BOSTON — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has published the Office’s annual Labor Day Report, detailing initiatives taken to ensure fair treatment, pay, benefits, and safe working environments for workers across Massachusetts.
“Every case we initiate—be it for an individual or a large workforce—signals our commitment to protecting Massachusetts residents in the workplace,” stated AG Campbell. “This year, our office has achieved significant milestones, but our mission continues. We will persist in advocating for our workforce, ensuring that Massachusetts leads in protecting workers’ rights.”
Key Highlights from FY2024
During Fiscal Year 2024 (FY2024), which spans from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, AG Campbell’s Fair Labor Division (FLD) initiated civil enforcement actions against 638 employers, assisting 40,370 workers and recovering over $31.5 million in restitution and penalties.
The retail and sales sectors faced the largest share of enforcement actions at 26.2%, with delayed payment being the most frequently cited violation (487 citations).
Combating Exploitation
In December, the Office achieved its first conviction for labor trafficking since the 2012 enactment of An Act Relative to the Commercial Exploitation of People, which recognized human trafficking for sexual servitude and forced labor as criminal offenses under state law.
Furthermore, as part of AG Campbell’s commitment to fighting exploitation among at-risk groups, FLD led a coalition of 27 labor enforcement agencies advocating for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend the Deferred Action Program protection period for noncitizen victims and witnesses of labor violations from two years to four years. Many labor investigations can take years to resolve, and losing protective status during this timeframe could undermine investigations and leave law-breaking employers unpunished. Shortly after the coalition’s letter, DHS announced the extension of protection against deportation to four years.
Promoting Youth Employment
A key focus for AG Campbell is ensuring safe and healthy job opportunities for young people. In FY2024, FLD imposed over $3.6 million in penalties on employers violating child labor laws, with $2.7 million linked to numerous violations at Dunkin’ franchises. Additionally, the AGO’s Healthy Summer Youth Jobs grant program utilized funds from healthcare and child labor settlements to provide nearly $375,000 in grants to over 30 organizations focused on health-oriented employment for youth.
Significant Cases
The FLD achieved a landmark settlement with Uber and Lyft, concluding a prolonged misclassification lawsuit against the companies. The settlement halts their attempts to alter state employment laws and mandates a total payment of $175 million to the Commonwealth, primarily benefiting current and former drivers.
Moreover, following an extensive investigation, FLD reached a $6.8 million settlement with MGM Springfield regarding various wage and hour infractions affecting 2,036 employees, most of whom were service staff earning hourly wages.
FLD also issued citations totaling nearly $2.5 million to Concierge Services, Inc., a Plymouth-based staffing company for high-end properties, for multiple wage and hour violations occurring from January 2018 to December 2021, including during the COVID-19 crisis.
Community Outreach and Education
Alongside rigorous enforcement, the AGO hosted or participated in nearly 200 community engagement events focused on workers and employers, and conducted 206 compliance visits during FY2024. These initiatives emphasize the Office’s dedication not only to enforcement but also to educating both workers and employers about labor laws.
The Fair Labor Division comprises attorneys, investigators, and support staff committed to upholding state wage laws, including minimum wage, overtime, child labor, and earned sick leave, while also protecting employees from exploitation.
Workers who suspect their rights have been violated can reach the Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465. More information about state wage and labor laws is available in several languages at www.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor.