National Grid Settles Claims Of Late Pay After Hurricane Sandy

BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts attorney general's office says National Grid has agreed to pay about $1.5 million to workers who waited months to receive compensation for work performed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Some 2,000 employees will receive lump sum payments of $750 under the settlement.

National Grid blamed technical problems with a new payroll system for delaying payments to workers who helped restore power to customers in Massachusetts and neighboring states after the storm last October.

Attorney General Martha Coakley earlier announced a $270,000 fine against the utility for violations of wage and hour laws. She said the delay in payments caused financial stress for many people.

The company, which previously apologized to the affected workers, has agreed not to pass on the costs of the settlement to ratepayers.

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