Katelyn Walker Mooney Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy | Official Website
The U.S. Department of Labor has successfully recovered $877,834 in back wages and fringe benefits for 36 employees who were underpaid by three Long Island contractors. These workers were involved in two New York projects funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The initial investigation was conducted by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. It revealed that Discover Electric Inc., EMG Industrial Chimney Inc., and QNCC Electrical Contracting Corp. violated the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA). The findings were later confirmed by HUD.
Discover Electric Inc., based in Rockville Centre, misclassified 11 employees as jobbers, maintenance, and repair workers instead of electricians, resulting in underpayment. The company owed these workers $43,984 in wages and $550,321 in fringe benefits.
EMG Industrial Chimney Inc., a construction contractor from West Babylon, failed to pay $69,252 in required prevailing wages and fringe benefits to 21 employees incorrectly categorized as service fitters rather than insulators and sheet metal workers.
QNCC Electrical Contracting Corp., located in Port Washington, did not provide full fringe benefits to four apprentices as required when an apprenticeship program does not specify such benefits. This resulted in $214,277 being owed to the affected employees.
Jorge Alvarez, Wage and Hour Division District Director in New York stated: “The Wage and Hour Division works closely with agencies such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development to enforce the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts."
All three contractors have agreed to comply with DBRA regulations on future contracts subject to these acts.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel emphasized: “Workers deserve fair compensation for their labor.”
Violations occurred at worksites located at 463 West St. for Discover Electric Inc. and EMG Industrial Chimney Inc., while QNCC Electrical Contracting Corp.'s violations took place at 10 Monroe St., both sites are situated within New York City.
To promote compliance with prevailing wage requirements, the Wage and Hour Division will hold a series of online seminars throughout 2024-2025 with free registration available online.
For more information about federal contractor requirements or confidential compliance assistance, individuals can contact the division's helpline or use its timesheet app for accurate tracking of hours worked.
