For Immediate release - June 14, 2010

EOLWD Announcement

New Director Appointed to Joint Enforcement Task Force on the Underground Economy and Employee Misclassification

BOSTON - June 14, 2010 - Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Joanne F. Goldstein today announced the appointment of Drew Cahill to the role of Director of the Joint Enforcement Task Force on the Underground Economy and Employee Misclassification.

Established by Governor Deval Patrick in Executive Order #499 in March of 2008, the Joint Task Force (JTF) is made up of over a dozen state agencies working in collaboration to protect workers and restore competitive equality for businesses through targeted investigations and enforcement, and the education of business owners and employees about lawful employment practices.

To date, the JTF has investigated 515 complaints and recovered over 1.4 million dollars in unpaid employer taxes and benefit contributions. Additionally, through a series of Town Hall meetings, the JTF has helped raise awareness about issues related to the underground economy with government officials, workers and community leaders around the state.

Drew Cahill
"With Mr. Cahill's appointment as the new Director, the Joint Task Force will focus on increasing the volume and impact of cross-agency enforcement actions," said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Joanne F. Goldstein. "I have also directed Mr. Cahill, as per the Executive Order, to establish a Joint Task Force Advisory Council consisting of 5 Regional Advisory Groups (Greater Boston, Northeast, Southeast, Central, and Western) and a Steering Committee."

"The Advisory Council will expand on the existing dialogue between the JTF and its stakeholders regarding the growing problem of the underground economy and employee misclassification in Massachusetts - particularly in terms of specific, ongoing violations of employment law that may be identifiable in various communities throughout the Commonwealth," said Director of Labor and the Joint Task Force's Chair, George Noel.

Mr. Cahill joins the JTF after four years as a Policy Advisor in the executive bureau of the Attorney General's Office. There, Mr. Cahill, in collaboration with senior staff, developed and implemented strategy furthering the Attorney General's legislative and policy interests related to the office's Fair Labor Division, Business, Technology and Economic Development Division, Budget Division, Non-Profit/Public Charities Division, Medicaid Fraud Division, Consumer Protection Division, Civil Rights Division and Criminal Bureau.

For more information on the JTF including information about the anonymous tip hotline (1-877-96-LABOR), please visit the website at www.mass.gov/dol/labortaskforce.