Labor Commissioner Fines Contractor over $200,000 for Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Violations

LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su has ordered Icon Metal Works Inc. to pay $129,562 in wages, $47,575 in prevailing wage fines and $28,700 in apprenticeship fines for work performed at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA).

An investigation by the Labor Commissioner's Office uncovered evidence establishing the Fontana-based company willfully violated public works laws by underpaying its workers approximately $16 per hour. In addition, Icon failed to employ the proper amount of apprentices as required by law.

"Our investigations have been streamlined so that the same investigator can now review public works and apprenticeship requirements after the passage of Senate Bill 1038 last year," stated Christine Baker, director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The Labor Commissioner's office, also known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), is a division of DIR. 

CSULA hired Stanton-based general contractor USS Cal Builders, Inc. for its campus Public Safety Building and Welcome Center project.  USS Cal Builders entered into a subcontract with Icon to erect the structural steel for this project and can be jointly liable for all underpayments made to Icon workers. 

"This is a new era for public works enforcement at DLSE," stated Commissioner Su.  "Our public works investigators are trained to investigate all aspects of state prevailing wage and apprenticeship law. This will protect workers and law abiding contractors, as well as ensure that apprentices are properly trained and used on public works projects."

The Labor Commissioner's office, also known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, adjudicates wage claims, investigates discrimination and public works complaints and enforces state labor law. Additional information on labor laws and work-related topics are available on our website as well as on Facebook and Twitter.          

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may call the California Workers' Information Hotline at (866) 924-9757 for recorded information on a variety of work related topics. For media inquiries contact Erika Monterroza at (510) 286-1164 or Peter Melton at (510) 286-7046.

SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations, California Labor Commissioner