Official Site of The State of New JerseyNJDOL Reaches Landmark Compliance Agreement with Eatontown Contractor Performing Construction Work at Jersey City Apartment Complex
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2024
TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has reached a settlement and landmark compliance agreement with Concrete Rising LLC of Eatontown after an investigation found numerous violations affecting 181 workers performing construction work at The Wave, a residential apartment complex being built in Jersey City.
Concrete Rising has agreed to pay $402,397.28 to the affected workers, and $127,739.73 in fees and penalties. The contractor also accepted a three-year debarment from participating in public work.
“New Jersey’s wage and hour laws have been judiciously crafted to protect workers from unscrupulous practices and businesses from unfair competition. As a department, our job is not only to bring justice to workers who have been wronged, but also to educate employers on the law to bring them into compliance,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “I am pleased the agreement with Concrete Rising will ensure both present and future workers are provided with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
The settlement includes an enhanced compliance agreement whereby Concrete Rising will use a timekeeping system on all projects, as well as hire an independent integrity monitor for 12 months to ensure the contractor is meeting the requirements of the agreement. The company also will add a stipulation to their subcontractor agreements to allow Concrete Rising or the integrity monitor to audit the subcontractor’s records to assist with compliance.
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) brought the alleged violations to the attention of NJDOL’s Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance. NJDOL investigators conducted a site inspection where several Concrete Rising workers were interviewed, each indicating they were paid in cash without statutory deductions, had a fee taken from their pay, and were not being paid appropriate overtime.
“I commend the New Jersey Department of Labor for holding Concrete Rising accountable for wage theft from immigrant workers in Jersey City. Sadly, employers have gotten comfortable turning an illicit profit by exploiting disadvantaged workers,” said Mike Hellstrom, LIUNA Vice President and Eastern Region Business Manager. “Through the enforcement of our state’s labor laws, NJDOL’s dedicated staff have sent a message to bad employers everywhere: that their exploitation will not be tolerated and that New Jersey will protect workers, regardless of their immigration status.”
A stop-work order was issued to Concrete Rising in April of 2023 to halt work at the project site, 30 Park Lane North. Violations included: failure to pay overtime; illegal deductions; improper classification of construction workers; failing to properly classify employees; and unpaid wages/late payment.
“I want to thank the Department of Labor and LIUNA for helping me reclaim the wages stolen by my employers. My life has changed for the better.,” said Elmer Martinez Flores, a worker at the project site. “I now work as a union member earning good wages. Every worker should know that whatever your immigration status is, you have rights, and the Department of Labor will help you.”
Concrete Rising had hired subcontractor Signatura Laboris of Englewood, which was also issued a stop-work order. As such, Concrete Rising was jointly liable for the subcontractor’s violations.
NJDOL is committed to serving all New Jersey workers, regardless of nationality or immigration status. All residents have equal protection under New Jersey law.
For more information on New Jersey’s wage and hour laws, visit myworkrights.nj.gov.
