Prevailing Wage Lawsuits for Employees Working on Public Contract Jobs
Last Updated on April 13, 2020
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
Check back for any potential updates and take a look at our open investigations here. The information on this page is for reference only.
Case Update
- April 13, 2020 – Investigation Closed
- Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to this investigation. At this point, attorneys working with ClassAction.org have decided to close their investigation into this matter and no longer need to hear from people who worked on public works projects. If you have questions about your rights, contact an attorney in your area. For an open list of investigations, please visit this page. The information below was posted when the investigation began and exists for reference only.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Those working on public works projects who weren't paid the prevailing wage.
- What Is the Prevailing Wage?
- An hourly rate, as well as benefits and overtime, given to workers who perform certain types of work for the government.
- How Do I Know If I'm Owed a Prevailing Wage?
- If you working on a government contact and live in one of the states listed below, you may be owed a prevailing wage. Prevailing wages are common in skilled trade industries such as mechanics, installation and construction.
- How ClassAction.org Can Help:
- Dozens of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of workers who claimed they weren't paid the prevailing minimum wage. Now, attorneys working with ClassAction.org are speaking with workers, free of charge, to help them determine whether they're getting the wages they're owed.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating lawsuits on behalf of employees who were illegally denied the prevailing wage in their state while working on public contract assignments.
What’s Going On?
In recent years, a number of lawsuits have been filed against employers who either unknowingly or in attempt to save money denied workers the prevailing wage.
In more than 30 states, employers with public contracts are required to pay employees working on government projects a “prevailing wage,” which is typically higher than state or federally mandated minimum wage rates. The prevailing wage is determined on a state-by-state basis and includes an hourly rate, as well as an overtime rate and “fringe benefits,” such as vacation days, medical care and pensions.
How Do I Know If the Prevailing Wage Applies to Me?
In most states, prevailing wages apply in skilled trade industries, such as installation, automotive repair or construction, where employees are working on government projects. Prevailing wages typically do not apply to professionals or support staff, such as architects or administrative assistants.
Have These Lawsuits Been Successful?
In recent years, several lawsuits have been filed on behalf of workers who claimed they were denied the prevailing wage in their state.
Here are some results:
$5.2 million for 500 tugboat captains and deckhands who worked on several Bay Area bridge projects
Nearly $5 million for a group of workers with a Tyco unit who say they weren’t paid the prevailing wage for public works projects during which they tested and inspected fire alarm and sprinkler systems
$5 million settlement for workers who weren’t paid the prevailing wage while working on a light rail project in Washington
$500,000 for those who performed work for an Orange County public works project
Which States Have Prevailing Wage Laws?
According to the Department of Labor (DOL), 32 states have prevailing wage laws.
They are as follows:
- Alaska
- Arkanssas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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