Transcript of WORT 89.9 7-2-2007 Interview on Nuestro Patio
-As we continue in “Nuestro Patio”, we remind you that our number is 256-2001 and please call us to comment on how you like the program, if you like it or not or if you have any news. We remember that news is what happens to us in our life. Call us 256-2001. Surely, many people will call after our next interview. It is a controversy that is happening here in Madison in the Latino community with the restaurant La Hacienda that is located on Park Street. Can you tell us something about this matter Mario?
Mario: Of course. Here in “Nuestro Patio”, we had the opportunity of conducting an interview with two workers, more accurately two former workers of la Hacienda because they have quit. Like we said earlier, for reasons of mistreatment and not receiving their salaries nor payment for overtime. We will turn to the interview where they will share with us their experience. We want to stress that the names used in the interview, upon request of those interviewed are false.
-Here in “Nuestro Patio” we have an interview with Edwin, and we want to say that “Edwin” in a pseudonym used, for the comfort of the interviewee. Edwin please tell us, what is the situation that you are facing at the restaurant La Hacienda?
- What happened is that I was working there and in two and a half years everything was going well but the last four or five months they didn’t pay me well and they didn’t want to pay me anymore. Last week when I left they didn’t want to pay me and……………………….. This is my problem
-Very well, and is this situation one that is happening only to you?
-No, not only to me. To all my friends who are still working there now. This is ___________, it’s a _________ treatment, and they don’t pay us well.
-could you tell us how many hours you work? And what kind of work you do?
-I would go in at 5:30 in the afternoon until 6:00 in the morning when the restaurant closed. But on weekends, like this one, Fridays and Saturdays, we arrived at 6:00 in the afternoon and left at 4:00 when the restaurant closed. But in order to clean we came at 5:30 in the morning and for all of this time they didn’t pay us, and hour and a half or more and they didn’t pay us anything.
-Did you try to speak with the owner or the manager of the restaurant?
-Of course. I spoke with him. He told me that they did in fact pay me. He said that……………………….
-Edwin and now what are all of you doing now to…?
-I am telling him that I want him to pay me for all of the overtime.
-And do you have any idea how much money it is?
-No, I don’t have any idea but I think , I know that it is a lot of money.
-What is your ____________ to the community right now?
-………………………………………………………
-Are there a lot of people who have left?
-Yes, there are a lot of people who have left because of this, for bad payment and for other reasons, they definitely don’t treat their employees well…………………………………………
-Many members of the Latino community go to eat there but also many other people in the community. What do you want them to know?
-That they pay attention to what the restaurant is, the treatment, how they are served, all of that.
-And I understand that there is someone else here with you.
-Yes
-Is Laurita here with you or not.
-Yes, she’s here.
-To Carlos now, who has also been given a false name for security purposes. Good afternoon Carlos, Welcome to the program so please…
-I am a former worker of la Hacienda. I am protesting because they are not going to pay me for my “overtime” hours and my horas libres at la Hacienda. You work 12 hours and they pay you for 8. And the owner of La Hacienda threatens us by mail and …………………………………………. All the time that we were there we never did anything to him until the moment that we left. Well, we demanded our money for our work that we had already done.
-Of course. And approximately when did this situation begin?
-You can’t _________. There’s the moment that _____________ no one says it because they all feel threatened. ______________________________
-And is there some idea for example one year, six months, two months?
-About two years I think
-Very well. What are all of you asking of the community right now to support this situation?
-To not dine at La Hacienda for the way they treat their employees, ways that human beings should not be treated.
-Could you tell us a little bit about the treatment given?
-Bad treatment. They don’t give you an eating schedule, they don’t give you a half an hour break. He doesn’t give you food you want but rather what he wants you to eat. If he says that you will eat an egg, an egg it is. If you work there, this is the treatment you receive, and are poorly paid.
-And approximately how many people are in the same position?
-Right now, we are six. But I think that those that are working there now are in the same situation also.
-Of course. But they haven’t dared to leave their jobs.
-No, they haven’t dared to leave the job.
-I understand that this Saturday, July 7th from 11:30-1:00 in the afternoon you are going to be there, at the restaurant.
-We will be protesting. If members of the community want to join us on this day we will be waiting for them.
-Thank you Carlos for your time.
-This is the situation in Madison. Latinos exploiting Latinos. What a sad situation, no?
-This is something like ________________, it is something that reaches an agreement and this agreement stayed ___________ and from there doesn’t apply. There is no written paperwork, no contract, no way to clarify these problems.
-Of course for the well being of the community and more than anything, that the workers can find a resolution where justice prevails. But not justice of those that have money but rather justice justice.
-Yes, not the justice of he who can hire a lawyer but rather of he who is protected and lives in the shadow.
-Very well then, from the studios of WORT 89.9. Our solidarity with those workers and for all those how are going to speak up against and report their employers.
-Our phone number is 256-2001 for all those interested in calling us to speak out about this particular case or any other abuse in their workplace. This is the mission of this radio station, To give to those who don’t have access to mass media.
-You can also contact the Worker Rights Center that is located on Park Street. Phone number: 255-0376
-Without doubt we will continue tracking this case and all of the employment cases that are unfortunately occurring very frequently in the city, and in whole country, and in the world.