Police investigating allegations of wage theft on city projects
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SEATTLE -- Police here are conducting a criminal investigation into allegations of inadequate wages paid to construction workers on housing projects financed by the city.
The mayor's office on Monday announced the investigation into allegations involving wages and worker conditions on two projects being developed by nonprofit housing providers.
"A day's work deserves a day's wage," said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn.
Carpenters and dry wall workers say they've been working 10 to 12 hours per day on city-financed housing projects, but have not been receiving full pay.
"We believe everyone should be paid for what they've earned," said Harry Hoffman of the Housing Development Consortium.
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, which tracks construction projects to ensure proper compensation, first raised the allegations.
"The issue that was addressed today focused in on two contractors: Leender's Dry Wall and Norogachi Construction," said union representative Jeff Kelley. Both companies have been put on notice and told they owe worker hundreds of thousands of dollars.
And the union has made additional accusations against the companies.
"In one instance with Norogachi Dry Wall, they physically assaulted an employee when they found out that he was talking with us. Leender's Dry Wall, when they found out an employee was going to be testifying to a federal agency, they threatened them with deportation," Kelleys aid.
No one at Norogachi Construction could be reached for comment.
David Leender of Leender's Dry Wall said the allegations are merely "lies."
"We take these allegations very seriously," said the mayor. "We've gathered evidence. We have referred some of these for criminal investigation."
A city ordinance against wage theft took effect in 2011.
The mayor's office on Monday announced the investigation into allegations involving wages and worker conditions on two projects being developed by nonprofit housing providers.
"A day's work deserves a day's wage," said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn.
Carpenters and dry wall workers say they've been working 10 to 12 hours per day on city-financed housing projects, but have not been receiving full pay.
"We believe everyone should be paid for what they've earned," said Harry Hoffman of the Housing Development Consortium.
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, which tracks construction projects to ensure proper compensation, first raised the allegations.
"The issue that was addressed today focused in on two contractors: Leender's Dry Wall and Norogachi Construction," said union representative Jeff Kelley. Both companies have been put on notice and told they owe worker hundreds of thousands of dollars.
And the union has made additional accusations against the companies.
"In one instance with Norogachi Dry Wall, they physically assaulted an employee when they found out that he was talking with us. Leender's Dry Wall, when they found out an employee was going to be testifying to a federal agency, they threatened them with deportation," Kelleys aid.
No one at Norogachi Construction could be reached for comment.
David Leender of Leender's Dry Wall said the allegations are merely "lies."
"We take these allegations very seriously," said the mayor. "We've gathered evidence. We have referred some of these for criminal investigation."
A city ordinance against wage theft took effect in 2011.
This 'investigation' is more likely the result of thuggery tactics on the part of unions who don't like competing with non-union contractors; happens all the time.
Why should taxpayers be forced to pay non-union labor at inflated union rates just because it's a city funded job? Because the city mandates it. Keep votin' 'em in! They keep stealin' your money!
If you bid on a prevailing wage job then you must pay ALL your employees prevailing wages...
Ahhhh, the employees are illegals. THAT'S why the employers thought they could get away with paying them less.
The company should also get in trouble for hiring illegals. Now that Obama refuses to deport illegals, they can now come out of the wood work and complain about all the injustices that happen to them.
"A day's work deserves a day's wage," said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. That being said Mike, how do YOU collect a paycheck?
@Takamine More like how do the tax payer get the money that he has been overpaid.
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/carpenters%E2%80%99-union-courts-immigrants-increase-clout
Look for the part about "forcing" nonunion contractors to become union.Â
@Citizen#3457899654Â We can look for it but the union cant force a contractor to sign an agreement under the law. Some of the wealthiest guys living around here are union contractors while some of the poorest are non union contractors. Tell me, do you imagine there is reason why a rich contractor would want to keep that to himself while he is hustling up to the union hall to sign the successor agreements every time the existing one expires?
Ummm, just a thought, but isn't this the job of L&I to investigate wage and labor law issues? Â I would think that the City should have contacted L&I to have them investigate. Â That's their job. Â Let the Seattle PD do THEIR job. Â Â
@chiapetto Ya Think, I have been in the trades for quite some time. Besides that, who would live in something like that? A liberal progressive?
@Tolly371 @chiapetto no you haven't and you don't work for a living. why do you hate working folks so much?