Toyota to Collaborate with the American Center for Mobility

July 31, 2017

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and the Toyota Research Institute (TRI) announced today their intent to support the American Center for Mobility (ACM) as a Founder-level sponsor with a $5 million contribution.

As an ACM contributor, Toyota will be a member of a government-industry team which supports ACM initiatives to create a large-scale test environment in Southeast Michigan where various companies can test their Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies. Toyota believes the creation of this unique test environment will help support the development acceleration of innovative CAV technologies, because it allows technologies testing under a safe and controlled environment.

Toyota believes this initiative will foster further innovation through collaboration with government and academic partners. Toyota hopes that ACM serves as a catalyst for safer and more efficient transportation solutions with vehicles equipped with advanced CAV technologies.

“We are excited to be the first automaker joining this effort to create a test ground for advanced vehicle technologies in our backyard,” said Jeff Makarewicz, Group Vice President Safety and Vehicle Performance at TMNA Research & Development Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. “Together with industry and government partners, we would like to set a direction to realize connected and automated vehicles to help improve safety and mobility.”

“As we move forward with the development of autonomous cars, we must remember that not all test miles are created equal,” said Gill Pratt, CEO of Toyota Research Institute. “The road to creating a car as safe, or safer, than a human driver will require billions of test miles including simulation, real-world driving on public roads, and closed-course testing where we can expose our systems to extreme circumstances and conditions. The new ACM closed-course facility is a significant step forward in this journey and will accelerate our ability to help prevent crashes and save lives.”

“I’m excited about our collaboration with Toyota,” said John Maddox, President and CEO of the American Center for Mobility at Willow Run. “Today’s announcement is another example of Toyota’s forward-looking vision and ability to move quickly on developing this potentially beneficial connected and automated technology.”

“Toyota’s long history of research and development in Michigan is impressive, as is their continuing commitment to this state and its people,” said Governor Rick Snyder. “Thanks to Toyota’s collaboration with ACM, Michigan can continue to maintain its momentum as a global leader in the ever-expanding transition from being the automotive capital to being the mobility capital.”

“Toyota deserves our thanks and praise for this significant investment in the American Center for Mobility,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan. “This is not only an investment in ACM, but is another strong sign that Michigan continues to lead the way in the future of mobility and innovation. Toyota has long been a responsible corporate partner in Michigan and this is yet another example of their commitment to our state and our workers.”

About Toyota Motor North America
Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA), headquartered in Plano, Texas, brings together Toyota’s marketing, sales, engineering and manufacturing arms in North America. It is wholly owned by Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 33 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 46,000 people (more than 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold almost 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.45 million in the U.S.) in 2016 – and about 85 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.

Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to assist more people move more places. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

About Toyota Research Institute
Toyota Research Institute is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor North America under the direction of Dr. Gill Pratt. The company, established in 2015, aims to strengthen Toyota’s research structure and has four initial mandates: 1) enhance the safety of automobiles, 2) increase access to cars to those who otherwise cannot drive, 3) translate Toyota’s expertise in creating products for outdoor mobility into products for indoor mobility, and 4) accelerate scientific discovery by applying techniques from artificial intelligence and machine learning. TRI is based in the United States, with offices in Los Altos, Calif., Cambridge, Mass., and Ann Arbor, Mich. For more information about TRI, please visit www.tri.global.

About The American Center for Mobility
The American Center for Mobility is a non-profit testing, education and product development facility for future mobility, designed to enable safe validation and self-certification of connected and automated vehicle technology, and to accelerate the development of voluntary standards. ACM is part of the Planet M collaborative that represents Michigan’s unique infrastructure and leading role in transforming how people and goods are transported. Planet M members include public-private partnerships and collaborative programs with the common goal of positively contributing to the reinvention of the transportation industry. To learn more about ACM, please visit www.acmwillowrun.org.

