Construction workers employed on NYPD building projects will receive a collective settlement of $900,000 in compensation for unpaid wages.
In a significant move to uphold workers' rights, City Comptroller Brad Lander's office has brokered a settlement of approximately $900,000 between 22 workers and contractor CLS Project Solutions, over unpaid wages during renovation work at NYPD precincts and department headquarters.
The underpayments, which occurred over a two-year period from October 2018 to November 2020, have resulted in a combined back wage payment of $645,000 for the affected workers. In addition, the workers will receive $118,000 in interest payments.
CLS Project Solutions, the prime contractor on the precincts work, subcontracted the work to ICP Construction. Under the city's prevailing wage structure, the workers were entitled to $38.40 an hour, plus benefits equating to another $31.04 an hour, for a combined total of $69.44 an hour.
The settlement also includes a $92,000 civil penalty. In addition to the civil penalty, the general contractor, T. Moriarty & Associates, was assessed a "finding of willfulness."
This settlement brings the total of settlements brokered by the comptroller's office on behalf of unpaid workers since Lander took office in 2022 to $15 million. Two such findings or designations within a six-year period can result in the contractor being barred from doing business with the city.
The workers who were shortchanged were mostly Spanish-speaking immigrants. Workers' rights advocates, such as Hildalyn Colon from New Immigrant Community Empowerment, have pointed out that these laborers are frequently taken advantage of because they may lack legal immigration status. Colon stated that contractors or subcontractors often "milk the contract" by shortchanging workers.
Colon also mentioned that contractors do this because they know that immigrants may not be aware that working in certain facilities can earn them more money. In light of this, Lander's office directed workers to the comptroller's website to know what their rights are or to file a wage complaint.
One employee received $187,000 in back wages from the settlement, while another worker received $110,000, according to the comptroller's office. This settlement underscores the importance of ensuring fair wages and labour practices for all workers in the city.
