Prevailing Wage Rates for State Building Service Workers - General Information
On January 12, 2006, legislation was enacted that establishes wage standards for workers employed by contractors and subcontractors performing "building services" for properties or premises owned or leased by the State. The new law will affect contracts entered or renewed on or after March 13, 2006.
"Building services" as defined by this law includes "cleaning or building maintenance work, including but not limited to sweeping, vacuuming, floor cleaning, cleaning of rest rooms, collecting refuse or trash, window cleaning, engineering, securing, patrolling, or other work in connection with the care, securing or maintenance of an existing building."
The new law applies equally to contracts for building services in State-owned and State-leased buildings. For the building to be considered "leased by the State," 55% or more of the property must be leased by the State and the portion of the building leased must measure more than 20,000 square feet.
Exemptions:
"Building services" as defined by this law includes "cleaning or building maintenance work, including but not limited to sweeping, vacuuming, floor cleaning, cleaning of rest rooms, collecting refuse or trash, window cleaning, engineering, securing, patrolling, or other work in connection with the care, securing or maintenance of an existing building."
The new law applies equally to contracts for building services in State-owned and State-leased buildings. For the building to be considered "leased by the State," 55% or more of the property must be leased by the State and the portion of the building leased must measure more than 20,000 square feet.
Exemptions:
"Building services" does not include any maintenance-type repair work or other public work for which a contractor is required to pay "prevailing wages" as defined in the "New Jersey State Prevailing Wage Act," N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq.
Employment of individuals with disabilities: For any occupation that is covered under the "building services" rate, the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development may issue to any employee, including a learner, apprentice, or student, whose earning capacity is impaired by age or physical or developmental disability or injury, a special license authorizing employment at wages less than the wage standard designated by the Commissioner for building service contracts. Click here to obtain an application to pay less to a disabled person.Effective with any new or renewed state building services contracts entered on or after March 13, 2006, contractors and subcontractors must pay employees the established wage standard for the appropriate New Jersey county and classification of building service employee.
