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Rules Committee forwards eight members to new Wage Theft Task Force
Summary
The Rules Committee voted unanimously to forward eight appointments to a newly created Wage Theft Task Force designed to improve outreach and enforcement for low-wage workers, with seats reserved for community-based organizations, a union representative and employer representatives.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on Sept. 20 voted to forward eight recommended appointees to a new Wage Theft Task Force meant to improve enforcement and outreach to workers who are not being paid legally owed wages.
Supervisor David Campos, the author of the underlying legislation, moved the committee recommendation to forward the slate of candidates. The motion was seconded and carried without opposition; the Rules Committee will send its recommendation to the full Board for final consideration.
The eight names recommended by Supervisor Campos include a mix of worker advocates, union representatives and business owners. Chair Jane Kim clarified seat requirements during the meeting: the first four seats must be persons with wage-theft experience representing community-based organizations, seat 5 must be a person who works at a labor union with industry experience, and the final three seats are to represent responsible employers or business owners in San Francisco.
Applicants who spoke before the committee described the scope of the problem and their priorities if appointed. Ace Wiseman, a Young Workers United board member and a restaurant worker who said he had personally experienced wage theft, said one priority would be “how to make it safe for people who may not speak English as their first language, and also people who aren't have the proper documents, and who may be scared to come forward.” Charlotte Moss, a project attorney at the Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center, described more than a decade representing low-wage immigrant workers and said she would bring litigation and policy experience to help workers and ensure employers can comply while remaining viable.
Other nominees included Terrence Valen of the Filipino Community Center, Shisan Liu of the Chinese Progressive Association Tenant and Workers Center, Tina Liang Chen, Karen Heisler (small business owner), Manish Sheikh (employment attorney) and a seat reserved for a union-affiliated person (Don Houston was listed as the union seat but was not present). Public commenters including Tim Paulson of the San Francisco Labor Council and representatives of worker organizations urged the committee to approve the appointments and to make outreach and worker safety central tasks for the body.
The committee’s recommendation now goes to the full Board of Supervisors for final action.
