Official Site of The State of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2023

TRENTON – Investigators from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) issued the following stop-work order on July 20:

Employer:  Gravity Construction Corp., Jamaica, N.Y. (subcontractor)

Work Location:  Roosevelt Intermediate School, Westfield, N.J.

Nature of Work: Facade renovations

Details: NJDOL’s Division Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance received a statement via the Laborers Union signed by three workers indicating they were being paid less than the New Jersey Prevailing Wage rate as building laborers conducting clean-up at a construction site.

Violations:  Failure to Pay Prevailing Wage; Unpaid Wages/Late Payment; Failure to Register; Failing to Properly Classify Employees; Improper Classification of a Construction Worker

Number of Workers Affected: 3

Case Status: Awaiting notice of request for a hearing.

Monetary Assessments: Not yet assessed.

NJDOL has issued 111 stop-work orders since this power was 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.

The NJDOL maintains a record of registered public works contractors 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 New Jersey workers in the construction sector.

For more information on worker benefits and protections, please visit myworkrights.nj.gov. 

For more information about prior stop-work orders issued, click here.

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