Security guards at hotels housing migrants say new firm shorted pay
Rotterdam NY October 9 2023 Security guards staffing the Capital Region hotels housing migrants say they’ve been shorted pay, hours and money for their own housing after DocGo, the company handling the transport and housing of the migrants, brought in a new security company to oversee the shelters.
That switch in security followed a state investigation that resulted in the suspension of the license of the initial firm, Wawanda Investigations.
Two security guards told the Times Union that A&H Security hired licensed guards previously employed by Wawanda with a promise of a $23.50 per hour rate, and $25 an hour for supervisors. The guards also said they were assured the company would continue using 12-hour shifts and cover the cost of housing for guards from out of the area.
But this week, paychecks showed only $20.01 an hour, or $22.81 for supervisors, with an additional line item of $2.19 an hour, according to one supervisor working at the Super 8 hotel in Rotterdam, who asked to remain anonymous. The supplemental pay was not factored into overtime pay, he said. He said he was fired after he and other security staff confronted human resources about the shortage and spoke to A&H Security owner Felix Cabreja.
Another guard working at the Holiday Inn Express in Albany, who also asked to remain anonymous, said A&H only covered his housing in another hotel until the end of next week, and that the company is moving to shorten shifts. The guards also claimed new security personnel brought in by A&H were paid an hourly rate at least $10 higher.
Wawanda had its license suspended by the New York Department of State on Sept. 20 following an investigation that found repeated problems with the company’s staff.
Among the issues state investigators identified in a complaint filed by the state: Almost two dozen Wawanda security guards were not licensed with the state, and the Sullivan County-based security company had failed to notify the state of the hiring of 28 others. An administrative hearing in the case is set for Nov. 7.
The guards interviewed for this story have active security guard licenses, according to state public records. The Times Union was unable to confirm if A&H has reported their employment to the state.
Numerous news reports indicated guards for the company allegedly intimidated or threatened migrants in its care or told journalists they were not allowed to speak with migrants on the grounds of the hotel. The office of state Attorney General Letitia James responded to those reports with a letter to DocGo to cease any limitations on the freedom of movement or speech of migrants. An investigation by James’ office is ongoing.
DocGo is a publicly traded company working under a $432 million contract with New York City to provide sheltering services to thousands of migrants. The city’s mayor, Eric Adams, has continuously defended the company’s performance despite numerous concerns raised by the press, state officials and the city’s comptroller, Brad Lander.
New York City officials told the Times Union it terminated its contract with Wawanda on Sept. 20, the same day the state suspended the company’s license, but it was a part of a “gradual phase-out period.” On the same day, A&H Security began to work for DocGo. The “phased termination of Wawanda allowed ample time” for A&H and another company to “fully integrate and scale-up their services,” according to a city spokeswoman.
Michael Garcia, vice president of operations for A&H Security Services of the Bronx, said in a statement he read over the phone Thursday that the company takes the concerns of their staff “very seriously.”
“I would like to assure you that A&H is committed to adhering to all compliance regarding labor employment law,” he added.
He went on to say that this was the company’s first payroll cycle for the Rotterdam location, and they are aware of the pay issues at the site.
“Our team is working around the clock right now to address those concerns as swiftly as possible,” Garcia said, “so I’d like to make it very clear that A&H values all of its employees and their well-being and we are committed to resolving this matter transparently and in compliance with all New York state and labor regulations.”
Asked about employees being fired, Garcia said he “didn’t know anything about that.”
“I don’t want to get into any details because I’m not well-versed on exactly what’s happening,” he said.
