Idaho ice cream store accused of exploiting child labor – KTVB.com

The U.S. Department of Labor fines Stella’s Ice Cream for child labor violations

The U.S. Department of Labor has fined Nampa-based business Stella’s Ice Cream for multiple penalties regarding child labor laws. Four of the local ice cream store’s locations have been fined $321,015 for endangering children employees by assigning them dangerous tasks, working during hours forbidden by law, and illegally sharing tips with managers.

Protecting children and ensuring safe work environments

“Learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up, but we must protect children and ensure their first jobs are safe and do not interfere with their education or well-being,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Katherine Walum in Portland, Oregon. “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows for work experiences but restricts the employment of young workers in certain jobs and provides for penalties when employers do not follow the law.”

Stella’s Ice Cream responds to the investigation

Stella’s Ice Cream issued a statement acknowledging the findings of the federal investigation into their compliance with child labor and tip-sharing laws. The company stated that the incidents occurred between 2019 and 2022, and they have been in full compliance since then. However, they strongly disagree with the final ruling, claiming that the fines imposed were disproportionate and unfairly targeted small businesses like theirs.

Violations and penalties

The U.S. Department of Labor stated that Stella’s Ice Cream put the safety of children at risk by employing them to perform dangerous tasks and work beyond the allowed hours. The investigation found that the company regularly employed workers between the ages of 14 and 15 to work past 10:30 p.m. and operate industrial mixers and drive delivery vans.

Challenges faced by Stella’s Ice Cream

In their statement, Stella’s Ice Cream highlighted the challenges they faced due to discrepancies between federal and state labor laws. They mentioned that state regulations allowed teenagers to work certain hours that conflicted with federal rules, making it difficult to fully comply with the stricter federal requirements. The company also mentioned issues with outdated regulations regarding the use of standard kitchen equipment by teenage employees.

Tips sharing violation

The investigation also uncovered that Stella’s Ice Cream shared tips with managers and supervisors, which is a violation of federal regulations. The company was required to pay $79,463 in back wages and liquidated damages to 208 affected workers.

Stella’s Ice Cream’s perspective

Stella’s Ice Cream expressed their belief that their tip-sharing practices aimed to create a fair and equitable system for all employees. They disagreed with the government’s stance on including managers and supervisors in the tip pool. The company emphasized that no harm or negative impact was caused to employees by their actions.

Call for transparency and fairness

Stella’s Ice Cream called for greater transparency and fairness in regulatory enforcement, advocating for local and state representatives to support small businesses and fight against unjust measures. They emphasized the importance of clear guidance and support from the government and urged regulators to adopt a more balanced and reasonable approach that supports small businesses.

Commitment to compliance and employee safety

Stella’s Ice Cream reiterated their commitment to complying with the law, ensuring the safety of their employees, and serving the community with integrity. They accepted responsibility for any mistakes made and emphasized that the safety and well-being of their team remain their highest priority.

KTVB will update this story if more information becomes available.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
   • Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (relevant to child labor violations).

Analysis

The article discusses the U.S. Department of Labor’s fines imposed on Stella’s Ice Cream for violating child labor laws. Based on the content of the article, the following analysis can be made:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDG that is addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article is SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. This SDG focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The specific target under SDG 8 that can be identified based on the article’s content is Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to Target 8.7. However, Indicator 8.7.1 can be used to measure progress towards this target. Indicator 8.7.1 measures the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. This indicator can be used to assess the extent of child labor violations and track progress in eradicating the worst forms of child labor.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ktvb.com