2015 Prevailing Wage Rates in Construction Released by Department of Labor

January 13, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2015 Media Contact: Julie Rabinowitz

Prevailing wage rates are the minimum rates contractors must pay on State-contracted public works projects estimated to cost $50,000 or more.

AUGUSTA--The Bureau of Labor Standards at the Maine Department of Labor has released its Prevailing Wage Rates for Maine state-funded construction projects in 2015. Each construction project led by a State agency that is over $50,000 and funded with State money is required to have a prevailing wage determination attached to the bid document, which includes the minimum hourly wages and benefits the construction workers are to receive while working on that particular project. The official determination must be posted at the work site where the wages apply.

The bureau's Construction Wage Survey (CWS) collected 2014 data for 11,891 employees from 2,903 employers for the purpose of setting the prevailing wages. More information is available online at http://maine.gov/labor/labor_stats/publications/wagerateconst/index.html .

The Bureau of Labor Standards? Wage and Hour Division provides oversight of Maine?s labor laws, including laws on minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, prevailing wage, breaks, leave, hours and dismissals. The bureau?s Workplace Safety and Health Division manages SafetyWorks!, the department?s on-site health and safety consultation and training program for Maine businesses, and enforces workplace safety regulations for public-sector employers.

Workers or employers with questions or concerns about either workplace safety or wage and hour issues should contact the department at 623-7900 or http://www.maine.gov/labor . Frequently asked questions about wage and hour laws are available at http://www.maine.gov/labor/labor_laws/faqs.html , and free labor law posters are available for download at http://www.maine.gov/labor/posters/index.html .

Employers interested in free safety training, labor law classes, and the safety recognition programs that exempt employers from federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections should visit http://www.safetyworksmaine.com/index.shtml .

The Maine Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

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