NYT: Brooklyn Sweep Shows Local Focus in Fight on Labor Violations

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/nyregion/20labor.html?_r=2&fta=y&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Published: December 20, 2007

On a Brooklyn street cluttered with dollar stores and cuchifrito stands, New York State’s labor commissioner announced on Wednesday a stepped-up enforcement effort against neighborhood businesses that violate the state’s wage and hour laws.

At a news conference on Knickerbocker Avenue, the main commercial strip in Bushwick, the commissioner, M. Patricia Smith, said labor law violations had been found at 19 of 26 businesses inspected as part of a recent sweep in the neighborhood. She said the other seven retailers were still under review.

Among the infractions found were failures to pay the state’s minimum wage, $7.15 an hour, to pay time and a half for overtime and to keep proper records. Ms. Smith said several stores had paid employees $300 to $400 for working weeks of 60 to 72 hours.

“This new initiative is about targeting industries that do not play by the rules,” she said. “We will take action against employers who cheat their employees.”

Ms. Smith said the effort was part of Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s push to intensify labor enforcement, not just against wage claims but also companies that improperly classify employees as independent contractors and that do not pay workers’ compensation premiums.

The inspection of the 26 businesses uncovered more than $200,000 in violations, she said, adding that she expected that number to increase as her staff further studied the businesses’ wage records. Businesses with infractions will be required to pay fines, as well back wages to workers who suffered violations.

FULL story at link.

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. I'm afraid that initiative may have suffered Spitzer's fate n/t