication of cosmetic contact lenses: A prospective study. Acta Ophthalmologica 89 5, pp. e439-e422. DOI:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.02120.x

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/287412/american_academy_of_ophthalmology_Logo.jpg

SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology

3D-Printed Implants Successful in Foot and Ankle Surgery

October 5, 2018

American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society logo.

ROSEMONT, Illinois, Oct. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — According to a new study published in Foot & Ankle International (FAI), advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing have allowed foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to use custom-made implants for difficult foot and ankle cases. The implants offer a new approach to treat complex lower extremity pain and deformities.

Researchers at Duke University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery studied 15 patients who received custom 3D-printed titanium implants between 2014 and 2016 to treat poor bone quality, bone loss, and deformity. In each case, the implants were initially developed by obtaining a computed tomography (CT) scan of the patient and uploading the data to a software program that allowed 3D manipulation of the bones and joints. From there, the senior surgeon and company engineers designed and approved the implant. The benefits of 3D-printed implants include unlimited shapes, increased options in size, and less morbidity or complications.

“This is the first case series looking at the use of 3D-printed implants in foot and ankle surgery,” said Samuel B. Adams, MD, director of foot and ankle research at Duke University Medical Center and senior author of the study. “This short-term study is also the first to demonstrate improvement in patient-reported outcomes with the use of 3D-printed implants. The injuries of many of the patients treated in this study would have required an amputation without this technology.”

CT scans showed that the custom 3D-printed titanium implants were successful in 13 of 15 of the patients who took part in the study. The patients with successful outcomes reported significant improvement in pain and stated they would undergo the same procedure again to save their foot or ankle.

The authors of the study suggest that 3D printing could revolutionize medical care, specifically in modeling for medical education and creating custom artificial body parts. The study notes that longer-term follow-up is needed to understand the longevity and potential complications of these 3D-printed implants.

“The future of 3D printing is very bright. Surgeons who may have been skeptical about using this technology can now use this data to make an informed decision about using it to improve patient care,” said Dr. Adams.

The study, “Use of Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Titanium Implants for Complex Foot and Ankle Limb Salvage, Deformity Correction, and Arthrodesis Procedures,” appears in the August 2018 issue of Foot & Ankle International, the official journal of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS). FAI is published by SAGE Journals. Author conflicts of interest and funding information are provided within the study.

About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consists of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma.

About the AOFAS
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes. For more information visit the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society online at aofas.org.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/328804/american_orthopaedic_foot___ankle_society.jpg

SOURCE American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society

Bird Takes Flight in Latin America

October 5, 2018

VENICE, Calif., Oct. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Bird, the leader in Rideshare 2.0, today announced it is expanding into Latin America. The company launched a program in Mexico City that will allow millions of residents to opt for Bird’s clean, shared e-scooters instead of short car trips that create congestion and harmful emissions. Bird also announced it will expand its operations to Brazil.

With more than twenty million people living in the metropolitan area, Mexico City residents suffer from some of the worst congestion and pollution in the world. Daily commute speeds average 5-7 miles per hour due to automobile traffic, and daily commute times can reach up to 2.5 hours. With Bird’s clean energy Bird e-scooters, residents can easily and efficiently travel to and from work, university, and around the City without battling traffic or increasing emissions.

“We look forward to bringing Bird as a transportation alternative to the people of Mexico City who want a clean and equitable way to travel about their incredible city,” said Bird CEO and Founder, Travis VanderZanden. “Following our launch in Mexico City, we will provide other cities throughout Latin America access to Bird so that they can join the millions of people who have already traded in short car trips for clean ride sharing.”

Since introducing shared e-scooters as a clean transportation alternative in September 2017, Bird has expanded into more than 100 communities globally, has prevented more than 12 million pounds of carbon emissions from being released into the air, decreased congestion in city centers, and made parking more accessible. Starting today, Bird will be available to individuals 18 and older in Mexico City’s La Condesa, Nápoles, Polanco and Reforma neighborhoods. Birds will be collected each evening for charging and maintenance to help keep the City’s sidewalks clean and safe and to generate financial resources for residents.

