From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Feb 3 09:35:47 2016 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2016 17:35:47 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: New live entertainment hotline provides information on workplace protections, resources Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072616DFEF681@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.gif at 01D15DCD.63AF0B70] For Immediate Release February 3, 2016 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 BOLI: New live entertainment hotline provides information on workplace protections, resources Live entertainment venues under 600 seats must post free hotline notification poster PORTLAND, OR-A new hotline for live entertainment workers is providing information about retaliation, sex discrimination, harassment, unlawful wage practices and a host of other workplace protections. As of January 1, live entertainment venues and facilities are required to prominently display a poster for live entertainers so that workers will know about their rights and the new hotline. Employers can download a free poster online. The posting requirement applies to all live entertainment venues with 600 or fewer seats. "Our hope is that the hotline will help workers understand their rights and the resources available to them," said Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. "Although each case is different, the goal is to provide live entertainment workers access to accurate, unbiased information so that they can assess the workplace protections available to them." Callers to the toll-free hotline (1-844-304-2654) may request confidentiality. The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) created the hotline as a "one stop" shop for workplace protection information after a coalition of exotic dancers, the American Federation of Musicians and the Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers successfully advocated for HB 3059 during the 2015 Oregon Legislative Session. Oregon is the first state to develop such a resource to field inquiries and complaints related to employment in this industry. BOLI enforces both the state's wage and hour laws - including minimum wage and meal and rest period requirements - and civil rights protections, including enforcement of anti-retaliation and harassment laws. The agency currently has an active civil rights investigation into whether Stars Cabaret in Beaverton engaged in unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment of a minor. Any workers seeking to file a complaint alleging unlawful discrimination or harassment can contact the Civil Rights Division at crdemail at boli.state.or.us or by calling (971) 673-0764. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 5083 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Tue Feb 9 13:33:28 2016 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 21:33:28 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?NEWS_RELEASE:_Avakian_files_anti-retaliation_commissione?= =?Windows-1252?Q?r=92s_complaint_against_flagging_companies_and_their_own?= =?Windows-1252?Q?er_?= Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072616DFF1148@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.gif at 01D1633E.74E76920] For Immediate Release February 9, 2016 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 Avakian files anti-retaliation commissioner?s complaint against flagging companies and their owner Agency previously secured more than $100,000 for Sellwood Bridge flaggers denied full wages PORTLAND, OR? Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian has filed a commissioner?s complaint against Tri-Star Flagging, LLC, A D Traffic Control, LLC, and owner Evan Williams alleging retaliation, threats of physical violence, and other unlawful employment practices against employees who filed wage claims. The complaint alleges that the flagging company owner Evan Williams terminated employees as retaliation for whistleblowing and prevented other employees from filing additional claims or complaints. Previously, the agency recovered $104,000 in fringe benefit wages for 37 Tri-Star employees who worked as flaggers on the Sellwood Bridge project. ?It?s critical that workers are able to file wage claims with our agency free from retaliation and harassment,? said Labor Commissioner Avakian. ?No employer has the right to fire or physically threaten workers for stepping forward during a BOLI investigation. Our agency has a duty to ensure strong enforcement of anti-retaliation protections so that workers can recover wages they?ve earned.? Late last year, the agency sought to make owner Evan Williams ineligible to work on public projects for a period of three years. At that time, BOLI sought $94,000 in penalties for failing to fully pay workers on the bridge project, as well as intentionally filing inaccurate payroll records. That decision is pending. Oregon law empowers the labor commissioner to file a complaint on behalf of the people of Oregon when the commissioner has reason to believe an unlawful practice ? such as retaliation against whistleblowing ? has occurred. The civil rights complaint is the eighth filed by Commissioner Avakian. A previous commissioner?s complaint against Daimler Trucks North America resulted in a record $2.4 million civil rights settlement earlier this year, the largest in the agency?s history. Workers can file a civil rights complaint if they believe that they are being retaliated against by contacting the Civil Rights Division at crdemail at boli.state.or.us or by calling (971) 673-0764. Copies of the commissioner?s complaint are public documents available on the agency?s website here. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI?s work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 5083 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Feb 17 09:32:57 2016 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 17:32:57 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI finds substantial evidence of unlawful discrimination and harassment of minors in Stars investigation Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072616DFF1D9D@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01D16587.03430810] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2016 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 BOLI finds substantial evidence of unlawful discrimination and harassment of minors in Stars investigation Commissioner's Complaint will now move toward Administrative Prosecution Unit for drafting of formal charges PORTLAND, OR-An investigation of Stars Cabaret launched by Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian has found substantial evidence of sexual harassment of minors, the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) announced today. Investigators determined that Stars knew or should have known about repeated sexual harassment. The case will now move to the administrative prosecution unit, which will draft formal charges and set a date for hearing. The investigation stems from a commissioner's complaint alleging that the company failed to take appropriate corrective action to address workplace discrimination and harassment. The investigation finds that during the period from August to September 2014-after police had arrested one of Stars' managers on charges of sexual abuse and compelling prostitution of a minor-the club employed another female under 16 years of age to work as an adult entertainer. The first victim, then 13, was prostituted out of one of the Stars Cabarets until she sought medical treatment and subsequently disclosed details of her abuse to a mandatory reporter. The second victim, then 15, sought employment at Stars at the direction of previously-convicted sex offender Anthony Curry. The investigation determined that both minors were employees, not independent contractors, rejecting the argument by respondents that a 13 year old and 15 year old negotiated and entered into a legally-enforceable contract. Stars also exercised extensive control over the dancers. "It's unacceptable for employers to subject children to sexual harassment and abuse," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "The heinous conditions uncovered in this investigation deserve a swift and aggressive response. We intend to bring charges that reflect the severity of harassment." Commissioner's complaints can be a valuable enforcement tool when vulnerable employees express fear of retaliation. Workers can start the complaint process by filing with the Civil Rights Division at crdemail at boli.state.or.us or by calling 971-673-0764. A new live entertainment hotline at 1-844-304-2654 also can provide workers information about retaliation, sex discrimination, harassment, unlawful wage practices and a host of other workplace protections. Callers to the toll-free hotline may request confidentiality. Prior to the substantial evidence determination, Commissioner Avakian amended the complaint to add respondents High Life, LLC, IHAT, Inc., JMS Holdings, Inc., MJ10, Inc., NIMBY, LLC, NPC Properties, LLC, RGK Holdings, Inc. (fka Phoenix Holdings, Inc.), SCS2, Inc. (dba Stars Cabaret at the Capitol), SCTO, Inc. (dba Stars Cabaret - Bridgeport), NPC Concepts, LLC, Weston Court Properties, LLC, W.T.H. Inc. (dba Stars Cabaret in the Cascades) and additional aiders and abettors Pamela Colburn, Lisa Heinzman-Myers, Jon Herkenrath, Randy Kaiser, Todd Mitchell and Jeff Struhar. The amended complaint reflects Stars Cabaret's interrelated and expansive operational and ownership structure. Copies of the commissioner's complaint are public documents available on the agency's website here. A previous commissioner's complaint against Daimler Trucks North America resulted in a record $2.4 million civil rights settlement last year, the largest in the agency's history. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: