A contractor based in Riverhead, New York, has been indicted for willfully failing to pay the prevailing wage on a public works contract for a renovation project in Brookhaven, New York. The charges stem from allegations of misclassifying employees’ job categories on certified payrolls, resulting in over $83,000 in unpaid wages. The owner of this […]
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News Room: Department of Labor Defends Prevailing Wage Rule for Truck Drivers
Following a legal challenge, the Department of Labor is defending its rule to extend prevailing wage protections to truck drivers working on federally funded projects. A federal court in Texas blocked the rule, but the DOL is now appealing the decision in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. This case highlights ongoing debates on the […]
News Room: NYDOL Registration Now Required for New York Contractors and Subcontractors
Starting December 30, 2024, contractors and subcontractors must register with NYSDOL before submitting bids or starting work on public projects or certain private projects. Registration is required to obtain a Certificate of Registration, which is necessary to avoid delays in the bidding process or construction scheduling. Click the link below to view more information about […]
Davis-Bacon & Prevailing Wage Resource Gathering
It doesn’t matter who you are in the public works construction space, everyone starts somewhere. And for those that had their introduction long ago but haven’t had a prevailing wage project in a while – well, a refresh never hurts. Whether you’re a contractor needing to comply or a prime/public agency monitoring the compliance, it’s […]
News Room: Federal Interest Rate Cut Expected to Spur New Construction Projects
The Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut offers a glimmer of hope for the industry, potentially easing borrowing costs and boosting project pipelines. While experts predict a gradual impact due to long project cycles, developers and contractors are cautiously optimistic about renewed investment in 2025. Click the link below to discover what challenges might delay the […]
Understanding Prevailing Wages and Fringes Under Davis-Bacon
Prevailing wages and fringe benefits are two key components of the Davis-Bacon Act. But what exactly does “prevailing wage” mean, and how is it determined? Contrary to the idea of minimum wage, a prevailing wage represents the minimum acceptable compensation in a specific trade and region for public works projects. It includes two key parts: […]
News Room: Department of Labor Hosts Seminar on 2025 Prevailing Wage Rules on November 13th
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will offer online seminars on prevailing wage requirements for fiscal year 2025, targeting contractors, agencies, unions, and workers involved in federally funded construction projects. These two-day seminars, scheduled for various dates between November 2024 and September 2025, will cover the Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, and […]
News Room: Federal Contractor in South Carolina Ordered to Pay Over $1M in Back Wages to Workers
The U.S. Department of Labor recently recovered over $1 million in back wages for 43 employees of a federal contractor in Goose Creek. These workers were being paid less than what federal law requires. Here’s what happened: After this South Carolina contractor absorbed a government service provider, they changed the job titles of quality control […]
Ask the Expert: August 2024
Question We are an institution that receives federal funding through the Pell Grant Program and Direct Student Loans program. Our projects can also include funds from local taxes, bond programs, and state allocations. If we include the Davis-Bacon requirement in our GC contracts, are we required to review certify payrolls submitted by subs? Answer: From […]
Understanding Kickbacks and Their Relationship to Prevailing Wage
The United States employs various mechanisms to safeguard workers’ rights. Prevailing wage is one of the most crucial for those working in public works construction, but just like any industry, there are unethical practices that can undermine these laws. Kickbacks are one of those practices. What Are Kickbacks? Kickbacks are illicit payments made to someone or […]
