The Labor Department has on Thursday ordered the management of Mystic Pizza to pay about 110 of its employees $105,000 after investigations revealed that the workers in the famous eatery were being underpaid.
According to Sharon M. Palmer, the State Labor Commissioner, who made the announcement, based on the probe by the Wage and Workplace Standards Division, several employees in Mystic Pizza were being paid below the minimum wage at about $5 to $7 per hour. Also, investigators accused the company of failing to adequately compensate workers for overtime.
Reports indicate that the probe into Mystic Pizza was initiated after the Wage and Workplace Standard Division received complaints from employees of the company.
Gary K. Pechie, the director of the Wage and Workplace Standards, has revealed that a separate investigation has been opened into Mystic Pizza after one of the workers who reported the wage violations was dismissed from the company.
Mr. Pechie noted that the management of Mystic Pizza will forward the checks of the employees to the Labor Department, from where they would be dispatched to the individuals concerned. He also revealed that Mystic Pizza has been fined an additional $23,400 for its violation of laws regarding to national wages.
He noted that "Every employee deserves to be paid the required amount for the work that they do, and this is a flagrant example of an employer taking advantage of their workforce."
Mystic Pizza was propelled into national recognition following the release of a Hollywood movie by the same name in 1998 - which was apparently inspired by the restaurant. Although the eatery has reportedly suffered to keep up with its fame, it continues to be a dear place for fans of the movie in which star actor Matt Damon made his debut.
