Van Hollen & Gassman Announce Workers to Receive Settlement Payments in Reliant Glass & Door Systems

SHEBOYGAN - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced the recovery of $36,000 in compensation that 15 former employees of Reliant Glass & Door Systems, LLC, lost when the Sheboygan firm filed for bankruptcy.  

"It is clear in Wisconsin that laws protecting the rights of workers to compensation must be followed," Van Hollen said.  "The Wisconsin Department of Justice represents the Department of Workforce Development in enforcing the law when violations unfortunately occur.  I am pleased the workers in this case will be justly compensated." 

"In each of the last two years, DWD succeeded in collecting well over $2 million on behalf of thousands of workers and their families," Secretary Gassman said. "This is another example of our strong, effective enforcement of state laws protecting workers, a collaborative effort with the Department of Justice." 

Reliant was placed into receivership under Chapter 128 (a state bankruptcy provision) on January 13, 2009.  In representing DWD, the Wisconsin Department of Justice filed a wage lien and a claim in the receivership.  The claims were made for unpaid vacation benefits, insurance deductions and medical bills.  The 15 former workers will share the $36,012.13 recovered from the receivership.  Under the State's Wage Payments, Claims and Collections laws, eligible workers are entitled to payment of up to $3,000 in unpaid wages before most other creditors may be paid.  In this case, the 15 former workers will either receive the full amount claimed, or $3,000, whichever is lesser.. 

Attorney General Van Hollen and Secretary Gassman made the announcement, following Sheboygan County Circuit Court Judge James Bolgert's approval of an agreement between the state and John M. Wirth, the court appointed receiver.