A construction company in California has been fined over $430,000 for failing to pay workers properly. The fines were imposed after an investigation revealed that 86 carpenters employed by Howood Company Inc. were not paid their wages and overtime for several weeks.
The Labor Commissioner’s Office in California took action to recover the unpaid wages and damages for the affected workers. This settlement affects carpenters who worked on construction projects in San Diego and San Bernardino counties. The investigation began after the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee Inc. filed a complaint about wage theft. Workers reported not receiving their owed wages, which led to a deeper look into Howood’s practices.
The Labor Commissioner’s Office found violations at three construction sites: 1600 Orange Ave in Redlands, as well as 4354-4364 Twain Ave and 1509-1521 Broadway, both in San Diego. Along with Howood Company, two other employers, Wermers Multi-Family Corp. and JPI California Construction LLC, were also cited for multiple labor violations.
This case highlights ongoing issues in the construction industry regarding wage theft and labor rights. The Labor Commissioner’s Office is part of the Department of Industrial Relations, which aims to ensure fair labor practices across the state.