New York City Comptroller Mark Levine announced the security of $419,000 in back wages and benefits, civil penalties and interest through two settlements involving prevailing wage violations at a residential building in Bushwick.
The settlements concern 14 building service workers at 960 Willoughby Ave., an 87-unit property owned by 1237 Myrtle Holding LLC. The company receives a 15-year tax exemption under the city’s 421-a housing program — a program established to encourage housing development while requiring eligible properties to meet certain labor standards.
The agreements involve the building owner, property manager Kai Management LLC and Ground Support Services LLC, doing business as Greater Shield LLC.
“Building service employees are on the front lines of keeping New Yorkers’ homes safe and clean,” said Comptroller Mark Levine. “We cannot tolerate building owners — especially those benefiting from tax breaks — denying these workers their rightful wages and benefits. My office remains steadfast in our commitment to fight on behalf of all workers who make New York the greatest city in the world.”
The first settlement totals $200,000 and addresses the failure to pay one building service employee the required wages and benefits from January 2022 to February 2025.
The second totals $219,000 and covers 13 door workers who were not paid the required prevailing wages and supplemental benefits from January 2022 to November 2025. Both settlements include interest and civil penalties.
The Comptroller’s Office of Labor Law investigated the cases, while auditors reviewed underpayments and calculated amounts owed. The investigation involved labor law investigator Cordie McCann, Senior Labor Attorney Kristyn Sanito and auditor Yevgeniya Braylovskaya, among other staff members.
The settlements resolve the cases through financial agreements and reinforce the importance of compliance with prevailing wage requirements.
Workers who believe they have been underpaid can contact the New York City Comptroller’s Office to learn about their rights and available complaint procedures.
