Construction: Pre-Construction Remedial

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1) What are " rp evaili2,a wage rates~" A prevailing wage rate is the minimum wage, including fringe benefits, to be paid workers employed on contracts for public works. Different rates are established for specific trades and specific geographicai areas. 2) Who must be p~.iS~ rn evailiLi9 w~ge rates~" All employees of a contractor or subcontractor engaged on a public works project when the total price of the project is 525,000 or more must receive at least the prevailing wage rate (PWR) for time worked on the project, unless otherwise exempt. Office/clerical employees and supervisory employees who are supervisory only and do not perform any hands-on labor are not required to be paid the PWR. A person who owns n~ operates his/her own truck on construction projects (Owner/Operator) is not required to be paid the PWR. This does not include owner-operators of any other type of equipment such as bulldozer, scrapers, backhoes, cranes, drilling rigs, or welding machines. 3) ~^Jhat about contracts when Federal funds are used~ When more than 52,000 of federal funds are involved, the contract is usuallv subject to the provisions of the federal Davis-Bacon Act, not Oregon PWR statutes. (Further information may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Portland, Oregon (503-326-3057).) In the event that federal funds are involved, but the contract is not regulated under the Davis-Bacon Act, Oregon's prevailing wage rate statutes may apply (ORS 279.348 - 279.380). Oregon statutes ~ertainin4 to overtime reauirements ~{~Iv on both state and federallv rp~~~latP~± cr~ntracts. IORS 279.3341. 4) I don't have a nension fund How do I calculate fringe benefits? Workers must receive at a minimum the sum of the basic hourly rate plus all fringe benefits for each hour worked on a public works contract. Fringe benefits may be paid either to a third party trust account or in cash directly to the worker. 5) MX em~loyees receive health benefits Do Lget credit for the health benefit when I preoare mv ~yl lo I on a nublic works ~roject? Yes. ~ii y expenditures an employer makes for bona fide employee benefits can be charged against the fringe benefit payments designated in the prevailing wage rate booklet. To learn how to compute the correct hourly charge, call the Wage and Hour Division (503-731-4074). 6) What if the em I{Loyees are not naid on an hourly basis~ All workers must receive at least the basic hourly rate of wage and fringe benefits for each hour worked on the project. If an employee is paid other than on an hourly basis, the equivalent hourly rate (for both wages and fringe benefits) must still be at least equal to the rates published. 7) How do I classify workers? Virtually all of the job classifications/trades normally used in the non-residential construction industry are represented by the job classifications used in this PWR publication. These classification titles should be used according to common practice. If you need residential construction rates, or if you have questions about how to classify workers, contact the Prevailing Wage Rate Coordinator at (503)-731-4074. Laborers who do basic work requiring no specific skills, training, or knowledge are generally classified as Group 1 Laborers. (Note that Landscapers are classified as Laborers, and Ornamental Ironworkers are classified as Ironworkers.) JULY 1. 1997 PAGE 4