Able Industries makes partial payment
More than 200 employees have been waiting since last Friday for their money and some even took their concerns to the local Department of Labor office that referred them to the U.S. Department of Labor.
October 26, 2011Updated: October 26, 2011
By KUAM News
By KUAM Newsby Mindy Aguon
Guam - Less than half of Able Industries employees received their paychecks today. More than 200 employees have been waiting since last Friday for their money and some even took their concerns to the local Department of Labor office that referred them to the U.S. Department of Labor.
As we reported the federal agency is conducting an investigation into payroll at the company that is the island's largest employer of individuals with disabilities. Able has federal contracts with the military to provide supplies and other items and is overseen by a larger organization, NISH, which is a national non-profit agency whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities by securing federal contracts through the AbilityOne Program for its network of community-based, non profit agencies.
NISH has also expressed concerns about the ability of Able to continue with its contracts and continue employing individuals with disabilities as Able Industries has several outstanding obligations. The agency has also looked to source its contracts with another company on Guam. The U.S. DOL continues its investigation into payroll and has already found that the company failed to pay its employees more than $500,000 in health and welfare benefits.
Able CEO and President Joaquin Leon Guerrero and Able board chair Elmore Cotton, have not returned multiple calls for comment about the reason for the payless payday and when the other employees can expect to be paid.