News Summary
New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a $1.5 million settlement with Alba Services and owner Andrew Horan for violating workers’ rights. The company failed to adhere to state compensation laws, retaliated against injured workers, and neglected sexual harassment issues. The settlement includes $1.4 million in restitution for affected employees and mandates important reforms to improve compliance with labor laws. This case highlights systemic exploitation of workers, especially immigrants, and underscores the commitment to ensuring justice for vulnerable laborers in New York.
New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a significant settlement of $1.5 million with Alba Services, Incorporated, and its owner Andrew Horan, after the company was found to have violated workers’ rights multiple times. The settlement addresses serious infractions including breaches of State Workers’ Compensation Laws, retaliation against injured workers, and the failure to effectively address sexual harassment within the workplace.
The investigation into Alba Services, part of a network of construction and demolition companies in New York City, was initiated by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in 2022. This action was prompted by a referral from Construction & General Building Laborers’ Local 79. The findings from the OAG revealed troubling patterns of behavior, particularly concerning hundreds of employees, many of whom are immigrants, who experienced unfair treatment and were pressured to remain silent about the unsafe working conditions they faced.
As part of the settlement, Alba Services is mandated to pay $1.4 million in restitution to both current and former employees affected by these violations. Additionally, the company must pay $100,000 to cover the costs associated with managing the settlement. Significant reforms will also be required of Alba to ensure compliance with New York’s Labor and Human Rights Laws moving forward.
The investigation uncovered that between 2016 to 2024, Alba Services failed to report numerous workplace injuries as required by law to the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). Specifically, the OAG determined that the company reported less than half of the injuries that should have been disclosed, which allowed Alba to substantially reduce its insurance costs and gain an unfair advantage over its competitors. This disregard for regulations came at the direct expense of the workers’ health and safety.
Additionally, the OAG found evidence that Alba retaliated against employees who sought to file injury claims. This retaliation included harassment, threats, and offering financial incentives for workers to remain quiet about their injuries. There were also documented instances where Alba publicly named employees who filed claims, accusing them of fraud and even offering rewards for information related to their arrest. The OAG recorded at least 60 incidents where Alba unlawfully disclosed the names of workers.
Anthony Vita, the Business Manager for Laborers Local 79, noted that this settlement highlights the systemic exploitation faced by workers and marks a critical milestone towards achieving justice. Brendan Griffith, President of the New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, pointed out that the settlement acts as a clear reminder that no employer is above the law, underlining the necessity of accountability for neglecting the rights of workers.
Gary LaBarbera, President of the New York State Building Trades, praised the settlement as setting a precedent against abusive practices prevalent in the construction industry, asserting that such actions can no longer go unchecked.
Attorney General Letitia James’s decisive actions in this case reinforce a broader commitment to ensuring justice for all workers in New York City. With this landmark settlement, the OAG aims to protect workers’ rights and promote safe working environments across industries in the state.
In conclusion, the $1.5 million settlement against Alba Services serves to correct longstanding injustices faced by employees and sets the stage for more stringent adherence to labor laws in New York. This case exemplifies the ongoing efforts to safeguard the rights of vulnerable workers in the construction and demolition sectors, particularly those who may feel compelled to remain silent for fear of retribution.
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