4 Northern Va. Jersey Mike’s cited for breaking child labor laws
InsideNoVa.com

March 20, 2024, 10:07 AM

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U.S. Department of Labor investigations at four Northern Virginia Jersey Mike’s franchise locations have found the operator allowed more than a dozen employees under the age of 16 to perform dangerous tasks and work longer than permitted hours.

The department’s Wage and Hour Division determined that JM Burke LLC — the Charleston, South Carolina-based operator — violated the Fair Labor Standards Act at locations in Ashburn, South Riding, Springfield and Sterling, according to an agency news release. ... The operator is accused of allowing 14 minor-aged children to operate power-driven meat slicers, a hazardous occupation under federal law, the release said.

The division also found JM Burke employed minors to either work more than eight hours on a non-school day, more than 18 hours during a school week, more than three hours on a school day after 7 p.m. between the day after Labor Day and May 31, or after 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day, all child labor violations. ... JM Burke paid $108,161 in civil money penalties to resolve its child labor infractions, the release said.

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Editor’s Note: A spokesperson for the Department of Labor tells WTOP the matter was resolved administratively, and Jersey Mike’s paid the civil penalties and back wages to the affected workers. WTOP has also reached out to Jersey Mike’s for comment.