Source: https://www.scribd.com/doc/72809820/Apple-Et-Al-v-AYDC-Et-Al
Timestamp: 2017-08-23 22:42:20
Document Index: 670718242

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 216', '§ 206', '§ 652', '§ 349', '§ 1331', '§ 1367', '§ 1391', '§ 206', '§ 650', '§ 349', '§ 349', '§ 349', '§ 349', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 206', '§ 206', '§ 216', '§ 652', '§ 663', '§ 349', '§349', '§ 216', '§ 663', '§ 349', '§ 349']

Apple Et Al v AYDC Et Al
Description: Lawsuit against BUILD, others, 11/15/11
Lawsuit against BUILD, others, 11/15/11
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORI( ANDREW APPLE; PASCAL ARMSTRONG; MAURICE GRIFFIN ; KATHLEEN
NOREIGA; KIMRON PRIME; JONATHAN SILVA; and CLARENCE STEWART; Plaintiffs,
ATLANTIC YARDS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY,-LLCBROOKL YN ARENA LLC; BROOKL YN UNITED FOR INNOVATIVE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT; JAMES CALDWELL; FOREST CITY RATNER COMPANIES, LLC; FOREST CITY ENTERPRISES, INC.; GAUSIA JONES; JANE MARSHALL; ORBIN'S BIG GREEN MACHINE; and BRUCE RATNER; Defendants.
PRELIMINARY 1.
Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated under 29
U.S. C. § 216(b), bring this action to recover unpaid wages for work performed for Defendants. Plaintiffs also bring this action to recover damages based on broken promises
made by Defendants to induce Plaintiffs to participate in a sham employment training program. 2. For roughly two months Plaintiffs were employed by Defendants in the
construction of a house in Staten Island, yet they received no wages or other compensation for their work. Although the work was performed under the aegis of what Defendants called a "Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program" ("PATP"), as Defendants knew, Plaintiffs
were already fully capable of performing construction work, and, in fact, most of the
Plaintiffs already had extensive training and/or experience in construction work. The sole inducement for Plaintiffs' work was Defendants' unequivocal and repeated promise that if Plaintiffs performed the work as directed and otherwise fulfilled all requirements of the PATP, each would be provided membership in building trades unions whose workers would be employed in the Atlantic Yards Project. Despite Plaintiffs' full performance of all requirements of the PATP, however, Defendants failed to provide the promised union memberships. 3. performed. Defendants are therefore liable to Plaintiffs for unpaid wages for the work they Defendants are also liable for damages arising from their failure to fulfill their
promises to arrange for issuance of union cards or to provide access to any comparable employment opportunities. Plaintiffs bring this action under the minimum wage
provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA"), 29 U.S.C. § 206, and New York Labor Law § 652, the anti-deceptive practices provisions of New York General Business Law § 349, and for breach of contract. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 4. This COUlihas jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 for
civil actions arising under the laws of the United States. This COUlihas supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiffs' state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a). 5. Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.c. § 1391 because
Defendants recruited, hired, and employed Plaintiffs in this District.
PARTIES Plaintjffs 6. Plaintiff Andrew Apple is twenty-four years old and a resident of Brooklyn. Mr. Apple participated in the PATP. Prior to his
Mr. Apple is African-American.
participation in the PATP, Mr. Apple had already worked as a carpenter for approximately six to eight months. 7. Plaintiff Pascal Armstrong is twenty-eight years old. Mr. Armstrong is Mr. Armstrong participated in the PATP. Mr. Armstrong has resided
in Brooklyn since 1991. Prior to his participation in the PATP, Mr. Armstrong already had extensive experience in the construction industry, including being the foreman of a 100worker crew. 8. Plaintiff Maurice Griffin is twenty-three years old. Mr. Griffin was born in
Brooklyn and is a resident of Brooklyn. Mr. Griffin is biracial. Mr. Griffin participated in the PATP. Prior to his participation in the PATP, Mr. Griffin had graduated from a vocational program in carpentry, and had worked as a carpenter for at least three years. Mr. Griffin decided to quit his carpentry work in order to participate in the PATP, based on the promises of union membership. 9. Plaintiff Kathleen Noreiga is fifty-eight years old and a resident of Brooklyn.
Ms. Noreiga has lived in Brooklyn since she moved to the United States at age eighteen. Ms. Noreiga is Caribbean-American. Ms. Noreiga participated in the PATP. Prior to her
participation in the PATP, Ms. Noreiga had received 600 hours of training for certification as an electrician, and had worked for more than a year as a certified electrician.
Plaintiff Kimron Prime is twenty-six years old and has been a resident of Mr. Prime participated in the
Brooklyn since 2005. Mr. Prime is Caribbean-American.
PATP. Prior to his participation in the PATP, Mr. Prime attended a trade school where he learned basic electrical and plumbing work, and had work experience in bricklaying and carpentry. 11. Plaintiff Jonathan Silva is thirty-five years old and a resident of Brooklyn. Mr. Silva participated in the PATP. Mr. Silva worked as
Mr. Silva is African-American.
an apprentice to an electrician for three years. 12. Plaintiff Clarence Stewart is forty-six years old and a resident of Burlington
Township, New Jersey. Mr. Stewart was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up on Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. During the time period relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Stewart resided at his childhood home on Pacific Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Stewart is African-American. Mr. Stewart participated in the PATP. Prior
to his participation in the PATP, Mr. Stewart had already successfully completed a 15month construction industry pre-apprenticeship program. Mr. Stewart quit his job as a maintenance worker so that he could participate in the PATP. Defendants 13. Defendant Atlantic Yards Development Company, LLC is a Delaware
limited liability company formed on June 23, 2006. Defendant Atlantic Yards Development Company, LLC has an office at c/o Forest City Ratner Companies, One Metrotech Center North, Brooklyn, New York 1120l. At all relevant times, Atlantic Yards Development Co., LLC was, and continues to be, "an enterprise engaged in commerce" within the meaning of the FLSA.