Media Contacts:

Brian R. Lyons
Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications
Toyota Motor North America
[email protected]
(469) 292-3573

John Hanson
Director, Communications & Public Affairs
Toyota Research Institute
[email protected]
(657) 331-1291

American Center for Mobility Media Contact:
Jenni Omness
(248) 203-8142
[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/439685/Toyota_Corp_Red_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

AXE® “Clears the Air” on Confusion Between Body Sprays and Dry Sprays

July 31, 2017

0

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, New Jersey, July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — According to research, 64% of young guys think body spray and antiperspirant dry sprays are the same thing*. Fact check – they’re not. With 1 in 2 guys thinking that they should apply body spray to their underarms,* enough is enough! AXE wants to clear the air on the right ways to spray.

Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11sA19KCxL8&spfreload=5

Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/540651/AXE_Gold_AP_Dry_Spray.jpg

Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/540653/AXE_YOU_Body_Spray.jpg

Logo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/540652/AXE_Logo.jpg

So, first things first – body spray. What does it do and how should you use it? Look closely at the package, and you’ll notice it’s called “Daily Fragrance” (a.k.a. body spray).

In other words, body spray has super powers – and with great power comes great responsibility. Spray responsibly and help keep the air clear. No need to blast the whole can at once. Simply “throw a 7 on it,” meaning a quick spray in the shape of a “7” across your chest and stomach for as long as it takes to say the word “AXE” (and not “AAAAAAAAXE”). Trust us, your crush, classmates, teachers, janitors, bus drivers, lockers, bookbags, and even the flies in the cafeteria will respect your subtle freshness.

Okay, so then what is dry spray? Officially known as “AXE Antiperspirant Dry Spray,” it goes under your armpits to keep you dry for up to 48 hours. Use it just like you would an antiperspirant stick. It’s your personal fullback blocking the sweat before it reaches the skin.

To help spread the word, AXE enlisted YouTube comedian and musician Rudy Mancuso, and rapper Kap G to show guys everywhere how to #sprayresponsibly. Ahead of the new school year, Rudy and Kap G – along with Miles Hampton, Zack Naegeli, Skyler Seymour and Joe May – will take to their social channels with new, exclusive content to help guys stay fresh and dry on the daily.

“From stressing over exams to sweating in gym class, AXE knows young guys need a little help to stay fresh and dry,” said Dawn Hedgepeth, Senior Director of U.S. Deodorants & Male Grooming, Unilever. “As it turns out, they also need help figuring out the best way to use AXE sprays. We’re excited to be working with such an influential group of guys, who will help us ‘clear the air’ with their millions of followers as they head back to school.”

In addition to learning how to spray from our influencers, check out the latest AXE commercial that showcases the right way to spray. To learn more about AXE and its products, visit www.axe.com and follow AXE on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. And be sure to join the #sprayresponsibly conversation on social.

*Ipsos Body Spray Drivers and Barriers, 2017 or Ipsos, 2017

PRESS CONTACT
Matt Kochis
[email protected]
(212) 704-4506

About AXE^®
AXE, the No. 1 men’s fragrance brand in the world*, champions individuality and self-expression by encouraging guys to embrace their personal style. With a full line of grooming products including daily fragrance sprays, deodorants, anti-perspirants, shower gels, shampoos and styling products, AXE gives guys the tools to express what makes them unique, authentic and ultimately attractive to the world around them. Visit AXE at AXE.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook to get access to exclusive content, special promotions, and more.

*Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2015ed, Men’s Deodorants & Mass and Premium Men’s Fragrances retail value sales combined, as per umbrella brand name classification, 2014; Lynx includes all AXE/Lynx/Ego sales

About Unilever United States, Inc.
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home Care, Personal Care and Refreshment products with sales in more than 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a day. In the United States, the portfolio includes brand icons such as Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Caress, Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy, Country Crock, Degree, Dollar Shave Club, Dove, Good Humor, Hellmann’s, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond’s, Popsicle, Promise, Q-tips, Seventh Generation, Simple, St. Ives, Suave, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TIGI, TONI&GUY, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.
Unilever employs approximately 8,000 people in the United States – generating more than $9 billion in sales in 2016.

The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan commits to:

Helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being by 2020.
Halving the environmental impact of our products by 2030.
Enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.

