News & Commentary

June 22, 2026

Justin Cassera

Justin Cassera is a student at Harvard Law School.

In today’s news and commentary, a pro-labor progressive is slated to become D.C.’s next mayor, and the Department of Labor recovers back wages and damages for Washington restaurant workers.

On Thursday, democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George prevailed in the Washington D.C. Democratic mayoral primary, all but ensuring her the mayoral office ahead of November’s general election. Lewis George, a D.C. councilwoman and former prosecutor, defeated fellow council member Kenyan R. McDuffie and others through “a coalition of voters that skewed young, white, college-educated and newer to Washington.” Lewis George’s platform focused on affordability and defying the Trump administration, promising to bring down rents, partner with labor unions, and “‘actively tell our employees to resist’ if Trump again attempted to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department.” Lewis George is the daughter of a union postal worker and formerly a member of the American Federation of Government Employees.

Last week, the Department of Labor announced it had secured a federal court order requiring four Washington-based restaurants to pay $750,000 in back wages and damages to over 40 workers following an investigation into illegal practices under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Following the department’s initial investigation, restaurant owners Nolberto and Guillermina Rodríguez agreed to pay back wages to 42 employees who were victims of overtime violations or retaliation. The department then sought—and was granted—a court order to compel payment after the Rodríguezes failed to make payments. Following the news, Wage and Hour Division Administrator Andrew Rogers said, “Disregarding the findings of a Wage and Hour Division investigation carries serious repercussions. I encourage employers to regularly review their pay practices, reach out for compliance assistance, and immediately address violations.”

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