Defendant Brooklyn Arena LLC is a Delaware limited liability company
formed on November 12, 2004. Defendant Brooklyn Arena LLC has an office at c/o Forest City Ratner Companies, One Metrotech Center North, Brooklyn, New York 11201. At all relevant times, Brooklyn Arena LLC was, and continues to be, "an enterprise engaged in commerce" within the meaning of the FLSA. 15. Defendant Brooklyn United for Innovative Local Development ("BUILD") is
a not-for-profit corporation formed on August 30,2004, and organized under the laws of the State of New York. BUILD is located at 485 Hudson Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11217. 16. Defendant James Caldwell is the Chief Executive Officer of BUILD. At all
relevant times, James Caldwell had power over personnel decisions in the PATP, including the power to hire and fire, establish and pay wages, establish work schedules, and maintain records. 17. Defendant Forest City Ratner Companies LLC ("FCRC") is a New York
limited liability company formed on November 6,2006 and organized under the laws of the State of New York. FCRC has offices located at One MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201. At all relevant times FCRC was, and continues to be, "an enterprise engaged in commerce" within the meaning of the FLSA. 18. Defendant Forest City Enterprises, Inc. ("FCE") is a publicly traded real
estate company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and incorporated under the laws of Ohio. FCE common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. At all relevant times FCE was, and continues to be, "an enterprise engaged in commerce" within the meaning of the FLSA.
Defendant Gausia Jones is the owner of Orb in's Big Green Machine
Construction and Remodeling Inc. Defendant Jones supervised the PATP participants in their work on Staten Island. At all relevant times, Gausia Jones had power over personnel decisions in the PATP, including the power to hire and fire, establish and pay wages, establish work schedules, and maintain records. 2l. Defendant Jane Marshall is the Senior Vice President of Commercial and
Residential Development of Defendant Forest City Ratner Companies, LLC and at Defendant Forest City Enterprises, Inc. At all relevant times, Jane Marshall had power over personnel decisions in the PATP, including the power to hire and fire, establish and pay wages, establish work schedules, and maintain records. 22. Upon information and belief, Defendant Orbin's Big Green Machine is an
unincorporated construction and remodeling business located at 365 Waverly Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11238. 23. Defendant Bruce Ratner is chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forest
City Ratner Companies LLC, the N ew York City subsidiary of Forest City Enterprises, Inc. He is also a member of the board of directors of Forest City Enterprises. At all
relevant times, Bruce Ratner had power over personnel decisions at the Atlantic Yards Development Co. LLC, Brooklyn Arena LLC, and Forest City Ratner Companies, including the power to hire and fire, establish and pay wages, establish work schedules, and maintain records. 24. Defendants Atlantic Yards Development Company LLC, Brooklyn Arena
LLC, Forest City Ratner Companies, Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Jane Marshall and Bruce Ratner are hereinafter referred to, collectively, as "the Developers." At all times
relevant to this action, the Developers, BUILD, and Orbin's Big Green Machine operated as a j oint integrated enterprise. These Defendants operated as a single integrated enterprise, with common offices (or offices in buildings owned by co-defendants), shared equipment, centralized control of labor relations and personnel management, and centralized financial control.
25. Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") in 1938 in order to
protect workers from substandard wages, oppressive working hours, and labor conditions detrimental to the maintenance of a minimum standard of living. The statute has both remedial and humanitarian purposes designed to protect human dignity. 26. At the heart of the FLSA are provisions requiring employers to pay a
minimum wage and setting overtime pay rates. 29 U.S.C. § 206. Since July 25,2008, the minimum wage has been set at $7.25 per hour. The FLSA also requires that employers pay their employees one and a half times the hourly rate of pay for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. 27. The FLSA provides a private cause of action for individuals whose
employers violate the wage and hour provisions of the FLSA. Specifically, such employers are liable to their employees for any unpaid wages or unpaid overtime compensation. In addition, employers are liable to pay an additional equal amount in
liquidated damages to uncompensated or undercompensated employees. 28. The New York Labor Law's minimum wage and overtime provisions were
enacted to eliminate the condition of uncompensated or undercompensated work. In passing the minimum and overtime wage provisions, the New York Legislature
emphasized that uncompensated labor harms workers and endangers the well-being of society as a whole. NYLL § 650. The Legislature found: There are persons employed in some occupations in the state of New York at wages insufficient to provide adequate maintenance for themselves and their families. Such employment impairs the health, efficiency, and well-being of the persons so employed, constitutes unfair competition against other employers and their employees, threatens the stability of industry, reduces the purchasing power of employees, and requires, in many instances, that wages be supplemented by the payment of public moneys for relief or other public and private assistance. Employment of persons at these insufficient rates of pay threatens the health and well-being of the people of this state and injures the overall economy. 29. New York keys its minimum wage provisions to the standard announced in
the FLSA. Thus, the minimum wage in New York is currently $7.25 per hour. Likewise, New York mirrors the federal guidelines for overtime compensation. New York frames its labor laws in terms of a full day's work. Thus, overtime compensation must be provided for hours worked in excess of eight hours in a day. 30. The New York State Legislature enacted the Consumer Protection Act -
Article 22A of the General Business Law - to protect consumers from injuries caused by deceptive acts and practices. General Business Law § 349. 31. Section 349 prohibits covered entities from engaging in "[ d]eceptive acts or
practices in the conduct of any business, trade or commerce or in the fumishing of any service in this state." General Business Law § 349(a). The statute applies broadly to "all deceptive acts or practices declared to be unlawful, whether or not subject to any other law of this state." General Business Law § 349(g). 32. "Any person who has been injured" by the deceptive acts and practices
covered by the statute can bring an action to "recover his actual damages." General Business Law § 349(h).
FACTS The Atlantic Yards Project 33. In December 2003, Bruce Ratner announced the Atlantic Yards Project ("the
Project" or "A YP"). As initially announced, the development would have been the largest single-source development in New York City history. According to the Developers, the Project was to occupy twenty-two acres in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, and was to include an 18,000-seat arena and sixteen skyscrapers with residential and commercial space. 34. In the seven and a half years since the AYP was announced the Developers'
plans have become more modest, and the number of buildings to be constructed is likely to be significantly fewer than the sixteen originally planned. At present, the arena for the New Jersey Nets ("the Arena") is being constructed at the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues. 35. The announcement of the Project immediately provoked opposition from
residents of the surrounding neighborhoods, in part because the Project required the demolition of many existing buildings and the dislocation of numerous tenants, homeowners, and local businesses. 36. In order to make the Project more palatable, the Developers made a number
of claims and promises. Among the more notable of these was the Developers' promise that the Project would bring upwards often thousand jobs to Brooklyn. In a flyer mailed to thousands of Brooklyn homes in 2004, the Developers claimed that no less than 10,000 permanent jobs and 15,000 construction jobs would be created by the project. The same and similar claims were made in official documents, press releases, and other documents, including a March 11,2010, press release in which FCRC and related entities claimed that
8,000 permanent jobs and 17,000 union construction jobs would be created. The promise of large-scale job creation was a major selling point to community members and politicians. The Community Benefits Agreement 37. As a part of the Developers' attempts to assuage residents and win the
support oflocal politicians who still had doubts about the Project, the Developers entered into what they called a "Community Benefits Agreement" ("CBA"), promising to provide certain benefits to the community. The CBA was negotiated primarily with organizations that had not actually existed prior to the Project's announcement, including Defendant BUILD. In fact, many of the organizations that ultimately signed the CBA were recipients of funding from the Developers or were bankrolled entirely by the Developers. Indeed, six of the eight organizations that signed the CBA had been created at the same time as the Project, and received money from the Developers during the process. Thus, the Developers were negotiating with entities of their own creation. 38. While the organizations that signed the CBA at least existed as entities
when the agreement was executed, Defendant Atlantic Yards Development Company LLC, designated as the "Project Developer" in the CBA, did not. The CBA was executed by Bruce Ratner on behalf of a then fictional entity called "Atlantic Yards Development Co. LLC, a New York limited liability company, having an office at c/o Forest City Ratner Companies," as of June 27, 2005. According to the records of the New York State Department of State, however, Atlantic Yards Development Company, LLC, a Delaware LLC, was not created until almost a year later, on June 23, 2006. Atlantic Yards
Development Company LLC's alleged parent company, Forest City Ratner Companies, LLC, was not created until even later, on November 6, 2006. 39. In the CBA, the Developers promise, among other things, to create the
PATP. This program was to be created by the Developers and BUILD, in order to "train Community residents for construction jobs within the Arena and Project." The CBA refers to "the Developers" (a term defined to include Defendants Atlantic Yards Development Co., LLC and Brooklyn Arena LLC) and BUILD several times as the entities responsible for initiating, coordinating, enrolling residents, and securing funding for the PATP: Commencing upon execution of this Agreement, Developers and BUILD shall initiate and coordinate a job training program to train Community residents for construction jobs within the Arena and Project. ... The Developers and BUILD shall make every effort to enroll Community residents according to the priority specified in Section IV, Part A(2) .... The Developers and BUILD will seek and secure adequate public and/or private funding for this initiative. 40. The CBA additionally states that "Developers shall assist BUILD in finding
suitable space within the Community to operate this program." Further, the CBA announces that Defendant Atlantic Yards Development Co., LLC "will meet and confer with BUILD regarding providing reasonable space for the duration of the initiative, but [Atlantic Yards Development Co. LLC] may decide in its sole and absolute discretion on the terms it would be willing to provide such space." The CBA thus lays out a mechanism by which the Developers exeli control over the conditions of employment for participants in the PATP, including the space where participants work, the enrollment of participants, and the funding to pay participants.
The CBA also provides that the Developers can terminate the agreement by
paying signatories a certain amount of money. 42. The CBA requires the selection of an Independent Compliance Monitor
("ICM") to ensure that the Developers comply with the CBA, "[a]s soon as reasonably practicable after formation of the Executive Committee." 43. The CBA establishes the following as a criterion of evaluation for the
success of the PATP: "The Developers will prepare and submit to the coalition and the ICM a status report which ... shall include ... number of Community residents presently enrolled in the Pre Apprentice Training initiative; Community Boards in which they reside and percentage of Minority (by category) and women workers; household income; number who successfully completed such initiative, and number who obtained jobs at the Project Site; successful participants length of current employment at the Project Site; percentage of successful participants as to number of total apprentices at Project Site .... " 44. The CBA places primary responsibility for the PATP on the Developers. For
example, the CBA states that if one of the Developers "has not adequately fulfilled its obligations under this initiative, such Developer shall pay to the Executive Committee, as liquidated damages for such failure, in accordance with Section XIII, Part C below, the sum of $500,000 to be used by BUILD to fund the Pre-Apprentice Training initiative." 45. Despite the directive in the CBA, to date, no ICM has been selected. As a
consequence, there is currently no oversight or means of enforcement of the CBA. 46. The CBA specifies that the Developers "intend to negotiate with the NYC
Building Trades Council ("Trades Council") to enter into a Project Labor Agreement ("PLA") for the Arena and the Project to provide for uniformity of wages and benefits and
The CBA goes on to specify that "[i]t
is the intention Apprentice
that the Trades Council will accept workers from the Preapprentice program."
Training initiative into the Trade Council's
47. development advancement 48. supporting financial Under the CBA, BUILD is the entity responsible - including job development initiatives." On its website, BUILD describes development self-sufficiency 49. itself as "an organization opportunities depressed committed to promote communities." 20, to for "workforce retention, and
and training, placement,
as a means of creating economic and prosperity
in socio-economically
BUILD was created in 2004 with money from FCRC. to the Internal Revenue
2004, BUILD represented $2,524,000.00 contributions.
Service that it expected to receive
in 2005 and $2,524,000.00 Defendant Caldwell's
in 2006 from FCRC in the form of direct
salary, along with any other salaries that BUILD
paid, were to be drawn from these funds. 50. On October 14,2005, the New York Times reported that "two months after $100,000 to the group. The company also
the [CBA] was signed, Forest City disbursed provided
space for and is paying the overhead of a new Build office near the Atlantic on statements made by Joe DePlasco, to manage publicity of Dan for the
Yards site." The Times based its reporting Klores Communications, AYP.
a company hired by the Developers
For tax years 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009, BUILD represented to the IRS
that its main office was located at 640 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, New York. This building is owned by a subsidiary of Forest City Ratner Companies, Brooklyn Arena Sub A LLC. 52. For tax year 2007, and according to its current website, BUILD represented
to the IRS that its main office was located at 485 Hudson Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. This property is owned by a subsidiary of Forest City Ratner Companies LLC, 625 Fulton Associates LLC. 53. BUILD convened its first community meeting on January 29,2004. Eleven
days later, BUILD held a press conference to aIIDOUnCecommunity support for the Nets " Arena and Atlantic Yards Development Project." Eleven days after this, BUILD testified at Borough Hall in support of the Atlantic Yards Project. BUILD was supportive of the Project from its creation and was essentially created to see the Project into fruition. Recruitment for the Pre-Apprentice Training Program 54. In July 2010, BUILD began recruitment for the PATP. Chantal Desdunes, a
BUILD employee, sent recruitment letters to individuals on BUILD's mailing list. The letter stated: "After many years of delay, we are preparing to launch a pilot of the PreApprentice Training Program for people interested in training for employment in the construction building trades." The letter invited recipients to attend
on August 4, 2010 at St. Theresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn. 55. The August 4 information session was attended by hundreds of prospective
participants, including many of the Plaintiffs. Not long after the information session, prospective participants were invited to take
aptitude test to determine if they were
eligible for the PATP. Again, hundreds of people showed up, this time to take the PATP test. 56. People who passed the PATP test were invited to an orientation session,
which most Plaintiffs attended. BUILD employees Chantel Lewis and Chantal Desdunes, BUILD Chief Executive Officer James Caldwell, and BUILD Chief Operations Officer Marie Louis were present at the orientation session. At the session, Caldwell told the attendees that the PATP was "the opportunity of a lifetime," and promised that at the end of the PATP, they would each get ajob at the Atlantic Yards Construction Site (A'YCfi). He further promised them membership in one of the primary unions at the site, namely the laborers' union, the electricians' union, and the carpenters' union. Caldwell told the attendees that, in light of the wages paid to unionized construction workers, they should "prepare to be millionaires." Chantel Lewis and Marie Louis echoed Caldwell's promises
that participants would be given union cards upon completion of the PATP. 57. Some prospective participants in the PATP spoke with Caldwell individually
before enrolling in the PATP. One of those meeting with Caldwell was Ms. Noreiga. During their conversation, Caldwell reiterated the promise that had been made to all the PATP participants before they joined the program, namely union jobs at the AYCS, and assured her that she would be among those given such ajob. Mr. Griffin also met with Caldwell. When Mr. Griffin asked Caldwell ifhe would need to apply for union membership after completing the PATP, Caldwell responded: "you do not have to apply to a union. There are thirty construction books reserved for graduates of this class." Mr. Stewart did not attend the orientation session, but when he spoke with Caldwell soon afterwards, Caldwell told Mr. Stewart, "We can get you ajob."
At the orientation session, Caldwell referred repeatedly to the Developers.
