NYC Comptroller Releases Preliminary Decision on Prevailing Wage Rates for Staten Island Ferry Workers

New York, NY – In a preliminary decision, the New York City Comptroller Brad Lander found that Staten Island Ferry marine engineers are entitled to prevailing wage rates comparable to the rates earned by marine engineers operating in the NYC area. The Comptroller asked the Bureau of Labor Law, Office of Labor Relations, and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) to provide additional briefing and information to determine how the specific prevailing rate should be calculated within 30 days. 

“Engineers on the Staten Island Ferry are entitled to fair pay from the City of New York, in accordance with prevailing private sector rates. I have asked the parties to come back with additional information they believe we should consider in determining the appropriate prevailing wage rate for these workers,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. 

The New York City Comptroller sets and enforces prevailing wage law for public works projects and building service work on New York City government-funded work sites. The Marine Engineers Beneficial Association filed a complaint with the Comptroller’s office on behalf of mechanical engineers and chief engineers employed by the Staten Island Ferry in 2018. The Comptroller’s Bureau of Labor Law made a preliminary determination affording marine engineers similar prevailing wage rates to building engineers. MEBA disagreed with the determination and the parties brought the case to the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, where an administrative law judge heard the case and issued a report. Under the law, the Comptroller is responsible for issuing a final determination.  

The Comptroller’s interim decision and order is available here.

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