Former Restaurant Employees Protest Payday Hot Checks

ODESSA, TX – Former employees of the La Jaliba Mexican Restaurant protested outside the business on Tuesday after claiming they worked for nearly a month without pay.

According to the employees, when they were given a check it would bounce when they attempted to cash it.

The protesting employees stated they were understanding at first, but that the issue has dragged on for too long.

“I come in for three days every day in the morning to check my money,” said former employee Margarita Manca. “But he no have my money.”

"They just tell you we’ll pay you Wednesday, we’ll pay you Saturday, we’ll pay you Friday and it just never comes through,” said Michael Navarro. “We’re working Americans just like they are. Just like the people down the street, anyone. We want to get paid the same as everyone else. We don’t work for free.”

Local media reached out to the restaurant's owner who disputes that version of events.

According to Alejandro Quezada, half the people at the protest had already been paid while the other half had their checks delayed for only two weeks. He stated those employees would be paid this week.

While Quezada wouldn't confirm why the payments were delayed, he claimed he was working hard to ensure every employee was paid for their work.