Unilever ranked number one in its sector on the 2016 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit: www.unileverusa.com
To connect with Unilever U.S. via Facebook visit: www.facebook.com/unileverusa
To connect with Unilever U.S. via Twitter follow: @unileverusa

SOURCE AXE

Pelmorex Weather Networks Announces Launch of CLIMA USA

July 31, 2017

0

– The company exports the successful Eltiempo.es model, leader in digital weather information support in Spain with 9 million multiplatform unique users

– CLIMA USA, available for web and app for Android and IOS, is currently one of the most comprehensive weather services with forecasts for 500,000 locations worldwide and 60,000 for the United States and Latin America combined

MEXICO CITY, July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Pelmorex Weather Networks launches CLIMA USA, a digital weather service in Spanish for U.S. users. CLIMA USA joins Pelmorex Weather Networks’ wide-ranging offer in America and rest of the world.

The company has exported the success of Eltiempo.es, leader in digital weather information support in Spain with 9 million multiplatform unique users.

CLIMA USA offers timely detailed information, 14 days of weather forecasts and several weather maps.

With forecasts for 500,000 locations worldwide and 60,000 for the United States and Latin America combined, users of www.clima.com/estados-unidos and the CLIMA APP (Android and IOS) will find it easy to navigate through weather colors and icons that facilitate access to all weather information.

“We are very pleased to offer valuable and relevant weather information for people in the United States,” said Carlos Astorqui, managing director of CLIMA. “We are proud to deliver the best weather information to help people plan their day.”

“CLIMA USA has reached another milestone on our path to offering the most complete weather information for different platforms and in the most reliable way,” said Pierre Morrissette, President and CEO of Pelmorex Corp., parent company of Pelmorex Weather Networks.

CLIMA USA is available at www.clima.com/estados-unidos and Google Play / Apple Stores.

Pelmorex Weather Networks, a division of Pelmorex Corp., is the leading international provider of weather-related information services. It has operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, India and Australia under the brands The Weather Network, MétéoMédia, Eltiempo.es, Clima and Wetterplus.de. Weather Networks and its French counterpart MétéoMédia are Canada’s most popular weather and information services on TV and web and mobile apps. Eltiempo.es is Spain’s leading provider of multiplatform weather information.

Pelmorex Corp. is an international company that offers information networks and data solutions to consumers, advertisers and companies. It has operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, India and Australia.

Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/540208/Pelmorex_Weather_Networks_CLIMA.jpg

SOURCE Pelmorex Weather Networks

If You Own The Copyright For A Musical Composition Available On Spotify, You May Be Entitled To Benefits Through A Class Action Settlement

July 31, 2017

0

SEATTLE, July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The following statement is being issued by GCG regarding Ferrick et al., v. Spotify USA Inc.

LEGAL NOTICE

If you own a copyright that has been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office (or for which an application of registration has been filed) for a musical composition that was made available on Spotify’s service for interactive streaming and/or limited downloading between December 28, 2012 and June 29, 2017, and you contend that Spotify did so without a license, your rights may be affected by a proposed class action settlement, and you may be eligible to receive benefits from a class action settlement. If the court approves the settlement, Spotify will:

pay $43.45 million into a Settlement Fund;
pay all Settlement Administration Costs and Notice Costs, which the Settlement Administrator has estimated will exceed $1 million;
pay mechanical license royalties calculated in accordance with 37 C.F.R. §§ 385.10-17 for future use of musical compositions;
establish a Mechanical Licensing Committee that would aim to increase the percentage of tracks available on Spotify’s service that can be matched to a registered copyright owner; and
coordinate industry efforts to share publisher catalog data to facilitate the mechanical licensing of content on streaming services and digitize pre-1978 Copyright Records and make them available online for free use by the public.

This notice summarizes your rights and options. More details and information can be found at www.SpotifyPublishingSettlement.com.

What’s this about? A settlement has been reached in the class action Ferrick v. Spotify USA Inc., No. 1:16-cv-8412 (AJN). The plaintiffs contend that Spotify made certain musical compositions available on its service without a license. Spotify denies any wrongdoing. The parties have agreed to a settlement to avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with further litigation of the case. The Court has not decided whether the plaintiffs or Spotify is right.

Am I a class member? It depends. The Settlement Class consists of all persons or entities who own copyrights in one or more musical compositions (a) for which a certificate of registration has been issued or applied for; and (b) that were made available by Spotify for interactive streaming and/or limited downloading during the class period (December 28, 2012 through June 29, 2017) without a license. Excluded are (i) Spotify and its affiliates, employees, and counsel; (ii) governmental entities; (iii) the Court; (iv) persons and entities who in 2016 executed a Participating Publisher Pending and Unmatched Usage Agreement in connection with the Pending and Unmatched Usage Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2016, between Spotify and the National Music Publishers’ Association, or any other person or entity who has agreed not to bring a claim against Spotify in this lawsuit; and (v) any person or entity who has already provided Spotify with a release with respect to claims concerning musical compositions for which a certificate of registration has been issued or applied for, but the exclusion applies solely with respect to such released claims.

What can I get? If the settlement is approved by the Court and you submit a timely, valid claim form, you will be an authorized claimant and entitled to receive a payment from the settlement fund ($43,450,000, less deduction for attorneys’ fees and certain expenses). Authorized claimants will receive a minimum pro rata payment from a fixed portion of the net settlement fund. Depending upon the number of streams of your qualifying musical compositions (through the preliminary approval date), you will also receive a pro rata share of the net settlement fund determined by dividing the total number of streams of your qualifying musical compositions by the total number of streams of all qualifying musical compositions. You will also receive payment of future mechanical royalties calculated using the statutory rate. Spotify will also provide nonmonetary benefits to class members, such as by taking steps to facilitate payment of royalties for unmatched works.

How do I get a payment? You must submit a timely and properly completed claim form no later than 210 days after the Settlement Claims Start Date. You may complete a claim form online at www.SpotifyPublishingSettlement.com. You may obtain payments for future royalties, but not a share of the settlement fund, by submitting a claim form after the Claim Deadline.

What are my other options? You may either remain part of the settlement class and potentially receive benefits, or you can exclude yourself and get no benefit from the Settlement. If you exclude yourself, you cannot get a settlement payment, but you keep any rights you may have to bring claims against Spotify over the allegations in the lawsuit. You may exclude yourself from the settlement class by sending a Request for Exclusion to the Settlement Administrator no later than September 12, 2017, addressed to: Ferrick v. Spotify USA Inc. c/o Garden City Group LLC, PO Box 10371, Dublin, OH 43017-5571. If you remain in the Settlement Class you (or your lawyer) have the right at your own expense to appear before the Court and/or object to the Settlement. If you object, you are not required to attend. Instructions for submitting a written objection by the deadline of September 12, 2017, are available at www.SpotifyPublishingSettlement.com.

Who represents me? The Court has appointed Class Representatives. The Court also has appointed lawyers from Gradstein & Marzano, P.C. and Susman Godfrey L.L.P. as Class Counsel for the Settlement Class. The Court will determine how much Class Counsel will be paid for fees and expenses. Class Counsel can seek an award for attorneys’ fees of $5,000,000 for, among other things, the future monetary and non-monetary benefits conferred, to be paid by Spotify and not from the Settlement Fund, and up to one-third of the Settlement Fund, plus reimbursement of expenses and incentive fees of up to $25,000 per Class Plaintiff, to be paid out of the Settlement Fund. You will not be responsible for payment of Class Counsel’s fees and expenses.

When will the Court consider the proposed settlement? The Court will hold a final approval hearing on December 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, Courtroom 906, 40 Foley Square, New York, NY 10007. At that hearing, the Court will determine the fairness of the settlement. If you file a timely objection and comply with the Court’s instructions for objections, you may appear at the hearing to explain your objection. If the hearing is relocated or rescheduled, the new location or date will be posted at www.SpotifyPublishingSettlement.com.

How do I get more information? You can visit www.SpotifyPublishingSettlement.com or contact the Settlement Administrator toll free at 1-855-474-3853.

