Lockport, NY (WBEN) Two local state lawmakers are seeking answers after employees at Candlelight Cabinetry in Lockport were furloughed and final paychecks were not received.
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Paul Bologna are calling on New York State Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon to investigate the business practices of Lockport-based business Candlelight Cabinetry.
Bolonga says recent news reports have unveiled some concerning matters, among them, that an overwhelming majority of the 170 employees of Candlelight Cabinetry have been furloughed. Early last week, Ortt’s and Bologna’s offices were made aware of the furloughs, and some of these employees began contacting their offices saying that they have not received paychecks for final weeks of work.
Furthermore, several employees have reported that retirement deducted from paychecks plans have not been transferred into the appropriate plans, while others say that the health benefits they have been paying for have been inactive since at least November of last year.
“It is distressing to hear from employees of a well-known business in my district that they are struggling to receive the pay and benefits that they have worked for. These employees have gone to work every day and done everything the right way, yet it appears that they have been taken advantage of through no fault of their own. It is our duty as elected officials to ensure that these workers are protected, and if it is revealed that there has been any wrongdoing, those responsible must be held accountable. That is why we have made an official inquiry to the NYS Attorney General and the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Labor calling for oversight and an investigation,” says Ortt.
“When workers raise serious concerns about missing pay, benefits, or retirement contributions, it is our responsibility to ensure those concerns are reviewed by the appropriate authorities. Referring this matter to the Attorney General and Department of Labor is about protecting employees and allowing the proper process to determine the facts,” says Bologna.