Lawsuit Filed Against New York Insulation, Nicks Insulation, Ariel Montoya, Inc. and AAH Construction

NEW YORK, May 28 NY-constructn-lawsuit


Class-Action Lawsuit Accuses Contractor for Multiple New York City Agencies of Violating Prevailing Wage Laws



NEW YORK, May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a sweeping class action lawsuit, several workers suing on behalf of  hundreds of New York City construction workers have charged NICKS INSULATION CORP. ("NICKS"), AAH CONSTRUCTION CORP. ("AAH"), ARIEL MONTOYA, INC. ("ARIEL"), NEW YORK INSULATION, INC., NEW YORK INSULATION, LLC, NEW YORK INSULATION & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. , ANTHONY CARDINALE the alleged principal owner of New York Insulation, and LAURA ILISHAEV the alleged principal owner of Nicks Insulation, with failure to pay workers the legally required prevailing wage and benefit rates as well as overtime rates on dozens of New York City construction projects.



The workers, who are represented by attorney Lloyd Ambinder, are alleging that New York Insulation, Nicks Insulation and the other defendant contractors engaged in a systematic pattern and practice of grossly underpaying prevailing wages and supplemental benefits.  These defendant employers should be aware of their legal obligation to pay prevailing wages and overtime compensation on publicly financed construction projects.  However, it is further alleged that each company paid only a fraction of the statutory wage to the workers, while failing to remit appropriate withholding taxes to the IRS and the Department of Taxation for unreported hours.  The workers intend to prove that these contractors derived windfall profits at the expense of both the workers and taxpayers who financed these contracts.



"To use taxpayers' money to break the law and rob workers of their legal rights is unconscionable," said Eli Kent, Director of Organizing for the Asbestos, Lead & Hazardous Waste Laborers Local 78.  "For years we have tried to bring this matter to the attention of the proper government officials.  But our concerns have been ignored.  It is unfortunate that it will take a class action lawsuit of this type to finally get the attention this matter deserves," Kent said.



Among the New York City & State agencies that have contracted with these defendant contractors are:  the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA); the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (NYCHPD); the New York City Department of Design & Construction (DDC); the New York State Office of General Services and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York



Throughout the five boroughs NY Insulation failed to pay its workers the legally required prevailing wage and benefits.  The list of jobsites consists of some of the City's largest properties including:  the Community Center Housing Project; Astoria, Houses; Queensbridge North Houses; Red Hook East & West Houses; Bayview Houses, Pink Houses at Loring Avenue; Lafayette Houses; Weeksville Garden Houses; South Beach Houses; Isaac Houses and Manhattan College. 



The lawsuit, which was filed in New York County Supreme Court, demands back wages and damages in the amount expected to exceed $2,000,000.



"No worker should be subjected to the mistreatment, abuse and unlawful activity that NY Insulation inflicted on its workers," said Edison Severino, Business Manager of Laborers Local 78.  "Hopefully this lawsuit will serve as a wake up call to New York City agencies and all contractors that abusing workers will not be tolerated," concluded Severino.





SOURCE  Asbestos, Lead & Hazardous Waste Laborers Local 78