Multiple North Jersey Construction Sites Halted for Workers' Rights Violations

NJDOL Issues Stop-Work Orders to Multiple North Jersey Construction Sites, North Bergen Contractor Must Halt All Work Statewide.Photo byMorristown Minute

Stop-Work Orders Issued to Contractors for Workers' Rights Violations

NORTHERN NEW JERSEY - The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) issued stop-work orders on July 10, 2024, to construction sites in North Bergen and Jersey City, citing numerous workers’ rights violations.

The orders affected subcontractors MJSS Construction LLC of Newark and Yolo Construction Corp. of North Bergen, and the primary contractor Euro Concrete of Jersey City. A company-wide stop-work order was also issued to Yolo Construction Corp., mandating a halt to all work statewide.

“These egregious practices not only undermine the law, but also create a damaging environment of unfair competition by undercutting those businesses who do adhere to our state’s high labor standards,” said Assistant Commissioner Joseph Petrecca of the NJDOL’s Division of Wage and Hour Compliance. “The department remains committed to ensuring fairness for both workers and employers who follow the law.”

At the heart of the violations were improper classification of workers, overtime rate discrepancies, inadequate Earned Sick Leave records and notifications, and issues surrounding unpaid or late wages. Specifically, at the 96 Tonnelle Avenue project in Jersey City, MJSS Construction, hired by Euro Concrete, faced violations affecting 87 workers.

Similar violations were uncovered involving Yolo Construction at the same site, as well as at 2958 JFK Boulevard in Jersey City and 8619 Bergenline Avenue in North Bergen, affecting 45 workers.

Euro Concrete also received a stop-work order for a project at 135 Columbus Drive in Jersey City. However, the order was lifted after the company demonstrated compliance at this location. Despite this, Euro Concrete remains jointly and severally liable for Yolo Construction’s workers at the 2958 JFK Boulevard site.

The company has agreed to pay $44,080.60 in wages, a misclassification penalty of $25,536.33, and $31,961.69 in administrative fees. In response, Euro Concrete has revised its subcontract agreements to ensure future compliance with wage and hour laws.

NJDOL's actions mark the 167th instance of issuing stop-work orders since July 2019. The stop-work order against Yolo Construction marks the second company-wide order, following the first in April 2021.

Employers who receive stop-work orders may appeal, and NJDOL must then schedule a hearing within seven days. Violations of these orders can result in civil penalties of $5,000 per day.

For more information on worker benefits and protections, visit myworkrights.nj.gov.

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