Press Release  Amazon Delivery Contractor Cited More Than $80,000 for Failure to Pay Employee Wages

Boston — A Florida-based delivery company and its owner have been cited more than $80,000 in restitution and penalties for failing to pay their employees in a timely manner in violation of the state’s wage and hour laws, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

VHU Express, Inc. and its owner, Lisa Bythewood, were hired by Amazon Logistics, Inc. (Amazon) to provide delivery services for two warehouses in Massachusetts located in Chelsea and Dedham.  

“Companies are required by state law to pay the wages they owe their employees in a timely manner,” AG Healey said. “We will continue to advocate on behalf of Massachusetts workers to make sure they know their rights and are not exploited by unfair employment practices.”    

In January, the AG’s Office received a referral from the state Council on the Underground Economy (CUE) that workers had not received wages for several weeks of pay. The investigation determined that, from December 2015 to February 2016, a total of 52 employees had not been paid for work performed delivering Amazon packages. State law requires employers to pay most employees within six days of the end of the pay period during which the wages were earned.

Amazon has agreed to pay more than $80,000 in restitution and penalties on behalf of VHU Express, Inc. and Bythewood.

This case serves as an example of AG Healey’s focus on providing economic security to the residents of Massachusetts, particularly vulnerable workers. The AG’s Office enforces the laws regulating the payment of wages, including prevailing wage, minimum wage and overtime laws. Workers who believe that their rights have been violated in their workplace are encouraged to call the Office’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465. More information about the state's wage and hour laws is also available in multiple languages at the Attorney General's Workplace Rights website www.massworkrights.com.

This matter was handled by Deputy Division Chief Lauren Goldman, Deputy Chief of Investigations Greg Reutlinger and Investigator Jen Pak, all of the AG’s Fair Labor Division, with further assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.

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