Labor News & Articles

US DOL Announces Major Madoff-Related Benefit Funds Case Settlement

In a settlement that “should go a long way toward making victims financially whole and, hopefully, closing a painful chapter for many workers and families”, US DOL Assistant Secretary of Labor Phyllis Borzi and the NYS Attorney General’s Office announced a settlement that will net over $220 million dollars for Taft-Hartley funds — many in… Read more »

Major USDOL Wage and Hour Settlement

The US Department of Labor entered into a settlement with a major affordable housing industry prime contractor/developer – Lettire Construction — that has held Lettire responsible, as a prime contractor, for the liability of its subcontractors. As a part of the settlement, Lettire is responsible for the wage underpayments of all of its subcontractors. A… Read more »

Volunteer Firehouse Construction Deemed Public Work

In an important decision, the Appellate Division Third Department upheld the Department of Labor’s determination that construction work on a volunteer firehouse was public work subject to the mandates of Article 8 of the Labor Law (the “Prevailing Wage Law”).  In MATTER OF M.G.M. INSULATION, INC. v. GARDNER, 2011 NY Slip Op 05996, (July 21,… Read more »

Governor Cuomo Launches Long Island Regional Economic Development Council

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today launched his Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, which will redesign the relationship between the state government and businesses to stimulate regional economic development and create jobs statewide. The Governor was joined by local officials, business leaders, and community members to launch the Regional Council at the SUNY College at… Read more »

Hospitality Wage Order Finalized

The New York State Department of Labor, adopting many of the recommendations made by the 2009 Wage Board (which included ABGL attorney James W. Versocki), has finalized the new Hospitality Wage Order.  The new order will impact both the restaurant and hotel industries and their work force.  The new Hospitality Wage order contains some major… Read more »

Restaurant Wage Board Regulations Posted

The NYS Department of Labor has posted the proposed regulations that will impact the Restaurant and Hotel Industries.  These regulations were compiled after receiving recommendations from the NYS Wage Board, which included ABGL attorney James W. Versocki.  Please do not hesitate to contact ABGL with any questions on these regulations. A link to the proposed… Read more »

Contractor Arrested in Rockland County

The NYS Department of Labor and the Rockland County District Attorney worked together to arrest another public work contractorwho allegedly stole money from workers.  A copy of the article is provided below:   Contractor Arrested in Wage Violations Scheme in Rockland County 66 Workers Cheated out of $298,000   ALBANY, NY (09/07/2010)(readMedia)– Rockland County District… Read more »

Project Labor Agreement Update: Final Rule Issued

A final rule (published in the April 13 Federal Register (75 Fed. Reg. 19168)) has been published that delineates the parameters for use of project labor agreement on federal projects costing $25 million or more.  Under the rule, which implements Executive Order 13502 — agencies are encouraged to utilize project labor agreements (PLAs) on such… Read more »

NLRB Appointments

On Saturday, March 27, 2010, President Obama appointed two lawyers – Mark Pearce of Buffalo, NY and Craig Becker — to serve terms on the National Labor Relations Board.  Their appointment means the NLRB will have an official quorum for the first time since 2007.  These appointments have the ability to vastly impact the operation… Read more »

$9.75 Million Minority Subcontracting Settlement

On November 5, 2009, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced a $9.75 million settlement with Tutor Perini Corp. , a publicly traded construction services company, to settle civil claims of falsely reporting that it had subcontracted work on federally funded transportation projects to minority and disadvantaged business enterprises.  The… Read more »