The Work

IN A LANDMARK EMPLOYMENT CASE:
CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT ISSUES DECISION BROADENING THE PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO CALIFORNIA WORKERS.

[Martinez, et al. v. Combs, et al, S121552, decision filed 5/20/10]

San Francisco, CA. On May 20, 2010 the California Supreme Court issued a decision broadening the protections afforded to California workers. The Court affirmed that workers can turn to the broad standards provided under long-standing Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) regulations to identify which employer is liable for unpaid minimum wages. The Court rejected the employers' attempts to limit the scope of the IWC power to common-law concepts.

This case advances the rights of California workers by embracing almost every legal argument asserted by the Plaintiffs. While the Plaintiffs did not win for themselves, they won a major victory for low wage workers everywhere. Talamantes Villegas & Carrera, LLP is proud to have partnered with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. in representing the farm workers in this important case.

Confidential
[August 2009]
Settlement of class action wage and hour matter -- $5,750,000.00

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Garcia, et al. v. Forza Management, LLC. (doing business as McDonalds of Monterey), County of Monterey, Superior Court No. M98240
Monterey County McDonalds Workers from Eight Restaurants File Class Action Lawsuit for Unpaid Hours, Unpaid Overtime, and Missed Breaks.

On Thursday, April 9, 2009, Talamantes Villegas Carrera, LLP along with co-counsel the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area file class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of Monterey (California) on behalf of four low-wage former McDonald's restaurant workers against eight McDonald's restaurants located in Monterey County for unpaid minimum wage and overtime, denied rest and meal breaks and for failure to provide correct wage statements. The lawsuit was filed against Sanal, Inc., Hofco, Inc., Forza Management, LLC, Lan-Gin LLC, Lan-Gin, Inc., Hofsway, Inc. and other to-be-identified defendants, a group of companies apparently controlled by Landon Hofman.

The employees named in the lawsuit seek to recover unpaid wages, penalties, and interest on behalf of themselves and all current and former non-exempt employees of the restaurants. They also seek injunctive relief that would require the McDonalds franchises included in the lawsuit to comply with wage and hour laws now and in the future.

If you have any questions about the McDonalds complaint, or wish to consult with us about your experience with McDonalds, please click here to send us a confidential email or call our office at (415) 989-8000.

Gamboa, et al. v. NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, (doing business as NeilMed), County of Santa Rosa, Superior Court No. SCV 245231
Workers File Class Action Lawsuit for Unpaid Hours, Unpaid Overtime, and Missed Breaks.

On Friday, June 5, 2009, Talamantes Villegas Carrera, LLP, along with co-counsel Sundeen, Salinas and Pyle of Oakland, California, filed a class action lawsuit in the Superior Court, County of Sonoma (California) on behalf of two Latino low-wage workers against their former employer, Neilmed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Neilmed"), located in Sonoma County for unpaid minimum wage, overtime, failure to provide correct wage statements, failure to reimburse business expenses, and unpaid vacation and bonus benefits.

The employees named in the lawsuit seek to recover unpaid wages, penalties, interest, reimbursal of work-related expenses, vacation, and bonus benefits on behalf of themselves and all current and former employees of Neilmed. They also seek injunctive relief that would require Neilmed to comply with wage and hour laws now and in the future.

If you have any questions about the NeilMed complaint, or wish to consult with us about your experience with NeilMed, Please click here to send us a confidential email, or call our office at (415) 989-8000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juarez, et al. v. Jani-King of California Inc, et al., U.S. District Court (N.D. Cal.) No. CV09-03495 SC
On June 29, 2009, Talamantes Villegas Carrera, LLP, along with co-counsel The Sturdevant Law Firm  and the Boston firm of Lichten & Liss-Riordan, P.C. filed a class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of Alameda County (California) against Jani-King, a multinational commercial cleaning company based in Texas with regional offices throughout California. The suit, which is now pending in federal district court in San Francisco, was brought by four janitorial workers who were lured into spending thousands of dollars on purported cleaning "franchises" in order to do janitorial work for Jani-Kings customers, and charges that the company has engaged in unlawful, fraudulent and unfair conduct in marketing, promoting, selling and operating these "franchises". Plaintiffs are also challenging Jani-King's misclassification of them and other California franchisees as "independent contractors".  Click here to read our press release about the complaint.

