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DCWP Announces Nearly $4 Million in Worker Relief From Four Major Businesses in Celebration of May Day
May 1, 2025
NEW YORK, NY – In celebration of May Day, New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced nearly $4 million in relief secured for workers from four major businesses to resolve violations of the City’s workplace laws: Pizza Hut franchisee Chaac Pizza Northeast, Halal Guys, Petco, and Starbucks. The companies will pay a combined $3.6 million in restitution to more than 2,160 workers, $362,000 in civil penalties and costs, and must comply with the law going forward. DCWP is also conducting a Day of Action, informing New Yorkers of their workplace rights and distributing the Workers’ Bill of Rights, a landmark, comprehensive, multilingual guide to local, state, and federal workplace laws.
“In recognizing May Day, we should all reflect on the progress New York City has made in advancing and safeguarding fair treatment for all in the workplace over the last few years, from providing a Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers to expanding Paid Safe and Sick leave to millions of New Yorkers,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “DCWP is committed to being a dedicated voice for all New Yorkers and ensuring that every worker is treated fairly and knows their rights—and that includes holding those accountable for violating our city’s workplace laws.”
Pizza Hut franchisee, Chaac Pizza Northeast, LLC, will pay nearly $3 million in restitution to more than 1,900 workers from 21 locations around the city and nearly $300,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that Chaac Pizza violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to provide schedules 14 days in advance, requiring workers to work additional hours with less than 14 days’ notice without advance written consent, failing to provide workers premium pay for changes made to their work schedules with less than 14 days’ notice, and failing to offer and award shifts to existing employees before hiring new employees. DCWP also found that Chaac Pizza violated the city’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law by failing to offer safe and sick leave.
Halal Guys will pay $409,000 in restitution to more than 120 workers from one location in Manhattan and $34,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that the company violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to provide workers with good faith estimates or regular schedules, failing to get workers’ consent before adding hours to their schedules, and failing to pay premium pay for schedule changes made with less than 14 days’ notice.
Petco will pay more than $286,000 in restitution to 71 workers from one location in Brooklyn and nearly $29,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that the company violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to get workers’ consent before adding hours to their schedule, canceling workers’ shifts with less than 72 hours’ notice, and failing to give workers their schedules 72 hours in advance.
Starbucks will pay more than $3,500 in restitution to a former employee who was wrongfully terminated in violation of the “just cause” protections of the city’s Fair Workweek Law. After receiving a complaint from the worker alleging wrongful termination, DCWP quickly launched an investigation and filed a lawsuit against Starbucks in March 2025. The company will also pay $500 in civil penalties and costs.
“As the former Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protect, I commend today’s announcement of nearly $4 million secured in relief for hardworking individuals who were victims of unfair business practices,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “On this May Day, we commemorate the sacrifices and achievements of workers who fought for fair and humane work hours and safe working conditions - something everyone deserves. New York City will continue to be a beacon for worker’s rights and today we honor those who came before us in our shared commitment to justice, respect, and fairness in the workplace."
“No company should ever believe they can take advantage of hardworking New Yorkers without consequences,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “When I authored New York City's Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, it was with the belief that every worker deserves dignity, respect, and protection. Today, DCWP continues that fight with incredible impact, even with limited staff and resources. I commend Commissioner Mayuga and her team for standing up to big corporations and ensuring that workers' rights are not just words on paper—they are backed by action."
“The NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, commends the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for securing nearly $4 million in relief for thousands of workers whose rights were violated under our city’s workplace laws,” said Vincent Alvarez, President of the NYC CLC. “On May Day, as we honor the contributions and struggles of working people, DCWP’s enforcement work is a clear reminder that every worker deserves a predictable schedule and the ability to use safe and sick leave to care for themselves or their families. We’re grateful for DCWP’s continued leadership in holding employers accountable and advancing dignity, fairness, and respect for all workers.”
“These victories are a powerful example of how government can work for workers. Workers fought tirelessly to win paid sick leave and fair scheduling protections in this city. We applaud DCWP for taking action to make sure these protections and rights are enforced, and that workers are made whole,” said John Santos, 32BJ SEIU Secretary Treasurer. “It’s a good thing to see millions of dollars sent to where it belongs, in hard working New Yorkers’ pockets. Let this be a May Day reminder: New York City is a city that stands up for workers and no company can come in here and think it can disrespect our laws and basic standards.”
“On May Day, when we recognize the tremendous sacrifices and victories by workers to create fairer workplaces across New York City and our country, it’s vital we remember that the fight still goes on to ensure those rights are upheld,” said Lynne Fox, President of Workers United. “Fast food workers are entitled to fair schedules and workplaces, as well as protected against arbitrary firings and layoffs. Our laws are only as strong as the commitment to enforce them against bad actors, and I commend Commissioner Mayuga and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) for their dedication to protecting in this latest round of enforcement actions.”
“We commend the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection on delivering $4 million in restitution to thousands of workers across the city. Ensuring workers are aware of their rights is critical and we strongly support the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s Day of Action to ensure people know their rights under The Workers' Bill of Rights,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). “As a union that fought for and won several key policies that protect workers in New York City, like Paid Sick Leave and the Fair Workweek Law, we know how important it is to educate workers about these rights in order to hold companies accountable.”
The Workers’ Bill of Rights — a multilingual and comprehensive guide to rights in the workplace in New York City — summarizes the laws that protect workers and job applicants in New York City, regardless of immigration status. The Workers’ Bill of Rights includes information on rights enforced by DCWP, like Paid Safe and Sick Leave, the Fair Workweek Law, the Temporary Schedule Change Law, and the city’s Delivery Worker Laws, as well as rights enforced by other state and federal agencies, like minimum wage and the right to organize. It also includes information about who to contact for more information or with questions, as well as how to file a complaint. Workers and employers can visit nyc.gov/Workers or call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside New York City) for more information about the laws that DCWP enforces or to file a complaint. Complaints can be filed anonymously. It is illegal to retaliate against workers for filing complaints.
DCWP’s cases were handled by Investigator Jimmy Kristrom, Lead Investigator Ryan McGuire, Supervising Investigator Alex Moran, Supervising Investigator Juana Abreu, Supervising Investigator Peter Donna, Director of Investigations Margot Finkel, Senior Staff Counsel Emily Whalen, Senior Staff Counsel Elizabeth Potter, Staff Counsel Marlee Belford, Senior Enforcement Counsel Morgan Everhart, Senior Enforcement Counsel John De Vito, Litigation Director Emily Hoffman, Data Scientist Amanda Gallear, Senior Data Scientist David Rauch, and Director of Data Science Elizabeth Major of DCWP’s Office of Labor Policy & Standards, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Wagoner.
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)—formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)—protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Media Contacts:
Michael Lanza / Stephany Vasquez Sanchez
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-0042
press@dcwp.nyc.gov