The Act requires the payment of minimum rates of pay to laborers, craftsmen and apprentices employed on public works projects. Covered workers must receive the appropriate craft prevailing wage rate as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. Prevailing wage rates are wage rates based on the collective bargaining agreements established for a particular craft or trade in the locality in which the public work is performed. In New Jersey, these rates vary by county and by the type of work performed.
Public works projects subject to the Act are those funded in whole or in part with the funds of a public body. Contracts awarded directly by municipal government must be valued at $14,187 or more to be covered by the Act. For all other public entities, including municipal utility authorities and boards of education, the threshold is $2,000.
Anyone interested in bidding on or engaging in any contract (or part thereof) for public work which is subject to the provisions of the Prevailing Wage Act must register with the Division of Wage and Hour Compliance as required by the Public Works Contractor Registration Act (PWCRA) P.L. 1999, c.238-N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.48 et seq. which establishes a unified procedure for the registration of contractors and subcontractors engaged in public works building projects. The PWCRA requires an annual registration fee of $300. After successful completion of two consecutive years of registration, a contractor may elect to register for a two year period and pay a registration fee of $500.
Upon registration, the contractor and/or subcontractor will be issued a certificate indicating compliance with the requirements of the Act. Public bodies are expected to require proof of registration of all contractors bidding on the project and all subcontractors identified in such bids.
DEFINITION OF PUBLIC CONTRACTS WORK
Public work means any construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration or repair work, or maintenance work including painting and decorating, done under contract and paid for in whole or in part out of the funds of the public body, except work performed under a rehabilitation program. Public work also means construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, or repair work done on any property or premises, whether or not the work is paid from public funds, if at the time of entering into the contract:
- Not less than 55% of the property or premises is leased by a public body, or is subject to an agreement to be subsequently leased by the public body; and
- The portion of the property or premises that is leased or subject to an agreement to be subsequently leased by the public body measures more than 20,000 square feet.
- the distribution of a prevailing wage rate determination for each trade, craft and classification;
- the routine site inspections of public construction projects;
- the implementation of fines and penalties to offenders; and
- the debarment from bidding and working on public works projects for three years for those contractors determined to be serious offenders.
- the name, address, social security number, craft or trade of each worker, and;
- the actual hourly rate of pay, actual daily, overtime and weekly hours worked in each craft or trade, gross pay, itemized deductions, and net pay paid to the employee; such record shall also include:
a. any fringe benefits paid to approved plans, funds or programs on behalf of the employee; and
b. fringe benefits paid in cash to the employee.
PREVAILING WAGE RATE DETERMINATIONS
The Prevailing Wage Rate Determinations list wage and fringe benefit rates based on collective bargaining agreements established for a particular craft or trade on the locality in which the public work is performed. In New Jersey, rates vary by county and statewide and by the type of work performed.
To view either the statewide and/or individual county lists detailing Prevailing Wage Rate Determinations click here.
To request an Official Wage Rate Determination click here.
Applicable prevailing wage rates are those wages and fringe benefits in effect on the date the contract is awarded. All pre-determined rate increases listed at the time the contract is awarded must also be paid, beginning on the dates specified.
Rates may change between the time of issuance of the determination and the award of the public works contract. Therefore, verification must be made to insure that the rates contained in the determination are prevailing rates in effect for the specific location the work is being performed prior to the award of the public works contract. If a new rate is not listed after the expiration date, the old rate will be deemed the prevailing wage rate.
All contractors and subcontractors performing public work for a public body shall post the prevailing wage rates for each craft and classification, including the effective date of any changes to the rate, in a prominent and easily accessible place at the site of the work or at such places that are used by employers to pay workers their wages.
PREVAILING WAGE FORMS
Employee wage claim form for non-payment of prevailing wage rate (MW-31B).
Payroll Certification for Public Works Projects (for Contractor and Sub-Contractor's Use for Weekly and Final Certification) - Effective February 18, 1992 Regulation N.J.A.C. 12:60-2.1 and 6.1 of the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act, N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et. seq. requires that certified payroll records must be submitted to the public body, by all contractors and subcontractors, for each employee on the project within ten (10) days of the payment of wages. The public body shall receive, file and make available for inspection during normal business hours the certified payroll records.
If you have any additional questions you may contact the section at (609) 292-2259 or 292-2283. You may also mail questions to the following address:
NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Division of Wage & Hour Compliance
Public Contracts Section
P.O. Box 389
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0389
