My meeting with the Department of Labor

On Wednesday, August 23rd, I met with Ronald Schramm, Wage and Hour Investigator with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We spoke for about an hour, and he was due to meet with SJ officials that afternoon. Here's what I learned.

Sheldon Jackson College is required by law to provide compensation to terminated workers three days after termination. SJ did pay out wages in a timely manner. Yet, they have failed to make good on the promise of a 30 day severance and vacation time owed. Mr. Schramm plans on offering the College an incremental payment plan that would result in the College settling its debt with staff and faculty over the next 90 days. Failing this option, former employees may need to file formal complaints with the Department, at which point each claim would be investigated and a judgment made regarding SJ's responsibility. With the potential for scores of complaints, Mr. Schramm is hoping his offer will be accepted.

Perhaps the last resort would be to file a civil suit against the College, an option no one looks forward to, but may prove to be the only option should SJ not meet its financial obligations to us.

Mr. Schramm has agreed to notify me of the outcome of his meeting with the College. I'll update the site as soon as I hear something.