NEWS RELEASE: BOLI directs $17,000 to 11 unpaid film crew workers and urges others to file claims

[Burr, Charlie]

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For Immediate Release
January 27, 2017
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788

BOLI directs $17,000 to 11 unpaid film crew workers and urges others to file claims
"Our agency can help workers make ends meet when a business closes its doors," says Avakian

PORTLAND, OR-The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) has directed $17,835 to 11 unpaid employees working on the V Force: New Dawn of V.I.C.T.O.R.Y.<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5869188/> film set, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian announced today.

The agency directed payments through the state's Wage Security Fund after the film became unable to meet payroll. The fund helps employees receive wages earned during the 60 days preceding a business closure if the employer is financially unable to pay.

BOLI encouraged employees who've yet to be paid to contact the agency's Wage and Hour Division<http://www.oregon.gov/boli/WHD/Pages/contact_us.aspx>.

"If you haven't been paid wages you've earned, you should contact our agency," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "BOLI can help employees by directing resources through our Wage Security Fund even if a business has closed its doors. We will investigate and help workers secure back wages once we've verified amounts owed."

Filming stopped around August of last year. Although 15 workers have filed wage claims - two were determined to be independent contractors not eligible for Wage Security Fund payments and two investigations are still open - many more are potentially eligible for payments.

Investigators determine and verify how much, if any, is owed each worker. BOLI may direct a maximum of $4,000 to an individual worker for the wages owed during the roughly two month period prior to the closure. The fund covers only wages, not reimbursements for other expenses, such as kit fees and equipment rentals.

Oregon finances the fund through a diversion of three cents per $100 of the state's employment tax paid by employers for one quarter (three months) every odd-numbered year. After BOLI distributes payments from the Wage Security Fund, the agency seeks to recover the wages owed from the business or successor.

Oregon is one of only two states in the county to have a Wage Security Fund.

For more information about BOLI's efforts to protect workplaces and support Oregon employers, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI.

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Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045
Portland, Oregon  97232
Tel:  971-673-0788


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