For instance, Caldwell told the prospective participants that they would receive hands-on training at a worksite provided by the Developers. Caldwell also referred to the PATP as
his "baby" and stated that "Bruce knows this is my baby." Plaintiffs understood "Bruce" to be a reference to Defendant Ratner. 59. Defendant Jane Marshall, the Senior Vice President of Commercial and
Residential Development of Forest City Enterprises, Inc. as well as Forest City Ratner Companies LLC, also attended the orientation session and represented to the prospective participants that the Project would provide construction work for ten years. Defendant Marshall echoed Defendant Caldwell's promises that PATP participants would get union jobs at the AYCS upon completion of the program. When asked about union cards, Marshall promised Plaintiff Griffin that he would be entitled to a union card upon completion of the project. 60. After attending the orientation session, Plaintiffs decided to participate in the
PATP. Plaintiff Armstrong decided to participate because he wanted to join the ironworkers' union, and believed, based on the representation of Caldwell and other employees of BUILD and the Developers, that the PATP would allow him to join the ironworkers' union. PlaintiffNoreiga decided to participate because she had regularly
attended BUILD meetings, events, and rallies since 2004, and believed the promises of jobs and union memberships made by Caldwell and others from BUILD and the Developers. Plaintiff Noreiga believed that the PATP would help lift her out of poverty. 61. Several Plaintiffs quit jobs in order to participate in the PATP, because of
Caldwell's, BUILD's, and Marshall's promises that they would receive union cards upon
completion of the PATP. For instance, Mr. Griffin had work as a carpenter through Tradesource, but he quit his work in order to participate in the PATP so that he could gain admittance to a union. Mr. Prime turned down a job offer for a position in building maintenance because Caldwell and others represented to him that if he emolled in the PATP he would be guaranteed a high-paying union job at the end. Mr. Stewart quit a job doing maintenance work in order to participate in the PATP so that he could gain admittance to a union. 62. The unemployment rate in Kings County is 9.6% - the third highest of New
York State's sixty-two counties. Studies have found that the unemployment rate is markedly higher among young African-American men than the general number would suggest. In 2010, in New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined
Statistical Area, the mean hourly wage for union construction work was $37.15 whereas that for nonunion construction work was only $24.09 - a full $13.00 per hour more, or 54% more pay per hour, for workers in unions. 63. Plaintiffs reasonably relied on the representations of BUILD and the
Developers, as well as their officers and employees, regarding future employment and future induction into a union. Their reliance was founded on promises made explicitly in the CBA and on public statements made by officers of the Developers and public figures endorsing the Atlantic Yards project. In its description of the PATP, the CBA promises that "commencing upon execution of this Agreement, Developers and BUILD shall initiate and coordinate a job training program to train community residents for construction jobs within the Arena and Project .... " The CBA then commits the Developers to securing a partnership with various construction unions that will provide union access to PATP
participants: the "Developers intend to negotiate with the NYC Building Trades Council ("Trades Council") to enter into a Project Labor Agreement ("PLA") for the Arena and the Project to provide for uniformity of wages and benefits and to promote employment of Community residents. It is the intention of the Developers that the Trades Council will accept workers from the Pre-Apprentice Training initiative into the Trades Council's apprentice program." After the CBA was signed, Bruce Ratner and Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a press conference at which Ratner stated, "It [the CBA] is legally binding. . .. It has in some cases economic penalties, it has mediation, as well as the ability of community groups to litigate and get an orderable injunction, and we hope to see the goals fulfilled, and if we don't, litigation can be used." In order to underscore the import of the CBA, Mayor Bloomberg interrupted Ratner to assert that "I would add something else even more importantly, you have Bruce Ratner's word." Both the
explicit promises in the CBA and public statements made by Bruce Ratner and Michael Bloomberg provide a firm foundation on which Plaintiffs developed reasonable expectations that their participation in the PATP would result in their gaining admission to a construction union. 64. Caldwell repeatedly told Plaintiffs that they could rely on his promises and
promises made by employees and officers of BUILD and the Developers, because they were subject to the legally binding requirements of the CBA. Caldwell often pointed to a poster, prominently displayed in the BUILD offices, that showed the signature page of the CBA. He relied on this as a visual aid when telling PATP participants that they could rely on his promises of union membership.
The Pre-Apprentice Training Program 65. Not long after the orientation session, the PATP began. Each morning,
participants in the PATP were expected to arriveby 7 a.m. At first, the PATP was taught in a classroom. Classrooms were located at the BUILD offices at 485 Hudson Avenue in Brooklyn and also at 1 Metrotech Center, a building owned by FCRC. Class ended each day around 2:30 p.m. 66. Each day, PATP participants attended a "life skills" class, taught using The
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, as its primary textbook. PATP participants also attended basic lectures about construction techniques. The participants were given handouts, but the materials were general and not sufficiently detailed to provide participants with new skills or knowledge. The handouts included printouts from websites, such as Wikipedia, and photocopies of textbooks. 67. Even after they had enrolled in the PATP, participants were repeatedly told One instructor, Greg Tyner, explained
that "everyone in the room will be millionaires."
that participants could expect to earn $100,000 in annual income as unionized construction workers. One instructor told Mr. Griffin that he would earn
hourly rate of $45 upon
completion of the program. Another instructor told Ms. Noreiga that she could expect at least ten to fifteen years of construction work at the AYCS. 68. PATP participants were required to wear and/or carry a uniform of
construction boots, jeans, gloves, hardhats, goggles, and safety masks. They were not reimbursed for the money they spent to acquire these supplies. 69. There were three instructors in the PATP: Gausia Jones, Kevin Whittaker,
and Greg Tyner.
PATP participants were promised hands-on training. During the first month
of training, when participants asked Caldwell when they could expect to begin the handson training, Caldwell responded: "Bruce has to provide us with a site." Caldwell represented to PATP participants that he was "fighting to get you a site." Caldwell also represented to PATP participants that he was waiting for funds from the Developers that would enable him to pay for the use of a hands-on training site. 71. During the beginning weeks of the PATP, Caldwell and others who worked
for BUILD and the Developers continued promising participants that upon completion of the PA TP, they would be given membership cards for the union to which they preferred to belong. Caldwell and BUILD employees encouraged PATP participants to decide which union they would most like to be a part of, and represented that PATP participants would be able to choose which union they joined. Mr. Armstrong told Caldwell, as well as Jones, that he wanted to join the ironworkers' union. Jones promised Plaintiff Armstrong that he would be admitted. Caldwell told Mr. Armstrong: "I know what you want. I will get you your own book." Mr. Armstrong understood Caldwell to mean that he would ensure that Mr. Armstrong be admitted to membership in the ironworkers' union. 72. Caldwell told the PA TP participants that the union cards had been obtained
by the Developers. Caldwell told the participants that FCRC was making the deals involved in getting the union books and that because BUILD was "under" FCRC, BUILD would benefit by getting the union books. Caldwell represented to Mr. Stewart that Caldwell and Ratner spoke regularly about the union cards and other matters relating to the PATP.