SOURCE GCG

(Español) Por qué debe usar Internet para pagar los impuestos de bienes raíces

July 31, 2017

0

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Labor Commissioner’s Office Cites Two Towing Companies over $4.8 Million for Wage Theft Violations

July 28, 2017

0

SANTA ANA, California, July 26, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Labor Commissioner’s Office has cited two California towing companies in Anaheim and Oakland $4,874,661 for multiple wage theft violations affecting 187 workers including tow truck drivers, dispatchers and mechanics.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office last December launched an investigation into Irvine Auto Towing, Inc. dba Pride Towing and Recovery in Anaheim, and Yaco Investments Inc. dba Stride Towing and Recovery in Oakland, after a former worker at Pride Towing filed a wage claim and reported labor law violations. Noel Yaqo and his son Aram Yaco own and operate both towing companies through their corporations, Irvine Auto Towing, Inc. and Yaco Investments Inc.

Employees generally worked 12-hour shifts with no meal or rest breaks, and some worked seven days a week. Pride Towing typically paid workers $110 per day, resulting in an underpayment of regular wages, and Stride Towing failed to pay workers for all overtime hours worked. Drivers and mechanics also incurred unlawful deductions and were charged for uniforms and for any accidents or damages incurred while working in the field.

“This is an egregious case of wage theft affecting a large group of workers who were denied a just day’s pay and forced to work without meal or rest breaks,” said Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su. “My office enforces California’s labor laws to prevent employers from cheating workers as a means to gain an unfair advantage over their law-abiding competitors.”

The Labor Commissioner’s Office issued citations to Irvine Auto Towing, Inc. and Yaco Investments Inc. for violations of minimum wage, overtime and meal and rest period provisions for 129 workers at Pride Towing from June 15, 2014 to February 16, 2017, and for 58 workers at Stride Towing from August 15, 2015 to February 16, 2017. The citations include liquidated damages and waiting time penalties, as well as itemized wage statement violations. Both employers have appealed the citations.

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 fails to provide workers their final paycheck after 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.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office, officially known as the Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, adjudicates wage claims, investigates retaliation complaints, issues licenses and registrations for businesses, enforces prevailing wage rates and apprenticeship standards in public works projects, and educates the public on labor laws.

In 2014, Labor Commissioner Julie 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 Paola Laverde or Peter Melton 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 Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations

(Español) La FDA anuncia un plan de control integral para cambiar la trayectoria de las enfermedades y muertes a causa del tabaco

July 28, 2017

0

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) logo (PRNewsFoto/FDA)

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Statement of Stacey D. Stewart, President, March of Dimes on the defeat of health care reform legislation in the U.S. Senate

July 28, 2017

0

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The March of Dimes released the following statement from President Stacey D. Stewart regarding the defeat of health care reform legislation in the Senate overnight:

“The March of Dimes is profoundly relieved that a range of health care reform proposals have been rejected by the U.S. Senate over the past two days. We commend all the Senators who cast principled votes opposing policies that would have caused millions of Americans to lose coverage, and millions more to find themselves with more expensive, less adequate health plans that jeopardized their health and economic wellbeing.

“According to the Congressional Budget Office, the various proposals before the Senate would have caused millions of Americans to become uninsured. The March of Dimes estimated that, for Medicaid expansion rollback alone, up to 6.5 million women of childbearing age would have lost coverage. For millions more, pregnancy coverage would have become an expensive added charge, and out-of-pocket costs would have been unlimited. For many families, this would mean that a high-risk pregnancy or preterm baby needing weeks or months of neonatal intensive care could bankrupt them, or force them to make untenable choices between their health and financial viability. Clearly, these proposals would not have advanced our mission of ensuring that all women can have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

“Now the real work lies before us. The March of Dimes stands ready to work with all lawmakers to develop meaningful legislation that addresses the flaws in our health care system. We agree that our health care system and the laws that govern it are far from perfect, and many opportunities exist to find areas of common ground to make improvements. The March of Dimes hopes that real health care reform can arise from the ashes of last night’s vote.”

