California prevailing wage law and maintenance work
Maintenance work performed for various California Awarding Bodies could be covered under California prevailing wage laws.
Under California Labor Code section 1771 any projects over $1,000 require the general prevailing rate to be paid for work of a similar character in the locality in which the public work is performed. Not less than the general prevailing rate for holiday and overtime work shall also be paid to all workers working for contractors and subcontractors employed on public works.
In California, awarding bodies are defined as public agencies (i.e. state, county, city, school districts) and private entities receiving public funds that contract for public works projects.
Examples of maintenance work covered by prevailing wage
Maintenance work performed for awarding bodies by contractors or subcontractors can include any types of inspections, regularly scheduled services, equipment repairs or emergency call outs on buildings or equipment owned or operated by awarding bodies. This work may require the payment of prevailing wages under CA Labor Code § 1771.
For example, building technicians providing building maintenance, which can include plumbing, painting, HVAC repair, electrical or labor can be considered as covered work requiring the payment of prevailing wages.
Other examples include technicians performing maintenance on equipment at transportation districts, such as compressor technicians performing maintenance or repair, or operational work on clean fuel compressors for CNG, LNG and HNG at public bus depos or yards owned and operated by sanitation districts or other awarding bodies may also be covered work requiring the payment of prevailing wages.
Maintenance technicians working at California airports on baggage systems, passenger boarding bridges or other equipment may be considered as covered work requiring the payment of prevailing wages.
What to do if you were underpaid for maintenance work
Unfortunately, many employees working for contractors or subcontractors performing maintenance work may not be getting paid the required prevailing wage rates, and could be owed substantial back wages.
If you are employed by a contractor or subcontractor and are currently performing, or have performed, any maintenance work for an awarding body in California and were not paid prevailing wages or are unclear if you were paid the proper prevailing wage rate that most closely resembles the work performed, contact Donahoo & Associates for a private and confidential consultation to determine if you are owed back wages.