While participating in the program, Mr. Silva received
an orientation for the laborers' union. Mr. Silva told Chantel Lewis about the invitation. Chantel Lewis advised Mr. Silva not to attend, because he would soon be getting his union book through the program. Based on this promise, Mr. Silva chose not to attend the orientation for the laborers' union. He has not been contacted since by the laborers' union. 74. Gausia Jones, an instructor at the PATP, repeatedly told PATP participants
that he had seen the union cards and that they were ready to be given away upon. completion of the PATP. Caldwell told participants that he had seen 100 union books, 30 of which were reserved for participants in the PATP. 75. that read: When I was a child, I spoke like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a non-union worker, I spoke like a non-union worker, I thought like a non-union worker, I behaved like a non-union worker. When I became a UNION WORKER, I put away all those things. Gausia Jones 2010 Plaintiffs understood this flier as encouragement and a reminder that when they finished the PATP, they would be union workers. 76. By October 2010, it became apparent that Caldwell had been unable to During the program, Gausia Jones also handed out to each participant a flier
secure a hands-on training site. Jones owned a construction company, Orbin's Big Green Machine. After the Developers failed to provide a site, PATP participants were told they would get their hands-on training at an Orbin' s Big Green Machine worksite. Caldwell told Mr. Stewart that Defendant Ratner had personally approved the use of Orbin's Big
Green Machine worksite. The worksite that was selected was at a residential house on Staten Island that was being remodeled by Jones' company. When the PATP participants arrived at the site, they leamed that they were the only workers at this site. Orbin's Big Green Machine did not employ any other workers at the site. Instead, it was expected that PATP participants would do all debris removal and renovation at the Staten Island worksite. 77. BUILD bought the materials that PATP participants used in their work at the
Staten Island worksite. Prior to beginning work at the worksite, Plaintiffs and other PATP participants were required to sign a waiver of liability, stipulating that they would not bring a lawsuit against BUILD or Jones if they were injured at the Staten Island worksite. 78. At the Staten Island worksite, there was effectively no supervision. Jones
was present only intermittently at the worksite, and when he was present, he was the only supervisor for over thirty workers. Jones checked in with the workers one to two times per week. Jones often said: "The boss doesn't need to be there for you to get to work." 79. The unpaid PATP participants were expected to perform heavy labor,
including demolition. They also removed debris, laid cinderblock walls to support the upper floor, poured cement floors, framed the rooms, installed plumbing, rewired the house, installed sheetrock, and laid tile for the bathroom. The workers divided the work amongst themselves so that each was doing work that he or she already knew how to do. For example, workers with experience doing electrical work installed the electrical system for the basement. 80. When Gausia Jones did attempt to instruct the Plaintiffs and other PATP
participants, he was unable to do so effectively, in large part because the workspace was so
small that only a few participants could see whatever task or action Jones was attempting to demonstrate. 81. The worksite presented several safety hazards. The house was shifting and
was supported only by temporary braces. There were cracks in the foundation walls and there were no posts in place to support the walls. There was only one exit from the basement, and there were many people working in a very small space. There was no work permit for the work being done by PATP participants. 82. Jones often instructed the PATP participants to use shortcuts or to otherwise For example, Jones provided them with two-by-four wooden
engage in bad workmanship.
beams, rather than metal posts, to use in the walls. The cinderblock wall was not fully vertical because no plumb-line had been hung. 83. PATP participants were told that working at the Staten Island worksite was
compulsory if they wished to complete the PATP and receive their union cards. PATP participants were not allowed to work until they signed the waiver releasing BUILD and Jones from liability in the event that they were injured on the worksite. 84. Plaintiffs were not paid for the work they performed at the Staten Island
worksite. Plaintiffs were provided Metrocards by BUILD at about the seventh or eighth week of the PATP. PATP participants were told by Caldwell that the Developers had finally given BUILD a check from which BUILD could purchase Metrocards and pay the teachers of the PATP. PATP participants spent roughly two months at the Staten Island worksite. 85. During the last few weeks of the program, staff from BUILD began to tell
PATP participants that there were other pre-apprenticeship programs available to them.
BUILD staff informed the PATP participants that there were pre-apprenticeship programs for those who were under 30 years old, veterans, or women. BUILD staff said that anyone not eligible for another pre-apprenticeship program might be eligible for a position in maintenance at a building owned by FCRC. 86. At graduation, MaryAnne Gilmartin, Executive Vice President of
Commercial and Residential Development at FCE and at FCRC, spoke to the PATP participants. She told them that they were still eligible for other pre-apprenticeships, but
made no mention of membership in unions. At graduation, Caldwell spoke about the importance of BUILD's connection to the Developers, saying: "Bruce Ratner is an angel sent from God." Around the time of graduation, Caldwell informed members of the press that the Developers had committed to placing all PATP participants in jobs at buildings owned or controlled by the Developers. 87. Since graduation, only two of the Plaintiffs have been admitted to
membership in a union. Both Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Griffin applied and gained admission to the carpenters union of their own initiative and without any assistance from BUILD. 88. Since graduation, none of the Plaintiffs has received an offer of employment
in a construction job at the AYCS or from the Developers or from BUILD. 89. Many, ifnot most, of the PATP participants had backgrounds in construction
before beginning the PATP. As a result, the Plaintiffs leamed very little that they did not already know. For example, Mr. Prime was trained as a carpenter and had experience in sheet-rocking and framing. Ms. Noreiga was trained as an electrician prior to beginning
the PA TP. Mr. Stewart had experience as a plumber. Mr. Griffin is an experienced carpenter. Mr. Armstrong is a skilled carpenter and ironworker. 90. In January 2011, Ms. Noreiga met with Caldwell to ask why there had been
no offers of jobs or union membership. Instead of answering her question, Caldwell encouraged her to join a pre-apprenticeship program for women interested in construction jobs. Ms. Noreiga refused to do so. 91. After graduation, Caldwell informed Mr. Griffin that temporary jobs doing
political canvassing were available or that he could work for Planet Fitness for an hourly rate of $8.50. In November 2011, Mr. Griffin was admitted to the carpenters' union after he applied without the help of Defendants. 92. After graduation, Chantel Lewis offered Mr. Silva ajob doing maintenance
work for $12 per hour. Mr. Silva declined the offer, stating that this was not the type of work he expected after completing the PATP. Later, Chantel Lewis called Mr. Silva and told Mr. Silva that ifhe met with Ms. Noreiga and legal counsel to discuss bringing a lawsuit, BUILD would "blacklist" him from any union and any job in New York City. 93. After graduation, Chantel Lewis offered Mr. Armstrong ajob doing
maintenance work for $12 per hour. Mr. Armstrong declined the offer since he is a skilled laborer accustomed to making more than $12 per hour. Chantel Lewis later called Mr. Armstrong to offer him a position in another pre-apprenticeship training program. Mr. Armstrong also declined this offer. Mr. Armstrong was admitted to the carpenters' union in July 2011, after he applied without the help of Defendants.
