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Bridgeville-based Santonastasso Enterprises, owned by John and Kathleen Santonastasso, had 101 teenage employees "working outside permissible hours," as stated in the release.
The violations included having the 14-and 15-year-old employees work:
- More than 3 hours per day and after 7 p.m. on school days when the law forbids work beyond that time.
- Later than 9 p.m. on days between June 1 and Labor Day, when they may legally work until 9 p.m.
- More than 8 hours on a non-school day, and more than 18 hours a week during a regular school week.
“Permitting young workers to work excessive hours can jeopardize their safety, well-being and education,” said Wage and Hour District Director John DuMont in Pittsburgh in a prepared statement. “Employers who hire young workers must understand and comply with federal child labor laws or face costly consequences.”
Investigators also found that a 16-year-old was allowed to operate a deep fryer— which was not properly equipped— at the McDonald's located at 100 Davis Blvd. in Pittsburgh, according to the release.
All of the locations involved and children affected were:
- 3023 Washington Pike, Bridgeville; 11 children.
- 225 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., Castle Shannon; 9 children.
- 1010 4th Ave.; Coraopolis; 7 children.
- 1 Poplar St., Greentree; 10 children.
- 2805 Gracy Center Way, Moon Township; 5 children.
- 3085 Pittsburgh Road, Star Junction: 4 children.
- 600 Pine Hollow Road, McKees Rocks; 5 children.
- 100 Davis Blvd., Pittsburgh; 6 children.
- 3708 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh; 11 children.
- 500 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh; 3 children.
- 6361 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh; 18 children.
- 273 East Roy Furman Highway, Waynesburg; 3 children.
- 5 Sugar Run, Waynesburg; 9 children.
John and Kathleen Santonastasso sent the following statement to WPXI:
“We take our role as a local employer very seriously and we regret any scheduling issues that may have occurred at our restaurants. Our biggest priority is always the safety and well-being of our employees and we have since instituted a series of new and enhanced processes and procedures to ensure employees are scheduled appropriately.”
For more information about young workers’ rights and other employee rights enforced by the division, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).
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