Federal Contractor Pays $49,553 in Back Wages After Investigation by U.S. Department of Labor Finds Prevailing Wage Violations in Nevada

LAS VEGAS, NV – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, F&P Construction has paid $49,553 in back wages and fringe benefits to 35 employees working on the Reno Renewable Diesel Plant to resolve violations of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).

WHD investigators found F&P Construction failed to pay prevailing wages and fringe benefits on a covered government contract and failed to maintain certified payroll records and submit them on a weekly basis to the prime contractor, as required. The employer failed to pay some laborers, operators and oilers working on a portion of the job site the prevailing wages and benefits required by the contract. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding the work at the Reno Renewable Diesel Plant.

“All contractors and sub-contractors must ensure they understand all of the requirements associated with performing work on federally funded construction projects,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Higinio Ramos in Las Vegas, Nevada. “When employers fail to comply with labor laws, it affects the welfare of their employees and undercuts other employers competing for federal contracts. We encourage all employers to contact us for guidance to avoid violations like those found in this case and ensure workers receive the wages they have earned.”

The DBRA requires contractors and subcontractors performing work on federal and certain federally funded projects to pay workers prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits as determined by the U.S. Secretary of Labor and as included in their contracts.

For more information about the DBRA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).  Information is also available at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd.

WHD’s mission is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation’s workforce. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. WHD also enforces the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act and a number of employment standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act and other statutes applicable to federal contracts for construction and for the provision of goods and services.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

# # #