BUILD contacted
Mr. Stewart about a maintenance Mr. Stewart about ajob at a
he was not offered the job. McDonald's 95. restaurant.
BUILD also contacted
Mr. Prime was contacted
by an unidentified
of BUILD who invited
him to go to the BUILD offices to see if there were jobs. 96. Mr. Apple was contacted by BUILD in April 2011 regarding no job was offered. ajob offer. Mr.
W11en Mr. Apple met with Caldwell,
Instead Caldwell questioned
Apple about possible litigation related to the P A TP. 97. As recently as November 3,2011, in responding Marshall to questions continued at an Atlantic
Yards District Service Cabinet Meeting, Defendants were connecting community
Defendant members
to assert that She stated and "they're
with union memberships. apprentice programs,"
that BUILD has placed people in the "three sanctioned getting their books."
She further stated that BUILD is now focusing on training people for jobs.
retail rather than construction
98. Plaintiffs, This collective action is brought pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 216(b), by the and all current or former P A TP participants during the
on behalf of themselves
last three years, and who have given or will give their written consent to be plaintiffs herein pursuant 99. employees to 29 U.S.C. § 216(b). and belief, there are many similarly wages by Defendants situated former in violation ofFLSA. and
who have been denied minimum Those similarly
situated former employees records.
are known to Defendants
can be located through Defendants'
These similarly situated former employees would benefit from the issuance
of a Court-authorized notice of the present lawsuit and opportunity to join the present lawsuit. 102. A collective action is superior to other methods for the fair and efficient
adjudication of this controversy. Upon information and belief, no litigation similar to this action is currently pending. A collective action regarding the issues in this case creates no problems of manageability. FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION Fair Labor Standards Act - Federal Minimum Wage Violations 103. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference all allegations in all
preceding numbered paragraphs. 104. Defendants willfully failed to pay Plaintiffs and others similarly situated the
federally mandated minimum wage, in violation of the FLSA, 29 U.S.C. § 206(a)(1). 105. At all relevant times, upon information and belief, Defendants were and
continue to be employers engaged in commerce within the meaning of the FLSA, 29 U.S.C. §§ 206(a) and 207(a). Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, Defendants have had gross revenues in excess of $500,000.00. 106. Plaintiffs were employees of Defendants. Plaintiffs performed work
benefiting Defendants. 107. Defendants. 108. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs, and others similarly situated, are Plaintiffs received no payment for the hours they spent working for the
entitled to recover from Defendants amounts to be proven at trial for unpaid minimum
wages, an equal amount as liquidated damages, reasonable attorneys' fees, and costs of the action, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 216(b). SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION New York Labor Law - State Minimum Wage Violations 109. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference all allegations in all
preceding numbered paragraphs. 110. Defendants willfully failed to pay Plaintiffs the New York State minimum
wage for all hours worked, in violation ofN.Y. Labor Law § 652. 111. Plaintiffs were employees of Defendants. Plaintiffs performed work
benefiting Defendants. 112. Defendants. 113. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs are entitled to recover from Plaintiffs received no payment for the hours they spent working for the
Defendants amounts to be proven at trial for unpaid minimum wages, an equal amount as liquidated damages, prejudgment interest, reasonable attorneys' fees, and costs of the action, pursuant to N.Y. Labor Law § 663. THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION Fraudulent Inducement 114. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference all allegations in all
preceding numbered paragraphs. 115. Defendants fraudulently induced Plaintiffs to quit their jobs and participate
in the PATP by stating that BUILD had already secured union books for distribution upon successful completion of the PATP and that no further application process or apprenticeship would be necessary to obtain union membership.
At the time these statements were made, Defendants knew that they were
false in that they knew that they did not already possess union cards and knew they were unlikely to obtain them. 117. Defendants made these statements as a part of their recruitment plan.
Plaintiffs reasonably relied on statements made by officers and employees of BUILD and FCRC, the sole purpose of the statements being to induce Plaintiffs to enroll in the P ATP. 118. Plaintiffs reasonably relied on statements made by officers and employees
of BUILD and the Developers. 119. Plaintiffs suffered damages as a result of having relied on the inducements
made by Defendants. 120. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs are entitled to recover from
Defendants amounts to be proven at trial for compensatory damages and punitive damages. FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION Violation a/New York General Business Law § 349 121. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference all allegations in all
preceding numbered paragraphs. 122. Defendants targeted low income, African-American Brooklyn residents, and
through various deceptive acts and practices, in violation of §349 of the General Business Law, induced them to participate in the PATP and perform unpaid manual labor in hazardous conditions. 123. Defendants repeatedly misrepresented to Plaintiffs, in conversations,
individual meetings and trainings, that they would receive union cards and union jobs upon the completion of the program.
