NYC Secures $419,000 for Bushwick Building Workers

City officials recovered back wages for 14 employees after an investigation into prevailing wage violations.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Unions

Isometric editorial illustration showing a pair of heavy work gloves resting on a brick masonry ledge. — New York City’s comptroller has secured $419,000 in back wages and benefits for 14 service workers at a Bushwick residential property. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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New York City’s comptroller has secured $419,000 in wage settlements for 14 building service workers employed at a Bushwick residential property. The funds cover back wages, benefits, civil penalties, and interest owed to the staff.

Why it matters

The settlement addresses failures by the building owner to provide required prevailing wages and supplemental benefits to workers at a property receiving city tax exemptions. It underscores the city’s commitment to enforcing labor standards for staff in subsidized housing.

The $419,000 settlement is divided into a $200,000 payment for one employee and $219,000 for a group of 13 door workers. The affected staff worked at an 87-unit building receiving a 15-year tax exemption through the city's 421-a housing program.

The players

New York City Comptroller

This office acts as the chief financial officer for the city, overseeing audits, government contracts, and the enforcement of labor law requirements.

1237 Myrtle Holding LLC

This is the corporate entity that owns the 87-unit residential property located at 960 Willoughby Ave in the Bushwick neighborhood.

The details

The Comptroller’s Office of Labor Law conducted the investigation, auditing payroll records to identify the violations at 960 Willoughby Ave. The owner, 1237 Myrtle Holding LLC, failed to meet legal wage requirements for staff employed between January 2022 and late 2025.

Underpayment of wages for building staff began in January 2022.
The underpayment period for one employee concluded in February 2025.
The underpayment period for 13 door workers concluded in November 2025.

Political Context

The city 421-a housing program provides tax incentives for developers to build affordable units in exchange for adherence to specific wage standards. This recovery action enforces the labor stipulations required by the 421-a housing program against property owners who violate those terms.

This settlement ensures that 14 service workers receive the back pay and benefits they are legally entitled to for their service. It demonstrates the city's regulatory oversight regarding labor compliance in properties that benefit from public tax exemptions.

The takeaway

Workers in buildings receiving city tax incentives are entitled to specific prevailing wages and benefits under local law. Employees who believe they are not receiving appropriate compensation can report violations to the city's labor law office for investigation.