District Attorney De Berry emphasizes collaboration to combat wage theft in San Francisco

In a recent San Francisco County government meeting, officials addressed the pressing issue of wage theft, highlighting the need for enhanced collaboration among various city agencies to combat this persistent problem. The discussions underscored the commitment of the District Attorney's Office to pursue criminal prosecutions against employers who exploit workers, particularly in cases involving city contracts.

Christine De Berry, Chief of Staff to District Attorney George Gascon, emphasized the importance of civil and criminal remedies in addressing wage theft. She noted that while many cases can be resolved through civil processes, there are instances where criminal prosecution is warranted, especially when employers fail to pay workers their due wages. De Berry pointed out that the District Attorney's Office has successfully resolved cases of wage theft, securing restitution for affected workers, but acknowledged that the lack of victim participation often hampers their efforts.

The meeting also revealed a significant gap in coordination among city agencies. De Berry expressed a desire for improved collaboration with the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSC) and other city departments to ensure that cases of wage theft are appropriately referred for prosecution. The discussion highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, who may be hesitant to report violations due to fear of retaliation or lack of awareness about available resources.

Supervisors at the meeting proposed the formation of a task force to enhance inter-agency cooperation, aiming to create a citywide strategy to tackle wage theft more effectively. The idea is to combine the efforts of the District Attorney's Office, the City Attorney's Office, and OLSC to send a strong message to employers that wage theft will not be tolerated in San Francisco.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the District Attorney's Office to actively participate in the proposed task force and to work towards a more coordinated approach in addressing wage theft. This collaboration is seen as crucial not only for increasing the number of prosecutions but also for providing better support to workers who have been victimized. As the city moves forward, the focus will remain on ensuring that justice is served and that vulnerable workers are protected from exploitation.