Skycaps at John F. Kennedy International Airport landed some good news.
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a $925,000 settlement with the company that underpaid about 40 airport workers between 2008 and 2014.
According to Schneiderman, Alstate Maintenance paid the Skycaps “as little as $3.90 per hour,” an amount that is below the minimum wage ranging from $7.15 to $8 per hour during the six years covered by the investigation.
“I am committed to combating wage theft wherever and whenever we see it,” the attorney general said. “Airlines and the companies that operate our airports should make certain that the contractors they hire act responsibly.”
Schneiderman said the investigation began when several of the workers notified Local 32BJ, the Service Employee International Union, that they were not earning at least the minimum wage.
The settlement with Alstate includes reforms “to ensure that its workers are properly compensated,” the AG said.
Public Advocate Letitia James agreed with the calls for reforms.
“Many airport employees continue to be grossly underpaid, and it is particularly egregious that this contractor paid Skycaps below the legal minimum wage,” she said.
Skycaps received tips from passenger, but according to Schneiderman, the company failed to qualify for a tip credit “which would allow the company to pay workers at a lower hourly rate.”
The settlement consists of $625,000 in restitution money and $300,000 in damages, said the attorney general.
— Juan Soto
