A major donor to Queens progressive workers — and the father-in-law of one of them — has been repeatedly accused by workers of defrauding them of their wages.
At least four former employees of Jong Hwan No’s meatpacking business and BBQ restaurant have sued him for wage theft since 2012, according to public records.
In one of two active cases, both filed in 2021, Jung Keun Kim, an employee at New York Meat Inc., said he regularly worked “12 hours a day and more than 72 hours a week.”
No, 56, “willfully violated the Fair Labor Standards Act” by refusing to pay her overtime pay, according to court papers.
In another active case, employee Ji Won Hong claimed he worked “7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., without any meaningful breaks.”
Meanwhile, No lavish campaign money for progressive lawmakers including his daughter-in-law, leftist Queen’s Councilor Julie Won – who has spoken of “exploited labor.” Excludes at least $17,250 to the Won City Council campaign fund during the 2021 and 2023 cycles.
Councilor Julie Won’s family has been repeatedly accused of salary theft. Stefan Jeremiah for the New York Post
In September 2021, X aired — while his family battles their workers in court — Won vows to fight for workers’ justice.
“Our city has failed to guarantee delivery workers a safe workplace or adequate wages. The city council must next take comprehensive measures to protect delivery workers, both physically and financially,” Won wrote.
Queens State Sen. John Liu — who has also been vocal about the need to protect workers cheated out of wages for city jobs — has received at least $6,800 from No between 2008 and 2014, city records show.
State Assemblyman Ron Kim has taken thousands of dollars from Jong Hwan No. David McGlynn
Queens Assemblyman Ron Kim, who also considers himself a champion of labor, has received at least $8,850 from No, either directly or as in-kind contributions from his businesses.
“When you steal from Asian immigrant women workers, there is no justice,” Kim said sigh in September 2022.
We need to “start listening to the workers on the ground who are fighting for their back wages,” he said added in April.
State Sen. John Liu has also received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Jong Hwan No. AP
Jong Hwan No denied the court’s allegations.
“During COVID, our darkest hour, they went and joined my competition and now they are attacking me. That’s what they did,” he said.
Won’s campaign treasurer Peter Hom said he was “not aware of or involved in running Mr No’s small business, and to suggest otherwise is absurd.”
Representatives for Liu and Kim did not respond to requests for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
