In the first case of its kind under the California prevailing wage law, the firm successfully defended a Civil Wage and Penalty Assessment issued by the California Labor Commissioner against a cultural resources management firm (“CRM”). The Labor Commissioner sought over $200,000 in back wages, penalties and liquidated damages relating to archaeological monitoring and testing services that the CRM firm had performed prior to and during the construction of a rail improvement project. The firm successfully argued that none of archaeological work was covered by the California prevailing wage law because such work was not work performed in “execution of the [public works construction] contract.” After extensive briefing and a hearing, the Director of Industrial relations agreed with the firm and found that the archeological work performed by the firm’s client was not covered by the prevailing wage law. As a result, the entire assessment was dismissed.
A copy of the Director’s decisions can be found here.
DIR Case No. 14-0418-PWH
Counsel: Chad T. Wishchuk