If you have any questions about the Jani-King complaint, or wish to consult with us about your experience with Jani-King of California, please click here to send us a confidential email, or call our office at (415) 989-8000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dairy Workers benefit from $1,275,000 settlement. Bravo, et al. v Bosman Dairy, et al, Tulare County Superior Court Case No. 07-225487
[March 20 2009]
The Tulare County Superior Court Judge Hon. Melinda Reed granted preliminary approval to a $1,275,000.00 class action settlement in a case brought on behalf of dairy workers employed at Bosman and Meadowlake Dairies in Tipton, California. The dairy workers complained that they were paid salary wages rather than for all hours worked. The dairy workers were also housed in deplorable farmworker housing. The California Labor Code mandates that all employees must be paid for all hours worked. Employers who flaunt these laws do so at the risk of not only having to pay back wages to their employees, but also face significant penalties, interest on unpaid wages and potentially steep attorneys' fees. TVC was proud to work with California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation in Sacramento and Willie E. Smith and Associates of Fresno as co-counsel in this litigation.

Confidential
[January 2009]
Settlement of discrimination and retaliation matter -- $973,000.00

Defendant ordered to pay $885,824.00 after trial in San Francisco Superior Court. Garcia v. Electrical Industry Service Bureau, et al., San Francisco County Superior Court Case No. CGC-06-454840.
[Attorneys' Fee Order, October 8, 2008]
[Jury Verdict, October 31, 2007]
A unanimous San Francisco jury found for plaintiff after a trial wherein the employer was found to have discriminated based on the employee's disability, retaliated against the employee, failed to prevent discrimination and failed to accommodate our client. The jury awarded Plaintiff Garcia $153,680.00 in lost wages and $200,000.00 in non-economic damages, totaling $353,680.00.  The court issued its fee order on October 8, 2008.  Talamantes/Villegas/Carrera, LLP co-counseled with the Law Offices of Richard Vaznaugh for the prevailing Plaintiff.

Closet installers benefit from $475,000 settlement. Favela, et al. v. More Than Closets, Inc., dba California Closets, et al., Marin County Superior Court Case No. CV-073279.
[September 10, 2008]
The Marin County Superior Court granted final approval to a $475,000 class action settlement in a case brought on behalf of installation workers employed at More Than Closets, Inc., a franchise of California Closets, in San Rafael, California.  Plaintiffs alleged that, during the period between July 2003 and January 2008, Defendants failed to pay them and other similarly situated workers the overtime wages they earned, failed to indemnify them for their work-related tool and equipment expenses, and failed to provide them with adequate meal periods, as required by California law.

Farmworkers recover $585,000.00 from Richard Bagdasarian, Inc. due to the failure to provide mandatory rest and meal breaks. The Court also issued an injunction against the farmer. Banda v. Bagdasarian, Inc., County of Riverside, Superior Court No. 029768
[April 29, 2008]
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Harold W. Hopp approved a workforce wide settlement in favor of farmworkers against Richard Bagdasarian, Inc. The farmworkers were denied mandatory rest and meal breaks when they labored under the sun in the Coachella Valley region of Riverside County. The $585,000.00 payment was break wage compensation for 82 days during the 2001 and 2002 harvest season. Against great odds, and multiple appeals before the appellate and California Supreme Court -- the farmworkers won. The Court also issude an injunction against the defendant. TVC is proud to have co-counseled with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. on this matter.

Confidential.
[March 2008]
Settlement on behalf of low wage workers who were not paid overtime for overtime hours worked -- $1,100,000.00.

Los Angeles County Superior Court approves class action settlement against the Closet Factory Inc. for $1,400,000.00. Court also approves an injunction which requires the employer to comply with the wage and hour laws of the State of California. Ramirez, et al. v. Closet Factory, Inc., et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. BC337089
[7/25/2007]
Hon. Joanne O'Donnell, Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County granted preliminary approval to a $1.4 million settlement reached with the operators of two Closet Factory facilities in Los Angeles and San Rafael, California to resolve a class action overtime lawsuit against the company and its two chief managing officers.
This class action lawsuit was led by three former workers from the Closet Factory, who were represented by TVC and co-counsel, Marcos Camacho, A Law Corporation, of Glendale. Plaintiffs sued on behalf of a class comprised of over 400 production and installation workers who were employed at the Closet Factor facilities in Los Angeles and San Rafael, California.

