WILLIAMSBURG — The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered nearly $215,000 in back wages for 25 workers employed as elevator mechanics by Robert Elevator Co. Inc. and Morgan Vertical Consultants Inc.
Robert Elevator was a subcontractor to Lindsay Park Housing Corp., which was performing work under a contract awarded by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (NYC DHPD) that was subject to the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1994.
The contract involved maintenance and repair of elevators located in seven buildings comprising Lindsay Park Housing Corp’s Mitchell-Lama Housing Complex in Williamsburg, and an investigation by the NYC DHPD disclosed violations during the period of March 20, 2002, through Aug. 5, 2003.
“An investigation initiated by the NYC DHPD revealed that Robert Elevator did not pay the 25 elevator mechanics the correct prevailing wages and fringe benefits during that period, including underpayments to 17 apprentices that were not registered or enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program,” said Phil Jacobson, the Wage and Hour Division’s district director in New York City. “When the company refused to pay the back wages, the agency referred the matter to the Wage and Hour Division for resolution.”
Negotiations to resolve the matter involving the Wage and Hour Division, the Labor Department’s Regional Solicitor’s Office, Lindsay Park Housing Corp. and Robert Elevator resulted in a settlement agreement approved by the department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges, which provides for the 25 workers to receive a total of $214,983 in back wages. The city of New York is currently withholding $184,983 that will be applied to the settlement. The balance of $30,000 will be paid by the prime contractor, Lindsay Park Housing Corp.
The Housing Act of 1994 incorporates the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires the payment of prevailing wages and benefits to laborers and mechanics employed on federal and certain federally funded projects. The Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division enforces the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).
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