New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured a $1.4 million settlement for hundreds of construction workers who faced exploitation and abuse at Alba Services, a Manhattan-based demolition contractor. The announcement marks a major victory for worker protection advocates, especially for immigrant laborers who often face unsafe conditions and retaliation in the city’s competitive construction industry.
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The Attorney General’s investigation revealed that Alba Services underreported workplace injuries, retaliated against employees who filed workers’ compensation claims, and fostered a hostile work environment where employees were discouraged from speaking out. The settlement ensures that affected workers will receive back pay and compensation for the mistreatment they endured.
“This is not just about one company,” said a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office. “It’s about protecting the rights of every worker who contributes to building New York, regardless of their background or immigration status.”
The case drew support from labor organizations that have long fought against abuse in demolition and construction trades. Laborers Local 79, New York City’s largest construction and general building laborers’ union, praised the settlement as a hard-fought step toward industry accountability.
“This is a victory for every worker who’s been told to stay silent about dangerous job sites,” said Local 79 Business Manager Anthony Vita. “It sends a clear message that wage theft, intimidation, and harassment will not be tolerated in New York’s construction industry.”
The Alba Services case shines a spotlight on the broader challenges facing nonunion construction workers in New York. Advocates say that demolition and interior renovation work is often characterized by low wages, inadequate safety training, and pressure to cut corners to meet aggressive project deadlines.
Investigators found that workers at Alba Services were routinely discouraged from reporting injuries or unsafe conditions to regulators. Some were allegedly threatened with job loss or retaliation for speaking up, while others said they were forced to work without adequate safety equipment.
According to state officials, this conduct violated New York labor laws and workers’ compensation statutes, resulting in the $1.4 million restitution agreement. The settlement also includes requirements for improved safety compliance and independent oversight of the company’s labor practices moving forward.
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Attorney General James emphasized that her office will continue to pursue cases where workers face retaliation or exploitation. “Every worker in New York deserves fair treatment, safe conditions, and respect,” she said in a statement. “No employer should profit from intimidation or deceit.”
The New York City Central Labor Council (NYC CLC) and the AFL-CIO both issued statements commending the Attorney General’s Office for prioritizing the rights of vulnerable workers. They also reiterated the importance of enforcing labor protections in industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor.
Advocates hope the Alba Services settlement will deter similar violations across the state and encourage more workers to come forward when faced with exploitation. The decision aligns with a broader statewide effort to combat wage theft, workplace discrimination, and retaliation within the construction sector—a mission increasingly central to New York’s labor enforcement agenda.
The case follows a series of investigations by the Attorney General’s Office into unsafe construction practices, wage violations, and employer retaliation across New York City. Over the past year, the office has recovered tens of millions of dollars in back wages for exploited workers and strengthened partnerships with unions and advocacy groups to ensure fair treatment in all sectors of construction.
For Local 79 and its allies, the settlement is a reminder that organized labor remains one of the strongest defenders of worker safety and dignity. “This isn’t just about a single bad actor,” Vita said. “It’s about setting a precedent that protects every worker who risks their life on the job every day.”
Originally reported by NYC CLC, AFL-CIO.
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