Maryland plumbing subcontractor pays $50K in back wages, benefits following US Labor Department investigation

COLUMBIA, MD – A Columbia plumbing subcontractor working on a federally funded project in Washington, D.C. failed to pay workers all the wages they earned, until a U.S. Department of Labor investigation recovered $50,088 in back wages and benefits for four employees. 

An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found CRL Plumbing System LLC violated the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts when it failed to pay the required prevailing wages and fringe benefits to four plumbers working at a district work site. The employer classified plumbers erroneously as skilled laborers and paid them $25.05 per hour rather than the correct hourly rate of more than $40 for their job classification. CRL Plumbing also paid those workers below the required hourly rate for fringe benefits required by their contract. 

“Enforcement of the prevailing wage laws levels the playing field for all contractors and protects the wages of hard-working, middle-class American workers,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Roberto Melendez in Richmond, Virginia. “All contractors and subcontractors working on federally funded contracts must comply with the law to ensure workers are paid fairly and receive their earned benefits. The Wage and Hour Division will remain vigilant in its enforcement to ensure employees get paid the wages they have earned.”

Contractors and subcontractors on federally funded construction projects are required to pay covered workers weekly and submit certified payroll records to the federal agency contracting the work. They are also required to post the Davis-Bacon poster (WH-1321) on the job site so that workers are aware of their protections.

CRL Plumbing System LLC specializes in the installation of commercial and residential plumbing systems. The company subcontracts for large companies working on contracts with federal government agencies and the private sector.

For more information about the DBRA and other laws enforced by the division, contact the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Additionally, the division’s Community Outreach Resource Planning Specialists conduct ongoing outreach activities to educate stakeholders, including employers, employees, business and labor groups, and professional associations, among others, with accessible, easy-to-understand information about their rights and responsibilities. Contact the nearest division local office to connect with the CORPS.

Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division.