In December 2007, nearly 1,000 current and former workers of the Yellow Rat Bastard retail chain won $1.4 million in unpaid wages through a lawsuit with the NYS Attorney General’s office and RAP’s grassroots campaign. Before this campaign, YRB workers worked for as low as $5.25/hr, well below the 2006 minimum wage of $6.75, received no overtime pay of time and a half, even though many worked 70 hrs/wk, experienced rampant verbal abuse by managers and worked in an unhealthy work environment, including the rat infested flagship store.

Now, YRB workers earn at least the minimum wage of $7.15 and legal overtime pay of time and a half their hourly wage, receive more respectful treatment by their managers and have seen improvements in their working conditions, like renovated bathrooms and exterminators for rat infestation.

Justice was won for the YRB workers through the diligent legal efforts of the NYS Attorney General’s office, the courageous work of dozens of YRB workers and RAP members, and the support of a broad base community coalition with public actions such as rallies, press conferences and a weekly boycott. This tremendous victory shows retail workers that they too can fight back and win justice on the job!