When the Tennessee East Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 175 noticed discrepancies regarding Massey Electric’s payroll on the construction of a Veteran’s Home in Cleveland, TN, they reached out to Torres Consulting & Law Group to get to the bottom of the matter. TCLG’s wage compliance team examined payrolls and job details and discovered that there were inconsistencies related to apprentice pay and worker classifications, and these issues violate Davis-Bacon and Related Acts.
TCLG referred the case to the DOL’s Wage and Labor Division who, upon further investigation, determined that 18 workers were owed more than $30,800 in back wages and benefits.
According the DOL’s response, violations occurred because Massey Electric improperly employed apprentices in excess of the approved apprenticeship ratio. In addition, violations also occurred because the employer failed to pay apprentices the correct fringe benefit rate and failed to properly classify two employees who performed work at a higher wage rate.
“Contractors who try to skirt prevailing wage laws and under pay skilled workers need to be held accountable.” said Managing Partner Israel Torres. “I’m always proud when our compliance team plays a role in recovering wages and making sure that workers are paid the wages they have earned.”
The DOL has recommended updates to Davis-Bacon and Related Acts that will further strengthen protections for workers. TCLG is staying up to date with those changes and will continue to work with unions and contractors’ associations to make sure workers are paid the wages they deserve.