Santa Cruz County Superior Court approves class action settlement for $610,000 and issues a permanent injunction against La Esperanza Markets, Inc. Mendez, et al. v. La Esperanza Mercado y Carneceria, Inc., et al., Santa Cruz County Superior Court Case No. 153302
[7/23/2007]
On August 23, 2007, Hon. Robert Atack, Superior Court of California, Santa Cruz County granted preliminary approval to a $610,000 settlement reached with the operators of seven grocery markets in the counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey and Santa Clara, California. Plaintiffs sued on behalf of a class comprised of over 300 market workers who were paid by salary regardless of the total hours they worked. The lawsuit also alleges rest break violations.

San Francisco County Superior Court grants approval class action lawsuit that benefits janitors. The total settlement amount is $640,000.00. Sandoval, et al. v. Excel Building Services, LLC, San Francisco Superior Court Case No. CGC-05-445660
[11/6/2006]
Hon. Tomar Mason, County of San Francisco, Superior Court, approved a class action settlement of a wage and hour lawsuit TVC filed on behalf of Sergio Sandoval on behalf of himself and other similarly situated janitorial workers. Excel will pay a total of $640,000 plus the employer's share of all payroll taxes due on wage payments to settle the case.

Plaintiff Sergio Sandoval filed the class action lawsuit in October 2005 against the janitorial company on behalf of himself and other former and current workers who had worked at properties where Excel contracted to provide janitorial services and had been paid their wages through Luis Hernandez, d.b.a. Eric's Cleaning Services and/or J.E.

Labor of Love. Marin Attorney Karen Carrera crusades for low-wage women workers.
[9/13/2006]
North Bay Bohemian newspaper profile. September 13, 2006.

Santa Clara County, United States District Court. Three Latina Women Obtain $319,800 Settlement Against Sunnyvale Fast Food Restaurant for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
[9/1/2006]
Three Latina women settled their case against their former employer, a fast food restaurant in Sunnyvale. Plaintiffs' lawsuit was brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. In their complaint, Plaintiffs claimed that, beginning in the summer of 2002, the manager of the restaurant where they worked had repeatedly harassed them by making unwelcome propositions for sex. They also alleged that the manager regularly made comments to them about their breasts and buttocks, and invited them to sleep with him in order to advance in the company. Plaintiffs further claimed that when they complained to their employer about the sexual harassment, the company failed to take corrective action, and they suffered retaliation for speaking out.

Marin County, Superior Court. McDonalds of Marin, class action settlement for $1,450,000.00. Gutierrez, et al. v. Magruder, et al., Superior Court of California, County of Marin, case No. 043269
[5/9/2006]
Hon. Judge Michael Dufficy approved a class action settlement against Michael Magurder, former owner of seven McDonalds restaurants located in Marin County.

Tulare County Dairy Farmer Agrees to pay $230,000.00 to settle workforce wide action for unpaid wages. The Superior Court approves an injunction requiring the employer to follow the wage and hour laws in the future. Medrano, et al. v. Joaquin Toledo Dairy, Tulare County Superior Court Case No. 05-214818
[2/1/2006]
Talamantes/Villegas/Carrera, LLP was proud to co-counsel with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. and California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation in this case that was filed to require a dairy in Tulare county to properly pay its dairy workers pursuant to California law. Lead plaintiffs Alfredo Medrano, Ivan Gonzalez, and Hector Alonso Lopez represented approximately 70 other current and former employees of the Joaquin Toledo Jr. Dairy in Tulare who worked during the period of June 16, 2001 to June 16, 2005.

As part of the settlement, plaintiffs and the workers received unpaid wages plus penalties, and wages for missed meal and rest periods, and other Labor Code violations pursuant to Business & Professions Code § 17200, et seq. In addition to seeking monetary relief, plaintiffs also sought an injunction forcing the dairy to cease its illegal practices. In February 2006, approximately six weeks before trial was set to begin, the case settled, with the Dairy agreeing to pay $230,000 and enter into a stipulated injunction that, among other things, requires it to comply with all the California labor laws that plaintiffs had alleged were violated in their complaint.

