California Labor Commissioner Secures Over $1 Million in Settlement for Wage Theft Involving Glendale Construction Firm

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In Los Angeles, the Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) has successfully negotiated a settlement exceeding $1 million with Glendale-based Calcrete Construction Inc. (Calcrete) for a series of wage theft violations. These violations, which affected 249 construction workers, included non-compliance with overtime and paid sick leave laws.

Workers who were employed at Calcrete from August 1, 2014, to September 30, 2016, are encouraged to contact the LCO at 833-LCO-INFO (833-526-4636). They may be eligible for back wages and damages as part of this settlement.

Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower highlighted the illicit strategies employed by the employer to evade paying the wages due. She emphasized the proactive efforts of her team in reclaiming these unpaid wages and uncovering widespread violations.

The investigation into Calcrete began in October 2016 following a complaint from the Carpenters / Contractors Cooperation Committee, a non-profit organization affiliated with a union and advocating for compliance within the construction sector. The LCO’s findings revealed that Calcrete consistently failed to compensate workers for overtime, did not provide pay for sick leave, and did not issue accurate wage statements. For instance, during the audited period from 2014-2016, employees typically worked 45-68 hours weekly but received no overtime pay. The settlement ensures the affected workers will receive the overtime pay they are owed, including interest, with individual payments varying between $344 and $20,893.

Enforcement investigations like this often involve a detailed payroll review from previous years to identify violations of minimum wage, overtime, and other labor laws, calculating the owed compensation and applicable penalties. Workers underpaid below the minimum wage are entitled to liquidated damages, which include the total amount of the unpaid minimum wages plus interest.

The Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, or the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, is dedicated to combating wage theft and promoting fair business practices by investigating reports of illegal and unfair activities in the workplace.

In 2020, the LCO initiated the “Reaching Every Californian” outreach campaign. This initiative aims to amplify fundamental worker protections and establish connections with impacted groups. The campaign educates workers and employers about legal rights and responsibilities, as well as the Labor Commissioner’s enforcement methods. Californians can stay informed about the Labor Commissioner’s activities and updates through their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

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