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WHAT'S NEW?
California Clearly Extends Prevailing Wage Coverage to Fuel Reduction Work Effective July 1, 2026.
For the last several years, the issue as to whether fuel reduction work, tree thinning and fire break work teetered between prevailing and nonprevailing wage work. The California legislature clearly stated in AB 338 that effective July 1, 2026 fuel reduction work, including residential chipping, rural road fuel breaks and firebreaks contracted for and using public funds will be subject to California prevailing wages.
There are a few exceptions (See California Public Resources Codes 80200, 80203 and 80204.) The exceptions include work performed on Indian land, work performed involving a contract with a nonprofit until July 1, 2027 and any work performed by inmates. Finally, prevailing wage does not apply to any contract which is executed before July 1, 2026 unless it is renewed after July 1, 2026.
Oregon Implements New Wage Notice Requirement to New Hires
Effective January 1, 2026, an employer is required to provide written documentation to all new employees as to the applicable rate an employee will earn. While this requirement is not a specific prevailing wage requirement, employers need to know that several states now have requirements to notify workers in writing as to specific wages to be paid at the time they are hired.
Please note that all jurisdictions enforcing prevailing wages also require that the applicable prevailing wage determination must be posted on the jobsite. If there is not anywhere to post the wages, then the wages must be posted where the worker can easily see the wages. That may be a the shop where they clock in or a copy in a binder under the seat of the company truck, or an email to the worker. Some employers have begun sending notices to workers listing the specific prevailing wages that the worker will receive for the project if there is no place to post the wages.
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