As a result of the Defendants' deceptive practices, the Plaintiffs in some
instances were induced to leave paying jobs, and in others, to forgo opportunities for employment. 125. A reasonable person could have easily relied on the statements and
promises made by Defendants. 126. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs are entitled to recover from
Defendants amounts to be proven at trial for actual damages, treble damages, and attorneys' fees. 127. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs seek an order enjoining Defendants
from repeating their deceptive practices.
Breach of Contract 128. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference all allegations in all
preceding numbered paragraphs. 129. Defendants repeatedly promised each individual Plaintiff membership in the
union of his or her choice and employment at the AyeS in exchange for the Plaintiffs' agreement to participate in and complete the PATP. Plaintiffs' agreement and subsequent work performed constituted valuable consideration. 130. In response to this offer, Plaintiffs agreed to attend required classes and
perform work for Defendants as PATP participants, 131. Plaintiffs attended the required classes aIld performed work for Defendants
as PATP participants.
Defendants failed and refused to provide Plaintiffs with the promised union
memberships and have not offered AYCS jobs to the Plaintiffs, thereby breaching a contract formed by Defendants' offer and Plaintiffs' acceptance. 133. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs are entitled to recover from
Defendants amounts to be proven at trial for compensatory damages.
Breach of Unilateral Contract 134. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference all allegations in all
preceding numbered paragraphs. l35. Defendants repeatedly promised each individual Plaintiff membership in the
union of his or her choice upon completion of the PATP and employment at the AyeS. 136. Plaintiffs, in reasonable reliance on this promise, attended required classes
and performed work for Defendants, thus completing performance of the unilateral contract. 137. Defendants failed and refused to provide Plaintiffs with the promised union
memberships and have not offered AYCS jobs to the Plaintiffs, thereby breaching a unilateral contract f01TI1ed Defendants' offer and Plaintiffs' performance. by 138. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs are entitled to recover from
Promissory Estoppel 139. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference all allegations in all
preceding numbered paragraphs.
Defendants repeatedly promised each individual Plaintiff membership in the
union of his or her choice upon completion of the PATP. 141. In reasonable reliance on this promise, Plaintiffs Griffin and Stewart left
their jobs and forewent present income in order to participate in the PATP. 142. In reasonable reliance on this promise, Plaintiff Stewart did not pursue other
offers of employment in order to participate in the PATP. 143. All Plaintiffs forewent pursuit of alternative employment in reasonable
reliance on this promise. 144. All Plaintiffs paid for a portion of travel expenses to and from Staten Island
in reasonable reliance on this promise. 145. All Plaintiffs purchased and supplied their own work clothes in order to
work at the Staten Island site. 146. damages. 147. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs are entitled to recover from In reasonable reliance on Defendants' clear promises, Plaintiffs suffered
Defendants amounts to be proven at trial for compensatory damages. EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION Unjust Enrichment 148. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference all allegations in all
preceding numbered paragraphs. 149. 150. Plaintiffs rendered services as construction workers in good faith. Defendants accepted those services and in turn failed to compensate
Plaintiffs for the reasonable and/or fair market value of their services. 151. Defendants have benefited from these services at Plaintiffs' expense.
Defendants consciously or recklessly disregarded the rights of Plaintiffs. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs are entitled to recover from
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that this COUlienter judgment against Defendants as follows: (i) That at the earliest possible time, Plaintiffs be allowed to give notice
of this collective action, or that the Court issue such notice, to all persons who are presently, or have at any time during the three years immediately preceding the filing of this action, up through and including the date of this Court's issuance of COUli-authorized notice, been employed by Defendants. Such notice shall inform them that this civil action
has been filed, of the nature of the action, and of their right to join this action if they believe they were denied proper hourly compensation; (ii) In favor of Plaintiffs and similarly situated current and former
employees of Defendants for unpaid minimum wages under the FLSA and an equal amount as liquidated damages, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 216; (iii) In favor of Plaintiffs for unpaid minimum wages under the New
York Minimum Wage Act regulations, and an equal amount as liquidated damages, pursuant to N.Y. Labor Law § 663(1); (iv) In favor of Plaintiffs for compensatory damages, to be proven at
trial, for fraudulent inducement to participate in the PATP; (v) In favor of Plaintiffs for actual damages and treble damages
pursuant to N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 349 (h);
In favor of Plaintiffs for permanent injunctions for the Defendants'
unlawful deceptive practices, pursuant to N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 349 (h); (vii) unilateral contract; (viii) In favor of Plaintiffs for compensatory damages under the doctrine In favor of Plaintiffs for compensatory damages for breach of the
of promissory estoppel; (ix) (x) (xi) Punitive damages; Prejudgment and postjudgment interest; Reasonable attomeys' fees, together with the costs and
disbursements of this action; and (xii) Such other and further relief as this COUlideems just and proper.
Pursuant to Rule 38(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, plaintiffs demand a trial by jury in this action.
Dated: Brooklyn, New York November 15, 2011. JOHN C. GRAY, Esq. SOUTH BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES
By: 011 Thomas-Jensen Sarah E. Dranoff Nicole Salk Gary Steven Stone 105 COUli Street, 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 718-237-5500
EMERY CELLI BRlNCKERHOFF ABADYLLP Matthew D. Brinckerhoff 75 Rockefeller Plaza, 20th Floor New York, New York 10019 (212) 763-5000 Counsel for Plaintiffs
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