Confidential
[2005]
$22,400,000.00 settlement of class action lawsuit against major retailers for failing to pay janitors the state minimum wage or the required premium for overtime.



Fresno County, VANDER EYK DARIY RANCH - [A California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation case] STATUS - Settlement reached September 27, 2004. Central Valley Dairy Workers win $360,000.00 for Unpaid Wages.
[9/27/2005]
The CRLA Foundation represented Refugio Castro, who sued Vander Eyk Dairy located in Tulare County, California. As a result of the lawsuit, the workers will receive $360,000.00 for time they worked without pay and as compensation unpaid wages and the failure to provide rest and meal breaks. The lead attorney in the case is Bianca Garcia with CRLA, Inc. in Fresno. For the CRLA Foundation, Julia Montgomery was lead counsel. Mark Talamantes participated in the case as an attorney with CRLA Foundation.

Santa Cruz County based SUPER TAQUERIA SETTLES CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT for $315,000.00. Mendez, et al. v. Super Taqueria Restaurants, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz, case No. 148181
[7/19/2005]
On July 19, 2005, Hon. Judge Robert B. Yonts, Jr. approved a class action settlement against Super Taqueria Restaurants. Super Taqueria agreed to broad injunctive relief which requires the restaurant to comply with California Labor Laws and also agreed to pay $315,000.00.

Sacramento County, DISTRICT COURT JUDGE AWARDS DAMAGES AND BACK WAGES TO FARMWORKERS - (FOR THE CRLA Foundation) - Cartas, et al. v. Harbans Bath, et al., United States District Court, Eastern District of California, No. CIV. S 01-0246 MCE. Total for Plaintiffs, including attorneys fees and costs = $607,723.00
[7/11/2005]
On July 11, 2005, Hon. District Court Judge Morrison C. England, Jr. issued a decision in favor of the plaintiffs in connection with their lawsuit resolving wage and hour and housing claims against defendant Harbains Bath for judgment totaling $52,923.23. Prior to the trial, Defendant Khan stipulated to a $325,000.00 judgment and has also agreed to abide by an injunction which prohibits him, among other things, from working as a Farm Labor Contractor without a license, and from operating farm worker housing. Defendant Rashpal Panu settled plaintiffs' claims and agreed to pay $18,000.00 and Defendant Harbains Bains agreed to pay $17,000. The Court awarded recovery of reasonable fees and costs in the amount of $194,800.00

Fresno County Superior Court issues an injunction against a dairy farmer requiring compliance with the California Labor Code. The case settled for $275,035.00, benefiting dairy workers. Acevedo, et al. v. Jesse Silva Dairy, et al., Fresno County Superior Court Case No. 05CECG01863
[6/16/2005]
Filed on June 16, 2005 - the same day as the Toledo Dairy case (above) - plaintiffs in this case also alleged that Defendants Jesse Silva Dairy et al. committed across-the-board violations of California's overtime, meal and rest period, tools and equipment, and recordkeeping requirements, and sought monetary and injunctive relief on behalf of the entire Dairy workforce pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17200, et seq. At the time they filed their original complaint, Plaintiffs also filed a motion for preliminary injunction to force Defendants to comply with the requirements of Labor Code § 226(a), which the Court granted in August 2005. Defendants agreed to pay $275,035 to settle the wage and hour claims on behalf of a plaintiff class comprised of all milkers and pushers who were employed by Silva Dairy at any time during the period between June 18, 2001 and March 1, 2006.

LAWYERS MAKE AN IMPACT, Tiburon Law Firm Fights for the Rights of Low Wage Workers, Latinos, Marin Independent Journal, Sunday, February 27, 2005, by Nancy Isles Nation.
[2/27/2005]
The Marin Independent Journal profiles Talamantes/Villegas/Carrera, LLP.

