Politics & Government

Niles Rights Ex-Mayor's Violation of Labor Act, Trustees Say

The village board okayed back pay for six employees who were underpaid, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. One trustee said the then-seated mayor exceeded his authority, ignored village policy and violated the Act.

 

The Niles board of trustees on Tuesday voted to approve paying $74,000 in back pay and fees to six employees who were underpaid for overtime work, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, starting around 1997.

In introducing the issue, Trustee Jim Hynes said an attorney for one of the underpaid employees brought the matter to the village's attention. 

Find out what's happening in Niles-Morton Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At that time, full-time employees were working additional overtime hours in part-time positions, he said, "and they weren't paid appropriate overtime."

The board as a whole decided these employees should be paid in full what was owed and appropriate attorney's fees, he said.

Find out what's happening in Niles-Morton Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Trustee Rosemary Palicki commented, "It's important we clarify this was s decision by the then-seated mayor to act without the advice and consent of the board of trustees and in so doing, exceeded his authority," she said.

Though subodinates informed him the village was violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, he continued, she said, adding the village was now righting the situation for the underpaid employees.

"The policy (of not permitting full-time employees to work additional part-time job overtime) was not rescinded, it was ignored by the then-seated mayor," she said.

Trustee Louella Preston, who was on the board in 1997, said, "I wish to make it clear that as a member of the board when these violations occurred, the board was totally unaware of the violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. We have never approved a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. How that came about and how it continued needs further investigation."

No one spoke in defense of the former mayor. Though he was not mentioned by name Tuesday, Nicholas Blase held the position from 1961 through 2008. 

Following is what the village determined was owed to the underpaid employees:

  • Employee A, $54,736
  • Employee B, $1,460
  • Employee C, $1,018
  • Employee D, $2,512
  • Employee E, $1,027
  • Employee F, $334

In addition to these, $13,000 in attorney's fees was approved, for a total of $74,087.

Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook

Get Niles and Morton Grove news in a daily email from Patch. It's like getting a free newspaper. Learn more. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here