If you think Wal-Mart would just plop down a store or two in East New York and call it a day, you don't know Wal-Mart. In order for the big box chain to gain 21% grocery market share, which is what they enjoy in the rest of the country, they would need to build 159 stores in New York City. That's 159 more places to get these fabulous hamster beds. more ›

No wonder people seem to be paying their way into an MTA job: according to a study [pdf] released yesterday, average salaries at the transit agency increased by 3 percent, to $71,237 from 2010, and payroll itself swelled by $71 million, or 1.4 percent, despite the fact that the MTA shed 852 employees last year. According to the Empire Center (i.e. the Manhattan Institute), "For the third consecutive year, more than 10 percent of the MTA's workforce—7,993 individuals—took home $100,000 or more in total pay." Perhaps MTA employees have been working both smarter and harder to make up for the loss of their peers. more ›

It's the Doorman Strike that never happened! Over 500 porters, garbage attendants and maintenance workers formed picket lines at the Co-op City housing development in the Bronx at about 8 a.m., protesting a proposed four-year wage freeze. The Local 32BJ contract—a different contract than the one which nearly caused a building worker strike in April—with the RiverBay Corp. expired this morning, and negotiations reportedly broke down last week. 32BJ Vice President Kyle Bragg said in a press release, "RiverBay's refusal to put realistic wage proposals on the table left us no other option than a strike. Wage freezes are unacceptable." more ›

And the city just keeps getting better for men! According to a study released by City Comptroller John Liu's office last week, New York is one of the best places for men with college degrees to make money before they turn 30. Young men here typically earn $256,000 more over their lifetimes than peers in other parts of the country. They also tend to blow all that extra cash on Jägerbombs in Murray Hill. more ›

Six New York construction companies illegally paid white workers more than minorities who had the same jobs, a state lawsuit alleges. White workers earned an average of $25 per hour, while blacks netted $18 per hour and Latinos took home only $15 per hour, according to the suit filed by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Since 2002, pay discrepancies at at least ten different construction sites scammed minorities out of $4 million in wages and overtime. more ›

State labor officials have recovered $2.3 million in back wages for more than 800 workers at nine restaurants, including the Ollie's noodle shop mini-chain, all owned by Tsu Yue Wang. After years of protests, the wages were recovered on behalf of cooks, delivery workers and waiters, and labor officials tell the AP that some were owed as much as $30,000. In a statement, Labor Commissioner Patricia Smith said, "These restaurants are known throughout the city for supplying Asian food for families at reasonable prices. But as families enjoyed quality food at a price they could afford, workers toiled under the weight of below-minimum wages, late paychecks and lack of overtime payments." So misery is the secret ingredient that makes Ollie's noodles so delicious! The payout comes on the heels of a Labor Department settlement with Amish Markets, whose owners cheated workers out of $1.5 million in overtime. Up next: the 21 Club is being sued by employees for withholding part of their tips. more ›

After a multi-year investigation, attorney general Andrew Cuomo has announced a $750,000 settlement for wage violations by a company that owns supermarkets in Chinatown, Elmhurst and Flushing. According to City Room, employees at the three stores worked 13 or 14 hours a day, seven days a week, totaling 90 hours a week in some cases. But most of them were paid just $360 a week, about the equivalent of $4 an hour. (The labor department says they should have made $714 a week at those hours.) In a statement, Cuomo said, "Employers who line their pockets instead of paying workers the wages and overtime they’ve earned will be brought to justice by my office." The Times tried to get a comment from Long Deng, the owner, but he's in China (hopefully not sourcing more labor). And Deng is not to be confused with the supermarket executives arrested in October for paying their grocery baggers with the tip change shoppers (sometimes) leave at the checkout. more ›

Con Ed and about 9,000 workers are locked in a contract battle that may threaten the city's power come Sunday. According to Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, the utility and workers are "miles and miles apart." more ›

Building workers such as doormen, office cleaners, and janitors will probably not go on strike at the start of 2008 after their local union reached an agreement with Manhattan commercial property owners. Union members still have to vote to ratify the new four year contract, but the union leaders are recommending they do so. more ›

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released data showing Manhattan as the country's highest paid place. Thanks to financial executives' salaries, the average weekly salary for a Manhattanite is $2,821. The next highest weekly salary in the country is Fairfield, Connecticut - $1,979. The figure reflect the heady first quarter of 2007. The rest of New York City residents make more modest amounts. Queens residents make an average of $831/week, followed by $788 made in... more ›