Alameda County Superior Court grants approval of a class action settlement against Alameda County construction company. Romero, et al. v. Cuadra Construction, Inc., d/b/a Libra Electric Co., Alameda County Superior Court Case No. RG04148739
[10/2/2004]
Originally filed on November 10, 2004 by the Law Offices of Richard Vaznaugh, the case became a class action to recover overtime wages on behalf of electricians and electrical installers who worked for Cuadra Construction during the period from November 10, 2001 through July 31, 2006. Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant failed to properly record and pay overtime wages and failed to provide adequate rest periods. On or about July 31, 2006, the parties reached an agreement under which Cuadra will pay a total of $530,000.00 to settle all of the plaintiffs' individual and class claims. Talamantes/Villegas/Carrera, LLP joined the lawsuit in September 2005.

San Mateo County based CEDARLANE NATURAL FOODS NORTH and LA TERRA FINA, INC -- STATUS - Class Action settlement reached June 9, 2004; pending Court approval. [Hernandez, et al. v. George Hourani, CedarLane, et al., Superior Court, County of San Mateo, No. CV 430975. Low wage workers win $275,000.00 for Unpaid Work and Damages Associated with the employer's failure to pay workers.
[7/9/2004]
ANTONIA HERNADEZ and MARISELA AYAR filed a lawsuit against CedarLane Natural Foods and North and La Terra Fina, located in South San Francisco for the failure to accurately pay all employees overtime, provide breaks, and accurately record hours worked on time cards. The case has settled as a class action and is pending court approval. All current and former employees of the defendants are encouraged to contact the TVC law offices to learn how to participate in the settlement

Marin County based SPALETTA RANCH - Court approved settlement fund distributed on Jan. 31, 2004. Marin Co. Dairy Workers win $235,000.00 for Unpaid Work and Damages Associated with Substandard Housing
[2/2/2004]
Agustin Gonzalez, et al., v. Spaletta Ranch Corp., Charles Spaletta, and individual d.b.a. Cypress Lane Ranch, and Tony Spaletta, an individual.
Dairy workers who worked for Spaletta Ranch Farms located in Marin and Sonoma County will receive $235,000.00 for time they worked without pay and as compensation for living at a substandard and illegal labor camp. In addition to the $235,000 monetary settlement, the defendants agreed to enter into an injunction which mandates that they comply with the law and give workers required rest and meal breaks.

The defendants required workers to live in deplorable living conditions. An inspector with the California, Dept. of Housing and Community Development identified 55 housing violations at the labor camp; including but not limited to: exposed electrical wiring; electrical extension cord wiring throughout the camp; excessive debris and rodent harboring; broken windows; exposed electrical wiring around the kitchen sink area; blocked exit doors; wood rot; and lack of permits for employee housing from both State of California and Count of Marin. In addition, during the time the clients worked at the ranch, they complained of bug infestation; exposed wires; broken and missing windows; holes in walls; mold and dampness throughout structures; lack of heat; leaking walls, plumbing and roof; and lack of plumbing.
We recognize that there are some local dairies in Marin and Sonoma Counties that comply with the law regarding the housing of dairy farm workers, however those that do not take that risk

Marin County based PIATTI RESTAURANTS - Settlement of $401,000.00 benefits employees of Piatti Restaurants throughout the State of California and requires Piatti to give rest and meal breaks and follow the law. On Jan. 12, 2004, Hon. Laurence K. Sawyer approved the settlement.
[1/12/2004]
On March 1, 2001, eight employees of the Roseville Piatti Restaurant participated in an employee walkout to protest hours that were being shorted from employee paychecks. Roseville employees discovered hour shaving by management who reduced employee work hours in the electronic timekeeping program. By reducing work hours, the workers were paid less for the total hours worked. A second separate employee walkout occurred on July 27, 2001, at the Sonoma Piatti Restaurant. There, eight employees walked-out to protest poor treatment by restaurant management and the failure to give rest breaks.
In addition to the hour shaving alleged by the workers at the Roseville restaurant, Piatti also did not provide employees with rest and meal breaks chain wide. As of the date of this posting, the settlement is before the Sonoma Superior Court pending final approval. The class settlement fairness hearing date is Jan. 12, 2004. The settlement provides for recovery for the workers and for injunctive relief.

