Steer ‘N’ Stein employees say they didn’t get paid after Iowa State Fair

Calyn Thompson
·3 min read

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair ended more than two months ago, but some employees at Steer ‘N’ Stein say they still haven’t been paid.

Now, parents are frustrated because hours their kids aren’t being compensated for their work.

“It’s concerning to say the least,” Zack Wiese said.

Wiese said his daughter Sophie’s first job was working at Steer ‘N’ Stein.

“It was exciting for her to be able to go and have the potential to make the money,” Wiese said.

Unfortunately, when she went to cash her first paycheck of around $630, the bank told her the check bounced due to “insufficient funds.”

Wiese said the next thing his daughter did was reach out to her boss, Steer ‘N’ Stein owner Michael Krantz.

“It made all of us kind of believe that she was going to get paid within a few days,” Wiese said. “He [Krantz] would say ‘I’m so sorry this happened’ and ‘it’s been a big problem’ and ‘it’s such a disaster and ‘I’m gonna do everything I can to get everybody taken care of.”

But two months later she still hasn’t seen any money in her account.

“You want your kid to learn like hey, things like this happen and there’s a way to get through it and your employer’s probably going to take care of it,” Wiese explained. “But then as it doesn’t, hopefully for her it doesn’t give her any trust issues or whatever with working. Because we all work, and you go to work and expect to get paid.”

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It’s unclear how many workers are impacted by this. Iowa State Fair spokeswoman Mindy Williamson sent the following statement in response:

“We were recently informed of an issue involving unpaid employees at Steer N ’Stein on the Fairgrounds. We take this matter seriously and are concerned that a vendor at the Fair may not be operating in an ethical manner. The Fair does not manage or operate Steer N’ Stein. Not operating in good faith would be a clear violation of the terms and conditions of their one-year contract to do business at the Iowa State Fair.”

Erica James worked her last summer behind the bar at Steer ‘N’ Stein. She said she was let go before the State Fair ended this year for a reason she’s still unsure of.

“I was mailed a check for my hourly and I was not paid for my tips,” James explained.

While she was able to cash her check, she said several young workers are now calling her about not getting paid.

“I kind of feel like a momma bear you know wanting to protect their young,” James said.

She wants to help them with next steps, even if that means legal action.

“I don’t think that’s the type of business owner we want representing the Iowa State Fair,” James said.

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Like James, Erich Hayes was also let go from Steer ‘N’ Stein during the State Fair and he also didn’t see any of his tip money.

“I don’t need or want Michael Krantz’s money,” Hayes said. “I just really want him to make this right.”

Hayes also wants to help younger workers, especially his neighbor 14-year-old Sophie because he helped her get the job.

Plus, he understands the financial impact of not getting paid.

“My lights are still on, there’s still food in the dog bowl,” Hayes said, “but I know there’s some people who are in not so good situations.”

While both Erich and Erica say they’ll be able to manage, parents like Wiese are committed to protecting their kids.

“She’s my daughter and we gotta do something to fight for her,” Wiese said, “and Michael [Krantz] shouldn’t be able to do this to other people.”

WHO 13 News reached out to Krantz by phone and email but did not hear back by the time the story aired. Steer ‘N’ Stein was under his co-ownership starting in 2023.

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