“Goon Squad” Forces Employees To Work Mayor’s Events For Free
Edison, NJ – Councilman Rich Brescher has filed a complaint with the Department of Labor alleging that the township administration is forcing Department of Public Works (DPW) employees to work overtime without pay, in violation of state wage and labor laws.
The complaint stems from a text message sent by management to employees, which was provided to Councilman Brescher. The text message, which references an agreement made when employees were hired, states that DPW workers are required to “volunteer” to work Mayor Joshi’s Santa Parade and Parade of Lights. The text message also states they are expected to work from 3 pm to 8 pm.
“This is bs, the Goon Squad threatens our jobs and forces us to work the Mayor’s events for free” said one DPW employee who could only speak on the condition of anonymity due to township regulations. “Then they come back and try to shake us down for money every time the Mayor has a fundraiser, it’s like we’re in the Sopranos.”
“This is a clear violation of state law,” said Councilman Brescher. “Employees are entitled to be paid for all hours worked, including overtime. Forcing employees to work without pay is not only illegal, but it is also unfair and exploiting the hard working men and woman in our Department of Public Works. We can not force our employees to work an event for the Mayor for free because they are afraid of losing their job, it’s just wrong.”
Councilman Brescher said he is calling on the Department of Labor to investigate the matter and take appropriate action to try and shield the effected employees from retaliation. He is also calling on the township administration to immediately cease and desist from forcing employees to work without pay.
“This is a serious matter and it is not the first time it has happened. I brought this to the administrations attention two months ago and nothing has been done” said Councilman Brescher. “Mayor Joshi continues to use his surrogates to bully and strong arm employees to work his events for free and it needs to stop. He brought four cops to Chicago for the DNC convention on a political vacation and paid them, but our DPW workers who make a fraction of their salary are expected to work for free, not on my watch. I will not tolerate any violations of state law or employee rights.”
The text message that sparked the complaint reads as follows:
“Saturday, as agreed to when you were hired, we are volunteering to do the Santa Parade and Parade of Lights. We have all met at 3pm and it goes to 8pm. No excuses. (Name redacted) and I are getting food for everyone at the event.”
This text message raises several concerns. First, it suggests that employees are required to work Mayor Joshi’s Santa Parade and Parade of Lights as a condition of their employment. Second, it states that employees will not be paid for their time, even though they are required to work outside of their normal hours. Third, it uses the term “volunteering” to describe work that is clearly mandatory.
Councilman Brescher is hopeful that the Department of Labor will take swift action to address this matter. He is also calling on the township administration to take steps to ensure that all employees are aware of their rights and that they are not forced to work without pay.
“I am confident that the Department of Labor will investigate this matter thoroughly,” said Councilman Brescher. “I am also hopeful that the township administration will take steps to correct this injustice.”