Marin County based SILVEIRA DARIY RANCH. Court approves class settlement.
[1/1/2004]
Gerardo Padilla sued Silveira Farms located in Marin and Sonoma County. As a result of the lawsuit, the workers will attempt to recover unpaid wages, penalties and interest, plus damages for housing violations as compensation for living at a substandard and illegal labor camp.

Monterey County based SEAMIST FARMS, et al. Farm workers win back wages. Defendants ordered to pay $630,000.
[3/3/2003]
Judgment entered on March 3, 2003. Attorneys' fees and costs were awarded on Sept 3, 2003. Hon. Robert O'Farrell, presiding.

ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS: Counsel for the plaintiffs was awarded $448,000 in attorneys' fees and costs. Defendants and their defense lawyers should take note that the Court awarded plaintiffs' attorneys the full Lodestar and reasonable attorneys' fee rate, without reduction, in granting plaintiffs' motion for attorneys' fees and costs. The total fee award was Plaintiffs' attorneys were also permitted to recover costs of roughly $12,000. TVC lawyers pursue fees that are paid directly by the employer. It is our experience that defense bar attorneys often file frivolous and unnecessary pleadings and motions that are designed, frankly, to test our resolve and not the merits of the case. As recognized by this court and others, our billing practices are fair and reasonable. We will work with defendants and their lawyers to reach an early just settlement. At the same time, we will represent our clients and face each challenge to protect our clients' interest in the wages they earned, deserve and were not paid. TVC hires Richard Pearl, Esq. as fee recovery counsel.

VICTORIA ISLAND FARMS Farmworkers recover $646,969 in housing violations and unpaid wages.
[7/3/2002]
July 3, 2002. (Counsel for the CRLA Foundation.) Oswaldo Ramirez, et.al. v. JB Farm Labor Contractor, et.al., U.S. District Court, Eastern District, No. S-00-1162-GEB PAN

Settled. Defendants Victoria Island Farm, LLP, et.al., to pay $546,969. Defendants J.B. Farm Labor Contractor, et.al. to pay $100,000. The total settlement amounts include: restitution (back wages), penalties, interest and attorneys' fees and costs. Injunctive relief was also included as a term of settlement.

The settlement claims process is currently being administered by CRLA, Inc. and the CRLA Foundation. Eligible employees should contact the firm directly for more information or CRLA Stockton at 209-557-3811.

Grower to Pay Back Wages" (The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CA)
[6/6/2002]
"A San Joaquin asparagus farmer has agreed to pay $546,969 in back wages to workers whose employment status amounted to what their lawyer [for CRLA, Inc.] termed as "indentured servitude". Victoria Island Farms has also spent $172,000 on farm worker housing at its operations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin west of Stockton to settle its part of a federal lawsuit filed last year.

Denny Walsh, Sacramento Bee.

MIDDLE EAST SOLIS BAKING - Bakery workers recover $117,000 for unpaid overtime
[11/1/2001]
November 1, 2001 - Palomar v. Middle East Solis, Inc., Sup. Ct. San Mateo Superior Court, No. 411-460.

Cy Pres payments made to La Raza Centro Legal of San Francisco, California and The Impact Fund of Berkeley, California.

"Clean Up Camps for Workers, Judge Says" The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California
[6/1/2001]
"A Sacramento federal judge Friday described as "deplorable" the filth and unsafe living conditions of hundreds of farm workers in San Joaquin County and ordered a cleanup to begin by the middle of next week.

"Based on evidence submitted by attorneys for California Rural Legal Assistance [Inc.] (C.R.L.A.) [and CRLA Foundation], including two video tapes and declarations form 13 farm workers, U.S. District Court Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. found that there were crowded and squalid living conditions broken windows, missing doors, holes in walls and an unclean kitchen area" at six migrant labor camps.

"'These conditions could be fairly characterized as deplorable,' Burrell said."
Denny Walsh, Sacramento Bee.

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES - Sonoma and Marin workers settle in class
[]
July 2000.Rosas et.al. v. Wong et.al. (dba IHOP Restaurants) The Wong family franchise of International House of Pancakes located in Sonoma County California agreed to a class wide settlement of wage and hour violations. Settlement amount $425,000.