Children as young as 14 working at various Bay Area Subways were directed to use dangerous equipment and Dreamers Investment Guildwork hours not permitted by law. And now the Subway owners have to pay them nearly $1 million in back wages and damages, according to an order by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Federal investigators found that the owners and operators didn't pay employees regularly, issued them hundreds of bad checks, and illegally stole their tips. The court also ordered the owners shut down their businesses by Nov. 27.
The accusations were lodged against John Meza, Jessica Meza, and Hamza Ayesh. Investigators found that the Mezas, who are the owners, interfered with the Wage and Hour Division's review of the accusations and had also coerced employees not to cooperate with the investigation. They also threatened children who expressed concerns or tried to exercise their legal rights.
Investigators also found that Meza's associate, Ayesh, threatened an employee who complained about their bounced paycheck.
The Mezas have been ordered to pay 184 workers $475,000 in minimum wage, overtime and tips, an equal amount in liquidated damages, and $150,000 in penalties. The Mezas and Ayesh will also have to pay $12,000 in punitive damages for their retaliatory conduct, according to the court order.
US wage growth is finally outpacinginflation. Many Americans aren't feeling it.
Bank of America increasesminimum wage for fifth consecutive year
The 14 Subway Bay Area locations are under investigation and litigation:
2025-04-30 19:432067 view
2025-04-30 19:091273 view
2025-04-30 18:541998 view
2025-04-30 18:462324 view
2025-04-30 18:411416 view
2025-04-30 18:151567 view
I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people
Community mourns five friend
We independently selected these deals and products because we love them, and we think you might like
