Owner of shuttered pub owes thousands in wages, tips, staff say

In March 2018, Sydney Iversonwas excited to start work atBrew Street Craft and Kitchen,in Port Moody, B.C.Withina matter of months,Iversonmoved up from server to manager to general manager.

But by last summer, she sensed something was wrong.

For one, Iverson, 20, wasn't being paid on time if at all.

She claims pay cheques bounced at least five times and she's owed $4,600 by David James, who is listed as company president ofBrew Street, according to the company'slast filedcorporate records.

Iverson and two other former employeesallegeBrew Street owesthemmore than $6,800in unpaid wages and tips.

Theysay they're speaking out because they're concerned otherworkers could easilyundergo the same ordeal.

The restaurant has since closed. The Ministry of Labour told CBCits Employment Standards Branch is investigating several claims of unpaid wages.

'Every time it's another excuse'

Iverson says the money owedisfor wages, tips and charges she was asked to make on herpersonal credit card on the restaurant's behalf.

For example, if the restaurant ran out of a product, she would be asked to go to a grocery store, make the purchase and put it on hercard, Iverson said.

Iverson says on New Year's Eve 2018 she was told her credit card was needed for a cheese run.The bill was $152.

"Every time it's another excuse," she said, recounting attempts to recoup hermoney.

She says James has responded to her requestswith texts such as "I'll always take care of you. I don't have the money.Sorry, I can't pay you.I don't have the moneyto even put gas in my car."

Iverson worked at Brew Street until it closed in January 2019, then transferred briefly to another eatery operated by James called Craft and Cork Kitchen and Taps in Coquitlam, B.C.

CBCmade multiple attemptsto contactDavid James.Initially, he lefta telephone voice message that said, "if you can give me a call back, I don't mind talking at all."

James subsequently responded to CBC via email, indicatingthe restaurant would be repaying all the employees in full.

"Brew Street has made arrangementswith the Employment Standards Branch and individuals to pay the remaining outstanding fully on June 4th," James wrote.

Investigation underway

Under Ministry of Labour legislation, which regulates employment standards in B.C.,officers and directors of companies can be personally liable to pay up to two months wages toformer employees.

TheEmployment Standards Branchsays it received roughlyhalf a dozen complaints about Brew Street between December 2018 and April 2019.

"The investigation will continue until the complaints are resolved voluntarily (paid in full) or through a decision issued by the Branch," said a ministry spokesperson.

JadenRudland, 19, worked in Brew Street's kitchen. Rudland allegeshe's owed $700 in unpaid wages and charges for bounced cheques, and has filed a claim with the Employment Standards Branch.

"We put so much hours in and then you justtreatus like this?" he said. "It's a smack to the face."

ToriStone, 22,a server atBrew Street,estimates she's owed up to$2,000 inunpaid wages and tips.Stoneplans tofile a claim with theEmployment Standards Branch.

"People shouldn't have to fight for their money, she said. "You have a right to be paid."

Warning to others

Iverson fears she's missed the window of time in whichto complain to theEmployment Standards Branch. She believes her only option may be to fight for her money in Small Claims B.C.

The three friends feel their experience is a "heads up to other young people starting off their first jobs."

"Look out for this because it happens a lot, not just with us," said Rudland.

"You've got to learn when to put your foot down."