NY Governor Paterson Signs Wage Theft Bill Into Law

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/Story.aspx?ID=1326763

12/13/2010

Even as he continues to threaten to slash 900 state employee jobs. Governor David Paterson tried to portray himself as the workers champion Monday while he signed new wage protections into law in New York. Jesse Russell reports:

A study by the National Employment Law Project said that in New York City alone employers illegally withhold $1 billion in wages from low wage workers per year. Today New York's outgoing Governor David Paterson signed into law the Wage Theft Prevention Act which will provide additional protections for those workers. Workers who are shortchanged by their employers can claim 100 percent of wages as damages in court - an increase from 25 percent. Employers can also see fines of $5,000 and up to one-year in prison. The law will go into effect in 120 days. The New York Department of Labor has been one of the leading fighters for wage recovery in recent years. In 2009 the department boasted collecting a record $28.8 million in illegally withheld wages.
Even as he continues to threaten to slash 900 state employee jobs. Governor David Paterson tried to portray himself as the workers champion Monday while he signed new wage protections into law in New York. Jesse Russell reports:

A study by the National Employment Law Project said that in New York City alone employers illegally withhold $1 billion in wages from low wage workers per year. Today New York's outgoing Governor David Paterson signed into law the Wage Theft Prevention Act which will provide additional protections for those workers. Workers who are shortchanged by their employers can claim 100 percent of wages as damages in court - an increase from 25 percent. Employers can also see fines of $5,000 and up to one-year in prison. The law will go into effect in 120 days. The New York Department of Labor has been one of the leading fighters for wage recovery in recent years. In 2009 the department boasted collecting a record $28.8 million in illegally withheld wages.