Avoiding Wage Claims in California Construction

For both private works projects and state and local public works projects in California, higher-tiered contractors can find themselves opening up their wallets if…

California Supreme Court Holds that Prevailing Wages are Not Required for Mobilization Work, for Now

In the midst of the Great Depression the federal government enacted the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. section 32141 et seq.) to help workers on federal construction projects. Under…

9th Circuit Closes the Door on “Open Shop” Contractor

At the height of the Great Depression nearly one-quarter of Americans were unemployed. In response, Congress enacted a series of laws including the Smoot-Hawley Tariffs Act,…

Contractors State License Board Beefs Up Public Works Unit

The California Contractors State License Board (“CSLB”) has announced that it’s beefing up its Public Works Unit to help ensure that contractors bidding and performing work…

2014 California Construction Law Update

Approximately 2,000 bills were introduced in the California State Legislature during the 2013-2014 legislative session. Of these, 896 bills made it to Governor Brown’s desk and…

Workers, Wages and Wage Assessments: California Labor Commissioner Cracks Down on Prevailing Wage Violations

Don’t mess with the California Labor Commissioner. Seriously. Don’t. Julie Su, California’s Labor Commissioner, has been making headlines recently as California’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement…