Laundry Workers Center campaign for underpaid worker

The Laundry Workers Center launched a campaign on behalf of Salvador Pardo, a worker at a 99-cent retail store in East Orange, New Jersey, who is being paid less than minimum wage. After 18 years of wage theft and labor exploitation, he is demanding better working conditions for himself and his co-workers. 

In a powerful show of support, 50 people marched into the store where Pardo delivered a letter to the owner demanding to be paid minimum wage and respect for all the workers.

Rosanna Rodriguez, co-executive director of the Laundry Workers Center, told the store owner that it is illegal for him not to pay minimum wage and that he has 14 days to respond to the legal letter. She said he could not retaliate against Pardo for taking this action: “You can’t fire him, you can’t cut his hours,” because we are going to be here watching you.”

Supporters chanted “¡La clase obrera no tiene fronteras!” (The working class has no borders!), and “¡Si se puede!” (Yes you can!)

 – Report and photo by Brenda Ryan