NJDOL Issues Stop-Work Order to Colo. Contractor on Mercer Co. High School Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2023
TRENTON – Investigators from the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s (NJDOL) Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance issued the following stop-work order on August 14, 2023:
Employer: JFT Sports Group LLC of Pueblo, Colorado (subcontractor)
Work Location: Nottingham High School in Hamilton, N.J.
Nature of Work: Track and field upgrades
Details: NJDOL’s Division Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance identified multiple violations while conducting a routine site inspection as part of a broader inspection initiative covering public works projects at schools.
Violations: Failure to Pay Prevailing Wage; Unpaid Wages/Late Payment; Failure to Register; Records (Inaccurate Certified Payrolls); and Obstruction/Hindering the investigation
Number of Workers Affected: 5
Case Status: Awaiting notice of request for a hearing.
Monetary Assessments: Not yet assessed.
NJDOL has issued 139 stop-work orders since these powers were expanded in July 2019.
Stop-work orders are initiated by NJDOL to halt work being performed in a manner that exploits workers, or is otherwise noncompliant with state laws and regulations. An employer may appeal a stop-work order, in which case NJDOL has seven days to schedule a hearing.
NJDOL continues to monitor locations where stop-work orders have been issued, and can assess civil penalties of $5,000 per day against an employer conducting business in violation of the order. The stop-work order may be lifted if and when any remaining back wages and penalties have been paid and all related issues have been resolved.
NJDOL and its partners at the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Department of Community Affairs and the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Department of Education reminding local governments and boards of education of their responsibilities under the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Prevailing Wage Act.
NJDOL maintains a that should be consulted by any government agency or entity before hiring for a public works project. Doing so can help avoid unnecessary project delays and extra costs to businesses, schools, government entities and taxpayers. The list contains thousands of businesses, and is searchable by name, address, registration date, and certificate number.
In addition, registered public works contractors are required to participate in Registered Apprenticeship programs, which ensures that public funds contribute to the training of Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ workers in the construction sector.
For more information on worker benefits and protections, please visit myworkrights.nj.gov.