CHAIN REACTION
Western Pa. Domino’s operator fined $344,000 for 715 violations of the Child Labor Act
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry on Monday announced it has fined the operator of seven Domino’s locations in Erie, Crawford and Mercer counties $344,000 for 715 violations of the Child Labor Act.
An investigation into the operator, NWPA Pizza Inc., was launched after an employee filed a complaint with the department, according to a news release. The violations, which began in 2021, include failing to provide breaks to more than 16 child employees.
“L&I is unwavering in its commitment to defending the rights of Pennsylvania’s workforce and ensuring the safety of our youngest workers from illegal employment practices,” said Nancy Walker, secretary of the Department
of Labor and Industry. “In line with this commitment, Governor [Josh] Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget includes an investment to enhance our enforcement capabilities through the addition of 12 labor law investigators to our existing team of 27. This strategic investment is aimed at bolstering our education, outreach, and enforcement efforts to protect Pennsylvania workers, especially our children, from unlawful employment practices.”
Additional violations include employing minors who did not have the appropriate working papers, failing to notify the children’s school of being hired or terminated, employing a child under the age of 16 without parental authorization, having child employees work more hours than legally permitted, and scheduling minors outside of legal working hours.
NWPA Pizza officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act is enforced by the department’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance (BLLC). It aims to protect the health and safety of children by limiting employment in certain establishments and occupations, restricting the hours of work, regulating work conditions, and requiring work permits for children hired to fill certain positions. All fines collected from child labor law investigations are deposited into Pennsylvania’s General Fund.
As a result of the settlement, NWPA Pizza Inc., management will have to attend mandated training by the BLLC on how to adhere to Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act.