Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has made headlines once more, this time for reaching a settlement with Swissport USA, Inc. The company, well-known for its presence at Boston's Logan International Airport, is set to pay over $3.1 million in response to labor law violations. These violations included not only untimely wage payments but also failures to compensate workers for overtime hours. AG Campbell minced no words, stating, "When employers violate our laws, including through wage theft and untimely payments, workers are unfairly harmed, exploited, and financially deprived." This information was sourced from a news release published on the official website of the Attorney General's Office.
The investigation into Swissport's labor practices began after complaints were raised, notably by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 32BJ, and the affected workers of Logan Airport. "We thank Attorney General Andrea Campbell and her staff for taking this action," Assistant to the President of 32BJ SEIU, Roxana Rivera said, as per a press release. Her words further underlined the importance of the Attorney General's role in firmly to ensure compliance with wage and hour laws. Near all 2,100 Logan Airport employees of Swissport were impacted by these violations, with delayed payments and missing overtime rates disrupting their lives.
The AG's Office, committed to upholding the state's employment laws, has been persistent in its efforts to champion workers' rights. Assistant Attorney General Amy Goyer and Investigator Kimberly Lampereur, both of the AGO’s Fair Labor Division, were instrumental in this particular case. Their work speaks volumes about AG Campbell's dedication to protecting the workforce as part of her advocacy for economic justice. Earlier in the year, Campbell took action against well-known franchises like Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's, and Subway for child labor law issues. The Swissport case is only the latest in a series of enforcement efforts that have seen significant payouts for labor violations.
Massachusetts workers who suspect their rights have been infringed upon are encouraged to reach out and file a complaint with the AGO’s Fair Labor Division. For those needing guidance or further information, the AGO provides a hotline and a website with resources in multiple languages. AG Campbell's office is signaling to both employees and employers that such violations will not be tolerated and that every worker deserves to be treated according to the law. Interested individuals can find assistance at mass.gov/ago/fairlabor or by calling the Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465, as noted by the official AG's news release.
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