New York, NY – Today, City Hall announced they successfully settled their suit with Chipotle, resulting in a historic $20 million settlement. The City’s complaint alleged nearly 600,000 violations of New York’s Fair Workweek law. The $20 million amount represents the largest settlement under the Fair Workweek law thus far. All of the multi-million dollar settlement will be distributed as worker relief. An additional $1 million goes to the City as a civil fine. For the announcement, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and Political Director Candis Tall joined Mayor Eric Adams, Chief Counsel to Mayor Adams Brendan McGuire, and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga to unveil the settlement.    

“The significance of today’s announcement goes beyond the historic $20 million payment Chipotle must make to its workers and the City of New York,” said 32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg. “This settlement represents the culmination of a years-long process 32BJ SEIU started in 2018. At its core, our fight focused on forcing Chipotle to respect the workers it relies on for its record profits. As the company brazenly violated more of our hard-won labor rights, even while their workers served on the front lines of a pandemic, the outcome of the City’s suit against Chipotle took on even greater importance. Luckily, Mayor Eric Adams and his administration met the moment. Now, four years later, 32BJ SEIU is proud to stand with City Hall to send a powerful reminder to Chipotle and companies like it that workers’ rights matter in New York City.”

“This almost feels unreal. When you’re in the thick of it, like going to work each day and going through the motions, you think no one is paying attention,” said Chipotle worker Yeral Martinez. “But this settlement proves that we’re not invisible. Companies can’t treat their workers as disposable. We are worthy of respect, dignity, and fair schedules!” 

“This settlement is a huge step forward for workers everywhere,” said Chipotle worker Paloma Nunez. “We are organizing and fighting back where it matters most, and we know large companies are taking notice. I’m thankful that companies like Chipotle are learning that even they need to follow the law or pay up!” 

Background:

Over 2018 and 2019, 32BJ SEIU New York City filed complaints against Chipotle regarding the company’s violations of the Fair workweek law across 38 NYC restaurants. The $20 million settlement represents the largest amount won against Chipotle under the Fair workweek law.  

###

Fast Food Union is fighting to make NYC fast food jobs good, family-sustaining jobs with stable hours and a union voice via 32BJ SEIU, the largest property service workers’ union in the country.