Utility Workers Prevailing Wage

Several states have recently enacted laws which require prevailing wages to be paid to construction workers who perform work on public utility systems.  This can include electric line workers, cable or broadband installers, and gas utility workers.

For example, in New York, the recently enacted Roadway Excavation Quality Assurance Act (A.5608/S.4887) (NY Labor Law Section 224-F), requires that prevailing wages be paid to all construction workers on “covered excavation projects” entered into September 15, 2023 or later, where a permit is issued to a contractor or subcontractor to use, open or excavate a street.

In New Jersey, N.J. Stat. § 34:13B-2.1 requires that any construction contractor which enters into a construction contract with a public utility must pay the prevailing wage to all construction workers, pursuant to the NJ Prevailing Wage Act.

In Maryland, Public Utilities Article 5-305 mandates that as of June 1, 2023, investor-owned gas and electric utilities require that contractors and subcontractors performing underground work on the utility’s system pay their workers prevailing wages. This section even requires that traffic control workers (e.g., Flaggers) performing work related to the utility construction also be paid prevailing wages.

How can we help?

Goodley McCarthy is experienced in representing workers in unpaid prevailing wage lawsuits. Typically, we bring these cases as class actions, so you won't be fighting the company by yourself. You will have a team of lawyers representing you and your co-workers. And because we take these cases on a contingent fee basis, there's no cost to you. We don't get paid unless we get money for you and the class.

​What should I do next?

Contact us today. One of our lawyers will contact you to schedule a free 30-minute consultation so that we can get your side of the story and evaluate your rights under the applicable state and federal wage and hour laws.