New York City has agreed to pay $6.2 million to settle a proposed collective action brought by a group of Rikers Island employees who alleged the city was late in paying their overtime wages, with approximately $1 million in overtime money remaining unpaid.
NYC Rikers Officers OT Suit : Settlement Details
The settlement involves the city and a group of 24 named plaintiffs along with more than 2,500 opt-in plaintiffs. These plaintiffs, who held positions as assistant deputy wardens, captains, or corrections officers at the city-run prison, jointly requested a Manhattan federal judge approve the settlement in a motion filed on Monday.
City’s Response and Legal Representation
Neither the city’s press office nor the counsel for the corrections staff immediately responded to requests for comment. The motion noted that the city denies any wrongdoing in the case.
Lawsuit Background
The lawsuit was initially filed in November 2020. The corrections officers claimed that overtime wages for a given week’s hours were not paid in the subsequent paycheck but were instead delayed until the following pay period. One officer alleged retaliation for his “numerous written and oral complaints” about the wage issue, including a transfer, denied overtime, and a two-rank demotion.
NYC Rikers Officers OT Suit : Legal Teams
The corrections officers are represented by Jason Abelove of the Law Offices of Jason Abelove PC, Steven Moser of Moser Law Firm PC, Yale Pollack of the Law Offices of Yale Pollack PC, and Paul Pagano of the Law Office of Paul Pagano PC. The city’s legal team includes Felice Ekelman, Adam Gross, and Annabel Stanley of Jackson Lewis PC.
NYC Rikers Officers OT Suit : Conclusion
The NYC Rikers Officers Suit highlights the ongoing issues related to the timely payment of wages, especially for those working in demanding public service roles. This settlement aims to resolve these disputes and compensate the affected Rikers Island employees for their unpaid overtime.