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.

For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. To participate in our annual signature fundraising event, visit marchforbabies.org. If you have been affected by prematurity or birth defects, visit our shareyourstory.org community to find comfort and support. For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit persistats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/513643/March_of_Dimes_Foundation_Logo.jpg

SOURCE March of Dimes

Labor Commissioner’s Office Recovers over $360,000 for Live-in Caregivers in Wage Theft Case

July 28, 2017

0

OAKLAND, California, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Labor Commissioner’s Office announced today that two workers from residential care facility owner Alexen Corporation were paid $360,139 for wage theft violations including underpaid wages, overtime, meal periods and accrued interest.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539907/CA_DIR_Wage_Photo.jpg

The two caregivers, who worked at facilities in Antioch and San Lorenzo for adults with developmental disabilities, filed wage claims in December 2014 and March 2015 alleging they were owed $84,308 and $106,488, respectively. Following a 2015 hearing, the Labor Commissioner’s Office awarded the workers $118,676 and $195,448 because years of being paid a daily rate for their 24-hour shifts resulted in underpaid regular wages and no overtime pay. The workers were required to be on duty through their meal breaks and were denied uninterrupted sleep periods when working overnight.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office recovered the unpaid wages plus interest after submitting judgments to the Contra Costa County Superior Court and placing a bank levy on Alexen Corporation’s account. The division’s ability to issue bank levies directly was authorized by Governor Brown in 2016 with the passage of SB 588 (De León).

“California is at the forefront of the fight against wage theft, giving the Labor Commissioner tools to punish recalcitrant employers who steal their workers’ wages and refuse to pay even after the workers file a claim and win,” said Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su. “We are using those tools to put more unpaid wages into workers’ pockets.”

SB 588, which went into effect on January 1, 2016, adds sections to the Labor Code that allow the Labor Commissioner’s Office to enforce judgments against an employer arising from the nonpayment of wages.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office is authorized to directly issue notices of levies on employers’ property to banks and third parties, and hold that property until the judgement is satisfied.

The workers were awarded $180,106 in underpaid regular wages and unpaid overtime, $86,009 in liquidated damages, $34,832 in interest, $13,177 in additional wages, and $46,015 in accrued post-judgment interest.

Workers paid less than minimum wage are entitled to liquidated damages that equal the amount of underpaid wages plus interest. Additional wages are calculated pursuant to Labor Code section 203 as a penalty when an employer fails to pay any wages of an employee who is discharged or who quits.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office, officially known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, is a division of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Among its wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner’s Office inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, adjudicates wage claims, investigates retaliation complaints and educates the public on labor laws.

In 2014, 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 Peter Melton 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 Communications 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, Labor Commissioner’s Office

Cal/OSHA Issues Statement on Ohio Amusement Ride Accident: All Fire Ball Rides in California Have Been Voluntarily Shut Down

July 28, 2017

0

OAKLAND, California, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Cal/OSHA today released the following statement affirming that amusement ride owners have voluntarily shut down the six Fire Ball rides in California parks, after a fatal ride malfunction on the Fire Ball in Columbus, at the Ohio State Fair.

Cal/OSHA’s Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit contacted owners Wednesday evening after receiving notification of the accident in Ohio, asking that owners close the rides pending word from the manufacturers, KMG or Chance Morgan, Inc./ Chance Rides, Inc., or after a ride inspection by Cal/OSHA. All of the rides have been voluntarily shut down by the owners.

Fire Ball rides are located at six parks across the state, including:

Orange County Fair owned and operated by Ray Cammack Shows (portable ride)
Cal Expo State Fair owned and operated by Butler Amusements (portable ride)
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
California’s Great America in Santa Clara
Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park
Belmont Park in San Diego

Cal/OSHA protects and improves the safety of passengers riding on elevators, amusement rides, and tramways. Additional information on requirements for portable and permanent amusement rides in California, including inspection and issuance of permits, is detailed online.

Members of the press may contact Erika Monterroza or Peter Melton 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 Communications 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, Cal/OSHA