Turley Law JULY 2018

Watching Your Wages So You Can Watch the Road

JULY 2018 Local 858.707.7815 Toll Free 888.855.8658 It ’ s Not Just the small companies

COMPANIES OF ALL TYPES WITHHOLD WAGES

A lot of people think that unpaid wages are only a problem for small companies and mom-and-pop joints. The truth is that any company could be paying its employees less than they should. I’ve worked on hundreds, if not thousands, of unpaid wage cases over the years, so I can say from experience there’s no pattern when it comes to the kinds of companies that steal from their employees. In fact, some of the most respected and beloved brands in the world — names like Apple, Amazon, Tesla, and Hertz — have been involved in unpaid wages lawsuits. We are working with these cases. It actually makes an ugly kind of sense that companies would be pressured to cut corners on the wages of workers. Huge corporations, after all, are beholden first and foremost to their shareholders. Never forget that. If a company’s revenue isn’t increasing, the only way they can make the share price go up is through cost cutting. When a company’s brass is under pressure to make the stock price go up, they can make dubious decisions. Do you think that money is coming out of the bonuses of executives? Don’t make me laugh. Instead, the people in corner offices look for ways to squeeze folks like you. They care more about their second homes than they do about their people being able to put food on the table. That may sound harsh, but when you strip away all the corporate jargon and smoke-and-mirrors deflections, it’s what it comes down to, plain and simple. Take a little bit from everybody at the bottom, hope they don’t notice, and keep the shareholders happy. The only way to fix this broken system is to stand up for yourself. If you suspect foul play, it’s probably happening. Six months or a year down the road, the company isn’t going to apologize for unpaid wages. “We were going through a tough time and did some things we shouldn’t have, including stealing

from you. We’ll make up for it now,” are words that have never been spoken by a CEO.

Look, I get it. It’s a tough decision to stand up to a big company. But remember that workers’ rights are the foundation of our economy. When we lose those, we have a system that benefits only the select few at the top. Companies, especially huge ones, don’t have much of an incentive to do right by their employees. Unions have been losing power for decades. The justice system is one of the last places where people can band together to get what they deserve. A company not paying wages isn’t singling out one person. They are exploiting whole groups of their workforce. If the workers don’t hold the company accountable, nobody will. When it comes to unpaid wages, don’t assume anything. Take the advice we hear on public transportation: If you see something, say something. Odds are your coworkers are experiencing the same thing. Let your voice be heard. It’s the only way to fix injustice.

-Bill Turley

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The Best Trucking Movies

My dad drove a truck. I grew up hearing “King of the Road.” I never got tired of it. With the immortal appeal of the open road, it’s no surprise that the world of trucking has been the subject of countless movies. Many attempts at capturing the spirit of hauling goods across the country have fallen flat, but there are a few movies that have become classics. Check out these films the next time you’re pining for the blacktop. ‘IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MADWORLD’ This 1963 film is an epic comedy for the entire family. If you haven’t seen this classic movie, you need to check it out. While not technically a “truck driver” movie, it has some great truck driving scenes. It has a 1960s-era all-star cast of actors: Spencer Tracy, Jimmy Durante (my kids play volleyball on Jimmy Durante Boulevard here in California), Sid Caesar, Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hackett, Milton Berle, Jim Backus, and of course, the truck driver/ furniture mover, Jonathan Winters. If you like crazy driving and laugh-out-loud movies, this is one that you shouldn’t miss. My kids loved this “kick the bucket” movie.

transport an illegal haul of beer from Texas to Georgia. As you can probably imagine, it doesn’t go according to plan. “Smokey and the Bandit” was so successful that it even sparked a momentary craze for CB radios.

‘DUEL’ You may know Steven Spielberg from

blockbusters like “Jaws” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” but his first full-length movie is perhaps the most nerve-racking movie ever starring a truck. The movie begins calmly enough, with the main character passing a Peterbilt 281 tanker. That tanker then begins a white-knuckle chase for the remainder of the film. Talk about a thrill ride!

‘CARS’ While not exclusively a trucking movie, Pixar’s 2006 movie “Cars” is the best bet for little truck lovers. Mater, the tow truck voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, is definitely my personal favorite and a perennial favorite for kids of all ages. With a barrel of laughs and Pixar’s always exceptional animation, “Cars” is sure to delight the little ones in your household. If they enjoy the original, you’ll soon be queuing up the two sequels.

‘SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT’ The late ’70s were a golden age for truck cinema, with titles like “Convoy,” “High Ballin’,” “Flatbed Annie and Sweetiepie: Lady Truckers,” and “Breaker! Breaker!” The granddaddy of them all, though, is 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit.” Featuring Burt Reynolds in all his movie-star pomp, the film’s plot involves two men trying to

'California Truck and Delivery DriverWage Theft' call here 858.707.7815 The easiest way to refer other people to us!

We realize that some folks may be a tad squeamish about referring others to a lawyer. We make it easy for you. Just call us and we’ll send a free copy of our “California Truck and Delivery Driver Wage Theft” book to you or to whomever you think might benefit from reading the book. Call 858.707.7815 or email Lisa at [email protected]. Thanks for thinking of us. -Bill Turley

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Waian in her fourth grade play

Kai with her best friends at her sixth grade promotion

Kai wins another beach volleyball tournament in Ocean Beach

Kai addressing the school at her sixth grade promotion

Waian with a friend at SD County Fair enjoying an ice cream

when we win, you win

Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw Mayumi Turley’s Recipe of the Month :

No matter where you stand on the great ketchup versus mustard debate, you’ll love these spicy, tangy, easy-to-make buffalo dogs. They’re the perfect way to elevate your Fourth of July cookout.

Ingredients

1 package of your favorite hot dogs 1 package hot dog buns

For Celery Slaw: •

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4 celery stalks, very thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

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1 bottle Frank’s RedHot sauce

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2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon olive oil

4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

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Celery salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. For slaw, toss all ingredients together and season with celery salt and pepper. 2. Grill hot dogs and toast buns. 3. Assemble hot dogs, douse with hot sauce, and top with celery slaw. 4. Top with blue cheese, add another splash of hot sauce if you’re feeling extra spicy, and serve.

Every case is different. Great results in past cases don’t guarantee great results in your case.

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HELPING CALIFORNIA TRUCKERS GET THEIR HARD-EARNED WAGES BACK Watching Your Wages so You Can Watch the Road Local 858.707.7815 or Toll Free 888.855.8658 www.TurleyLawFirm.com facebook.com/theturleylawfirm

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inside There’s No One Type of Wage Thief PAGE 1 The Best Trucking Movies PAGE 2 Get a Free Copy of Our Book PAGE 2

Turley’s Corner Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw PAGE 3 Pet Photo Contest PAGE 4

Pet Photo Contest Here are some of the winners so far ...

OUR PET PHOTO CONTEST CONTINUES Please send us your cool, cute, or bizarre pet photos. We still have a lot of great prizes to give out! Please email your pet photos to [email protected] or text them to 858.281.8008.

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