An Alabama firm that provides security for about 20 state offices buildings in Baton Rouge and other Louisiana cities has threatened retaliation against employees who complained of not receiving paychecks from the company or who received checks that bounced.
A December 6 one-page memorandum from JAT Bureau of Protective Services of Montgomery, Alabama, began by instructing employees on when to submit their timesheets and then noted that the firm’s current pay calendar was incorrect. “The next pay date will be December 23, 2010. A new pay calendar will be distributed to each employee within the next few weeks,” it said.
The memo then said the Department of Public Safety (DPS) “has had several complaints by building tenants (employees of state agencies, ostensibly) and DPS officers of JAT employees complaining about issues they have with the company.”
The “issues” weren’t identified but the reference was apparently to complaints about late payroll checks and payroll checks that bounced. One employee showed Capitol News Service his check of November 17 that was returned by his bank because of insufficient funds.
“This behavior WILL NOT BE TOLERATED,” the memorandum said in all capital, bold letters. “If any employee has a complaint, it can be expressed to (supervisors). If the complaint cannot be handled by the supervisor, he or she will pass (it) on to the appropriate manager to be handled. DPS does not want employees calling their officers or office with complaints. Complaints will be handled by JAT management.”
The final admonition said, again in bold lettering: “Any employees found to be in violation of this policy will be given a written warning. Further violation(s) will result in termination.”
Another memorandum to JAT employees, dated the following day from JAT Chairman Arthur Coleman, III, said the company is current with employee salary payments but it appeared to conflict with the Dec. 6 memo which said the next pay date will be Dec. 23. “All employees will receive a check on Friday, January 7, 2011,” the Dec. 7 letter said, again in all-bold letters. “The next pay date will be February 7, 2001.” Coleman said the 30-day notice of changes in pay dates is in compliance with Louisiana law
JAT, of Montgomery, Alabama, was awarded the contract, effective Oct. 1, on the basis of its low bid of $1,061,866.11 at bid openings last August. The contract runs through June 30, 2011 and stipulates that unarmed guards receive a minimum of $8.50 per hour with armed guards receiving one dollar more per hour. Supervisors are to receive at least $12 per hour.
The firm employs 74 guards in 15 Baton Rouge state office buildings, plus employees in other state buildings scattered across the state, from New Orleans to Shreveport.
Attempts by Capitol News Service to contact Coleman were unsuccessful.
Louisiana Voice 
And just what might be the Louisiana Law with which this deadbeat company claims to be in compliance? I would bet a tidy sum that there is no such payroll law and that this is just another attempt to intimidate employees into silence about the company’s misconduct and incompetence.
More troublesome is whether this company has already received funds from the State of LA under the contract intended for use in meeting the actual guard payroll that they have squandered, stolen, or otherwise misappropriated.
A thorough investigation not only by you but by the involved state Agencies appears in order.
Strong arm tactics to make employees shut up have been known to work before.