The U.S. Labor Department says it has filed a lawsuit to force Huntleigh USA Corporation to pay $7.1 million in back wages to 7,171 employees who provided airport security services after the attacks of September 11, 2001.

After the attacks, the St. Louis-based contractor was hired to provide airport security services at 39 airports around the country until the Transportation Security Administration took over the responsibility using federal employees.

The Department of Labor alleges that the company violated the Service Contract Act (SCA). Under the SCA, contractors on federal service contracts in excess of $2,500 must pay their service workers no less than the wages and fringe benefits prevailing in the locality.

The Labor Department issues wage determinations that list the required SCA wage rate and fringe benefit for each service occupation. These determinations are incorporated into covered federal contracts. Employers must also maintain accurate records of employees' wages, hours, and other conditions of employment.