Employees Of Synergy Web To Receive Wage Settlement

MAZOMANIE - Attorney General J.B.Van Hollen and Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced that in a settlement to be filed in Dane County Circuit Court, the Wisconsin Department of Justice has recovered $155,689.80 from Synergy Web of Mazomanie, for wage claims and violations of State plant closing laws. The Wisconsin Department of Justice represents its client agency, the Department of Workforce Development, to enforce wage claim matters.

"Workers are lawfully entitled to be paid what they are owed under the law. I am pleased to represent DWD and Wisconsin's hard working citizens to ensure the law is followed and they are paid what they're owed. Mindful of the economic concerns all citizens and companies are facing and the timeframes involved, this settlement short of litigation is a very good result for those formerly employed by Synergy Web," said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

"I commend Secretary Gassman and her team for their efforts to investigate and process this and other similar matters," said Van Hollen.

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) received complaints for unpaid wages and benefits. As a result of these complaints, a DWD investigation concluded $45,688.21 in unpaid vacation benefits were owed to employees and the company was potentially liable for $160,000 in wages associated with the plant closing in keeping with State plant closing law. DWD estimated a total $205,000 in wages and benefit payment were owed.

"We are pleased to announce the recovery of nearly $156,000 for workers of Synergy Web," Secretary Gassman said. "Protecting the welfare of Wisconsin workers is critical to the health of our workforce, and, thanks to the swift action and cooperation between our agencies, we were able to accomplish that here today."

The court has scheduled a hearing on April 6 to determine whether or not to approve the settlement. If approved, DWD should receive payment from the receiver in approximately 10 days. DWD will then send a notice to eligible employees advising them how to claim their portion of the settlement proceeds. Eligible employees who elect to participate in the settlement can expect payment within approximately 60 days of court approval.  DWD cannot force participation, so each employee must elect whether or not to opt-in.  If they do opt-in, they will have to agree to release all claims against the receivership.  If they do not opt-in by the deadline set by DWD, they cannot participate and their respective portion of the settlement funds will be returned to the Receiver.

Assistant Attorney General Richard Braun represented the state in this matter.