NYC Comptroller Secures $52k+ in Back Wages, Benefits with F.I. Electrical Corp. Over Prevailing Wage Violations
New York, NY — F.I. Electrical Corp. (“F.I. Electrical”), a company contracted to do electrical work on two City-owned properties, reached a settlement with the New York City Comptroller’s Office for prevailing wage violations impacting six workers. The settlement payments total $52,350.44, including back wages, interest, and penalties for work performed at the end of 2019 and early 2020.
“Companies that deny workers their rightful wages on City funded projects undermine labor standards and fairness for all workers citywide,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “Every electrician deserves full pay for their work, and the settlement with F.I. Electrical shows that my office remains steadfast in our commitment to fight on behalf of the workers who make New York the greatest city in the world.”
“The Bureau of Labor Law takes its commitment of fair pay for workers contracted on New York City-funded projects very seriously,” said Claudia Henriquez, Director of Workers’ Rights at the Comptroller’s Bureau of Labor Law. “The settlement with F.I. Electrical serves as another reminder that companies who refuse to adhere to the standards set forth in the prevailing wage laws will be held accountable.”
F.I. Electrical Corp. performed electrical work for the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA) at the Susan B. Anthony School (I.S. 238Q), a public school in Hollis, Queens, from September of 2019, through September of 2020. F.I. Electrical also performed work on a City-owned industrial buildings managed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) located at 171-201 Powell Street, in East New York, Brooklyn from October 2019 through November of 2020.
On both sites, the wages paid to workers failed to meet the prevailing wage and benefit rates required by law. The records showed that F.I. Electrical Corp also made late or partial payments to the workers. F.I. Electrical agreed to pay a total settlement of $52,350.44, which includes full back wages to its six employees, interest, and statutory penalties.
This matter was handled by Investigator Richard Abbadessa, supervised by of Director of Investigations Francisco Gonzalez and with the support of Emily Chang, Agency Attorney and Amy Luo, Supervising Attorney. The audit of the underpayment was performed by Auditors Zhanna Shalomov and Ilona Stadnicka, supervised by Director of Audit Stuart Rimmer. The Bureau of Labor Law is overseen by Claudia Henriquez, Director of Workers’ Rights.
Under the New York Labor Law, the New York City Comptroller sets and enforces prevailing wage laws for public works projects and City-owned properties in the City of New York. If you have worked on a prevailing wage project and believe your employer has violated the law, you can file a complaint with the Comptroller’s Office here.
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