Investigation into SoCal hotels allegedly using migrant workers to replace striking employees
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has launched an investigation into the working conditions at several hotels where workers are on strike.
The investigation was sparked by claims that migrant workers are being underpaid off the books, and that children may also be part of the workforce being used to replace those striking workers.
District Attorney George Gascón on Monday made an appearance outside Le Meridien Delfina in Santa Monica to announce the investigation into the hotel and several others.
"We want to make sure that those who are vulnerable are being provided the support that the laws of this country provides," he said.
Gascón spoke alongside striking workers from Unite Here Local 11, who have been holding intermittent strikes at L.A. area hotels for months...
The union presented Sebastian, a Venezuelan who says he was hired to work at Le Meridien but was forced to work without breaks, unable to eat for hours and doing the work of up to four people. He also says he was given a check without a pay stub, unaware of how much work he was being paid for.