Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo have announced legal action against a general contractor and five subcontractors for allegedly engaging in labor violations related to a Jersey City construction project.

The lawsuit accuses Grand Street Construction, LLC and subcontractors BWK Construction LLC, P&B Partitions Inc., Blue Star Drywall Corp, Drywall Builders Corp, and Williams Drywall, LLC of paying construction workers off the books and denying them lawful pay and benefits at the 88 Regent Street apartment building site.

Governor Murphy's administration has enhanced labor protections for construction workers, enabling NJDOL to hold general contractors responsible for subcontractors' violations. "Our state's construction workers deserve the full protection of our state's labor laws," said Attorney General Platkin. "We will act against general contractors who benefit from labor violations committed by their subcontractors."

Labor Commissioner Asaro-Angelo emphasized a continued effort to stop businesses in New Jersey from gaining unfair advantages by shortchanging employees.

The lawsuit was prompted by a complaint investigated by NJDOL's Wage and Hour Division in collaboration with the Treasury and Banking and Insurance Departments. The inspection revealed failures to pay overtime and timely wages, lack of proper record-keeping, and non-compliance with required contributions to state funds among others.

GSC subcontracted work to the companies involved, who allegedly paid workers in cash or by check. The lawsuit seeks wages and damages owed to employees, and penalties for the contractors' failure to comply with labor laws.

The Attorney General's Division of Law, represented by several Deputy Attorneys General, is handling the matter. More detailed information on worker protections and compliance obligations for businesses is available through state resources.