Executive Suite: Irv Miljoner
Irv Miljoner says his federal office, one of the nation’s busiest, has found more frequent minimum-wage violations by employers on Long Island in recent years: “And the severity is off the charts.” (Oct. 16, 2011) Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan
Irv Miljoner, head of the U.S. Department of Labor Long Island office, enforces federal labor laws here, and he says violations are on the rise.
Key targets for his office are employers who fail to pay employees minimum wage and overtime, or pay them off the books. Miljoner also said an increasing number of employers don't pay some workers at all.
Last week the labor department announced that an initiative focusing on Long Island pizza and pasta restaurants had recovered $2.3 million in back wages for 578 workers. The effort began in October 2010, and Miljoner's office conducted the investigations that led to the recoveries.
He said his office is one of the country's busiest. Of the estimated 140 cases the U.S. labor department's wage and hour division litigated in the fiscal year ended October 2010, almost a third, or 43, came from the Long Island office.
Miljoner, 59, has been district director since 1996. He spoke to Newsday about the challenges of labor-law enforcement.
Out East Show: Westhampton Beach Brew & Grille, Hallockville Museum Farm Bees, North Fork Foodie Tour, Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
