By: Follow South Jersey Staff
BERLIN, N.J. – A&I Electrical Construction, LLC, a solar panel contractor, was recently cited by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) for failure to pay prevailing wage on a public works project, among other violations, according to a press release from the NJDOL.
The company was contracted by the Board of Public Utilities under the agency’s Solar Renewable Energy Credits financial assistance program to construct a solar field in Jackson Township. The project called for the construction of a solar field generating 1.6 megawatts of power, making it subject to state prevailing wage law. The company said it was unaware the state’s prevailing wage law applied and cooperated fully with the investigation.
NJDOL’s investigation was initiated after workers complained they were not paid appropriately for work subject to prevailing wage law. The investigation found 31 workers to be due $226,480 in back wages.
“Under the Murphy Administration, our department has been dedicated to ensuring that contractors selected to complete taxpayer-funded projects are abiding by the law and treating workers fairly,” Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said. “Performing public work is a privilege, not a right. We are making sure it pays to follow the rules.”
The investigation also uncovered violations for late payment of wages and failure to complete certified payroll records as required. An assessment of $370,418 was made against A&I Electrical Construction for the unpaid wages, plus penalties and fees, which has been paid in full. The contractor further agreed not to perform prevailing wage work for a minimum of five months.
For more information on New Jersey’s wage and hour laws, please visit myworkrights.nj.gov.
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