US Department of Labor recovers $94K for 8 laborers after investigation finds Detroit area contractor failed to pay prevailing wages, fringe benefits

CHESTERFIELD, MI – A Chesterfield electrical subcontractor violated the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts by paying electricians, laborers and apprentices on a federal construction project less than the required prevailing wage rates and benefits.

An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found Sawyer Services – a subcontractor on the General Services Administration project – did not pay the correct wages to employees doing electrical work for the renovation of Detroit’s Patrick V. McNamara Building. Investigators found the employer incorrectly paid both laborers and electricians the lesser prevailing wages rates for low-voltage installers or technicians, even though their work was not restricted to low-voltage data cabling.

The investigators also found violations of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act’s overtime and record keeping provisions.

“Contractors and subcontractors must pay workers employed on federally funded work sites the local prevailing wages and fringe benefits listed in the Davis-Bacon wage determination for the contract,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Timolin Mitchell in Detroit. “Following our investigation Sawyer Services promptly paid the back wages and is evaluating their pay practices to ensure all employees on the job site receive the wages and benefits they are due.”

Sawyer Services is also working with the department’s Office of Apprenticeship to ensure its apprentices register in bonafide apprentice programs.

Contractors and subcontractors on federally funded projects are required to pay covered workers weekly and submit weekly certified payroll records to the contracting agency. They are also required to post the Davis-Bacon poster (WH-1321) on the job site.

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). 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.