New Report from Senators Murray, Warren: Workers Under Andrew Puzder Are Overworked, Underpaid, and Lack Basic Benefits

Statement

Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released a new report detailing first-hand accounts from workers employed by Hardee's and Carl's Jr. restaurants under the leadership of Andrew Puzder, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Labor. The alarming accounts in this report make clear that workers at Mr. Puzder's restaurants are overworked, underpaid, and lack basic benefits, and that he has repeatedly refused to stand up for workers during his tenure as CEO of CKE Restaurants.

"As we have learned more about Andrew Puzder's record, it has become increasingly clear that President Trump's choice to lead the Department of Labor represents yet another broken promise," said Senators Murray and Warren. "As the alarming stories in this report make clear, Andrew Puzder will do what's best for big businesses like his own and those at the top--at the expense of workers and their families."

In the report, workers tell concerning stories about what it is like to work in Mr. Puzder's restaurant chains. Among the several accounts gathered from high school students, single mothers and seniors, the report finds that workers are:

· Paid rock bottom wages at or just barely above the minimum wage--even long time
employees;
· Workers are forced to work off the clock without pay up to 15 to 20 hours a week;
· Workers are forced to work unpredictable hours;
· Workers are routinely exposed to unsafe workplaces;
· Women are at high-risk of sexual assault by their co-workers; and,
· Workers are discouraged from calling in sick and receive no sick leave.

Source