Summary:

6,000 NYPD officers are suing The New York Times and Target for unpaid wages from security details.
Millions of dollars in wages are allegedly owed due to late or non-payment for off-duty work.
The lawsuit also names the NYPD as a defendant for failing to enforce contracts.
The New York Times responded by saying they are reviewing the complaint and that the safety and security of their people is a priority.
This is not the first class action lawsuit regarding NYPD officer's unpaid wages for security details, a similar case was settled with TD Bank in 2023.

NYPD Cops Sue The New York Times and Target for Millions in Unpaid Wages

Up to 6,000 NYPD officers are suing The New York Times, Target, and other businesses for allegedly failing to pay them for off-duty security work. A class-action lawsuit claims millions of dollars in wages are owed to officers who participated in the NYPD's paid detail program.

The Lawsuit's Claims

A new class action lawsuit alleges that the New York Times and Target, along with other businesses, owe NYPD officers millions of dollars in unpaid wages for security details. The suit claims that many officers were paid months late or not at all for their work. One sergeant, Mohamed Monasar, stated that both Target (with debts dating back to 2023) and The New York Times owe him money. Another plaintiff, NYPD Captain Gabrielle Walls, claims several Brooklyn Target stores owe her $10,500 for 121 hours of unpaid work. The lawsuit also names the NYPD as a defendant for their alleged failure to enforce contracts between businesses and officers.

The New York Times' Response

A New York Times spokesperson stated: "The safety and security of our people are a top priority for us. We rely on the NYPD and their police officers to augment our security program, and we appreciate their work. We’ve just received this complaint and are reviewing it."

Impact on Officers

The unpaid wages significantly affect officers’ finances and personal lives. One sergeant stated that this is time he could spend with his family and that the system unfairly punishes officers for the businesses' failures. The suit highlights that officers face consequences for missed shifts, while businesses face no penalties for late payments or non-payment.

Previous Litigation

This isn't the first instance of such litigation. In 2023, TD Bank settled a 5,000-member class action lawsuit over similar issues for $8.7 million.

Attorney's Statement

Attorney John Scola stated: "These corporations rely on police officers to provide protection and security but then refuse to compensate them for their services. In effect, these multi-billion-dollar companies are exploiting the very officers they hire, effectively stealing their labor by failing to pay them what they are owed."

Source: New York Post