New York Attorney General Letitia James has reached a $148,000 settlement with Southerntier Custom Fabricators, Inc., a sheet metal manufacturer based in Elmira, Chemung County. The company was found to have denied paid sick leave to approximately 200 unionized employees during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing these benefits to non-unionized workers.
The investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) revealed that from September 2020 to April 2022, Southerntier failed to offer paid sick leave benefits as required under New York Labor Law. This action impacted members of Sheet Metal Workers Local 112 and Local 58. Despite eventually amending its collective bargaining agreement, the company left unionized employees without essential sick leave for nearly two years.
“Every worker deserves equal access to sick leave, especially during a public health crisis,” stated Attorney General James. “By denying paid sick leave to its unionized workers, Southerntier violated its workers’ rights and put their health and safety at risk.”
As part of the settlement terms, Southerntier will provide $148,252.47 in restitution to affected employees and cover up to $13,000 in settlement administration costs. A claims process managed by a settlement administrator will ensure proper distribution of funds. The OAG retains the right to take legal action if Southerntier fails to meet payment obligations.
Attorney General James urges those who believe they are victims of labor law violations to contact her office via an online complaint or by calling (212) 416-8700.
This case is one among several recent actions taken by Attorney General James against exploitative labor practices across various industries in New York.
Assistant Attorney General Abigail Ramos managed this case under Deputy Bureau Chief Young Lee and Bureau Chief Karen Cacace’s supervision within the Labor Bureau of the Division for Social Justice.
