Zohran Mamdani is continuing to shake things up in New York – and somehow making labor law updates feel watchable. On Tuesday, Mamdani sat down with DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine to announce a $1.8 million settlement involving local Taco Bell and Dunkin’ franchises. And instead of a press conference, they did it over a full-on mukbang, eating Crunchwrap Supremes and Dunkin’ Munchkins while breaking down workers’ rights.
The video is chaotic in the best way, but it still keeps the focus where it belongs. While appreciating his Crunchwrap, Mamdani pauses mid-bite to shout out to the workers directly, “Thank you to the workers who made this—not the franchisees who broke the law, but the workers who made the Crunchwrap Supreme. You did supremely well.”
The settlement will provide relief to more than 830 fast food workers across New York City who experienced labor law violations. Workers don’t need to file a complaint to get paid – compensation will come through direct deposits or mailed checks.
But as Mamdani explains, it’s bigger than just money. “Today’s settlements are about more than financial compensation for working New Yorkers—though that relief matters,” he said. “At their core, these actions are about restoring dignity on the job.”
In the video, Levine breaks down the New York City Fair Workweek Law, explaining that fast food employers cannot require back-to-back closing and opening shifts with less than 11 hours in between, unless a worker willingly agrees.
“Every worker deserves a predictable schedule—something stable enough to plan a life around, to care for family, to show up for the people who depend on them,” Mamdani continued, emphasizing what stability actually means for workers.
“When you don’t give people a predictable schedule, it’s not just a violation,” Levine said. “It really has big consequences for people’s lives—whether they can work a second job, take care of their family, plan for their futures, and keep their jobs.”
© NYC Mayor’s OfficeThis isn’t just a one-time thing. Mamdani made it clear the city isn’t backing down on enforcement, “This city will not tolerate any corporation or franchisee that violates our Fair Workweek laws—or any of the labor protections that workers fought for and won,” he said. “We will keep enforcing those laws so that every New Yorker knows their rights and can count on this city to defend them.”
They also encouraged workers to report violations without fear of retaliation, which is illegal. According to him, this entire case started with just one person speaking up. “One worker making a complaint about a violation of Fair Workweek laws,” he said, “is what leads to more than 800 workers receiving relief”—with some expected to earn more than $10,000.
Since Jan. 1, 2026, the Administration has secured more than $8.5 million in restitution for New York City workers, including more than $500,000 for freelancers ripped off by production company Splashlight and nearly $5 million for Uber Eats, Fantuan, and HungryPanda delivery workers, per Harlem World Magazine.
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