SFO says it’s investigating claims airport workers were underpaid

San Francisco International Airport said it was investigating airline food contractor LSG Sky Chefs, after a labor union submitted claims that 136 employees in airport kitchens have been victims of wage theft.

Unite Here, a union representing hotel, food and gaming workers, published a report on Thursday alleging that LSG Sky Chefs may owe as much as $22,500 in back wages to its staff in SFO as of May 20.

SFO’s Quality Standards Program requires certain airport contractors to pay a minimum wage, which increased by 30 cents to $14.14 at the start of 2017.

Wage theft is a term that covers payment below the minimum wage, denial of meal or rest breaks, nonpayment of overtime and other cases of insufficient pay by employers.

“These workers are often taken advantage of because of their immigrant status and the fact they are not fully aware of their basic rights make them vulnerable,” said Gordon Mar, executive director of Jobs With Justice San Francisco, which advocates for workers rights, wages and work-life balance.

Asked on the lower back wages owed to LSG Sky Chefs SFO employees compared to other cities, Mar said: “It does indicate a relatively higher level of awareness.. but still that’s a large amount of money that they have been cheated out of and deserve.”