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Workers to Collect $8M in Wage Case
Thousands of workers who built a Hilton hotel in San Diego, CA, will receive more than $8 million owed to them in a prevailing-wage case, according to California’s Labor Commission.
The hotel project had been deemed a public work, because of millions of dollars in credits that the private developer received from the San Diego Port District.
The workers—employed by national contractor Hensel Phelps Construction Company and 172 subcontractors during construction of the 1,190-room Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel—will receive the full prevailing wages they earned on the public works project, the Commission announced in a news release Monday (June 17).
Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su said she had collected $8,072,273 in unpaid prevailing wages on behalf of 2,051 workers who built the hotel from 2006 to 2008.
The workers performed every aspect of the construction project, from concrete pouring to steel erection, the Commission said.
Hotel Considered ‘Public Work’
The director had determined that the project was a “public work” as it was paid for out of public funds due to a $46.5 million rent credit provided by the San Diego Port District, which leased the land to the hotel owner.
The Labor Commissioner’s office has made a commitment to enforcing public-works laws so that workers and legitimate businesses can thrive,” said Christine Baker, director of the Department of Industrial Relations.
The San Diego Superior Court issued a writ of mandate on Feb. 3, 2010, reversing the director’s determination and finding the project was not a public work.
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| Hensel Phelps Construction |
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The national contractor's portfolio includes projects across the country, including a new terminal ticket hall at Dallas Love Field in Texas. The company says it will pay a third-party administrator to process payments to the workers who built the Hilton in San Diego. |
However, the California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District, Division One, reversed the trial court and affirmed the director's decision on July 26, 2011, according to the Commission.
Wages, Reimbursement Procedures
Following the ruling, Hensel Phelps Construction and the Commission negotiated the amount of wages due to the workers, according to the announcement.
The contractor said it will pay a third-party administrator to process payments to the workers.
The Labor Commission also said Hensel Phelps Construction would pay an additional $400,000 to the Commission as reimbursement for investigative costs.
The company did not respond to a request for comment Monday afternoon.
Hensel Phelps Construction, headquartered in Greeley, CO, provides design/build services throughout the United States and operates eight regional district offices.
