NEWYORK: New York City Comptroller Mark Levine announced the Bureau of Labor Law (BLL) has settled five cases, recovering over $1 million for workers to whom companies owe back wages and interest, as well as civil penalties for the City of New York, since his term began in January.
Among the cases settled in Comptroller Levine’s first four months include a joint investigation between his office and the New York City Parks Department for underpayment of prevailing wages and supplemental benefits to 24 workers working on the Hunts Point Playground reconstruction in the Bronx.
As a result of the joint investigation, Amin Electrical Corp., Green Builders Group of NY Corp., and their prime contractor, D & S Restoration, settled for a total of $618,495.40 and the subcontractors were subsequently debarred for willfully violating prevailing wage laws and falsifying payroll records.
“At a time when the federal government is rolling back labor protections, the work of our Bureau of Labor Law is that much more important,” said Comptroller Mark Levine.
“Settling over $1 million on prevailing wage cases in just four months is no small feat and sends a strong message that the Comptroller’s Office remains steadfast in our commitment to fighting on workers’ behalf.”
“Creating and improving park spaces is essential to the wellbeing of New Yorkers, and it’s also imperative that contractors follow the law when working on these projects,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura.
“We were proud to collaborate with the Comptroller’s office on this investigation and grateful that hardworking New Yorkers will be getting the proper wages they deserve.”
“Local enforcement of labor protections is more critical than ever, and I am extremely proud of our team and their efforts to recover every dollar owed to workers,” said Claudia Henriquez, Director of Workers’ Rights at the Comptroller’s Bureau of Labor Law.
”Each milestone we hit is the culmination of a lot of hard work that ultimately begins with the bravery of workers standing up for their rights. The Bureau of Labor Law will continue to fight wage theft and ensure that employers benefitting from taxpayer dollars live up to their contractual obligations.”