Riders interested in finding a Bird near them can download the app and sign up at www.bird.co

About Bird

Bird is a last-mile electric vehicle sharing company dedicated to bringing affordable, environmentally friendly transportation solutions to communities across the world. It provides a fleet of shared electric scooters that can be accessed via smartphone. Birds give people looking to take a short journey across town or down that “last-mile” from the subway or bus to their destination a way to do so that does not pollute the air or add to traffic. Bird works closely with the cities in which it operates so that Bird is a reliable and affordable transportation option for people who live and work there. Founded in 2017 by transportation pioneer Travis VanderZanden, Bird is headquartered in Venice, Calif., and is rapidly expanding across the country. Follow Bird on Instagram (www.instagram.com/bird), on Twitter at @BirdRide, and find more information at www.bird.co.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/659765/Bird_Rides_Logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Bird

Labor Commissioner Cites Three Southern California Restaurants Over $1 Million for Wage Theft

October 5, 2018

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Labor Commissioner’s Office has cited three restaurants in Southern California $1,065,646 for wage theft violations owed to 22 workers. Most of the workers were paid less than $5 an hour and regularly worked more than 10 hours a day with no meal or rest breaks.

“These conditions—long hours with no breaks and subminimum wages—are classic examples of wage theft, and employers who make their profit by breaking the law will be held accountable,” said Labor Commissioner Julie A Su.

Sanamluang Cafe in North Hollywood was cited $833,707, with $708,457 payable to nine workers and $125,250 in civil penalties. Money due to the workers includes minimum and overtime wages, liquidated damages, waiting time penalties and meal and rest period premiums.
Orchid Thai Cuisine in Arcadia was cited $407,883, with $307,133 payable to 11 workers and $100,750 in civil penalties. Money due to the workers includes minimum and overtime wages, split shift premiums, liquidated damages, waiting time penalties and meal and rest period premiums.
Orchid Thai in Baldwin Park was cited $85,856, with $50,056 payable to two workers and $35,800 in civil penalties. Money due to workers includes minimum and overtime wages, split shift premiums, liquidated damages, waiting time penalties and rest period premiums.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office launched the investigation at Sanamluang Cafe in August 2017. Workers were represented by the Thai Community Development Center and Bet Tzedek Legal Services. Investigators determined that owners Surapong and Viriya Chinotaikul paid their workers a flat rate of $50 for a 10 to 11.5 hour shift each day with no meal or rest breaks. Even after investigators met with the owners to address the violations, the employer failed to comply with labor laws. As a result, additional penalties were assessed to recover the underpayments through April 2018. Snamluang Thaifood, Inc. DBA Sanamluang Cafe and its owners Viriya Chinotaikul and Surapong Chinotaikul are jointly and severally liable for the citations levied.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office launched an investigation last July into Orchid Thai and Orchid Thai Cuisine after receiving complaints from workers who had reported underpayment of wages to civil rights group Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles. Investigators discovered that both restaurants paid their workers a flat rate of $45 to $50 a day for shifts of up to 10 hours, ordered workers to prepare for the day and clean up afterwards off the clock and did not pay them split shift premiums as required by law.

Orchid Thai Cuisine and Orchid Thai restaurant are both owned by Chakri, Revedee, Chavin, Charlene and Chanica Veranunt, who formed separate corporations for each of the restaurants, CTV Food, Inc. for Orchid Thai Cuisine, and C.LO Foods, Inc. for Orchid Thai. The corporations and each individual owner are jointly and severally liable for the citations at the respective restaurants.

“Organizations like the Thai Community Development Center, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles play an important role in enforcement by helping workers come forward and tell their story,” added Labor Commissioner Su. “We are grateful for their bringing these cases to our attention.”

Enforcement investigations typically include a payroll audit of the previous three years to determine minimum wage, overtime and other labor law violations, and calculate payments owed and penalties due. Civil penalties collected are transferred to the State’s General Fund as required by law.

When workers are paid less than minimum wage, they are entitled to liquidated damages that equal the amount of underpaid wages plus interest. Waiting time penalties are imposed when the employer intentionally fails to pay all wages due to the employee at the time of separation. This penalty is calculated by taking the employee’s daily rate of pay and multiplying it by the number of days the employee was not paid, up to a maximum of 30 days.

Most workers in California must receive a paid 10-minute rest period for every four hours worked. If workers do not receive rest breaks as required by Industrial Welfare Commission orders for their occupation, the employer must pay one hour of pay at the worker’s regular pay rate for each workday that the break is not provided, and civil penalties of $50 per worker per pay period for the initial violation, which increases to $100 each for subsequent violations.

The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, or the Labor Commissioner’s Office, is the division within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) with wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities including adjudicating wage claims, inspecting workplaces for wage and hour violations, investigating retaliation complaints and educating the public on labor laws.

In 2014, Labor Commissioner Su launched the Wage Theft is a Crime multilingual public awareness campaign. The campaign defines wage theft and informs workers of their rights and the resources available to them to recover unpaid wages or report other labor law violations.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734).

Members of the press may contact Erika Monterroza or Paola Laverde at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR’s press releases or other departmental updates.

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR’s Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR
https://twitter.com/CA_DIR
http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR
http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1

SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations; California Labor Commissioner’s Office

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