In 2014, the Stark County Court of Common Pleas (“Court”) ruled that Courtad, Inc. (“Courtad”) intentionally violated Ohio’s Prevailing Wage Laws. Recently, the Ohio Supreme Court declined jurisdiction in the case, effectively affirming this 2014 ruling. Courtad is an architectural metal specialist company located in Mantua, Ohio. Sheet Metal Workers 33 brought suit against Courtad, claiming they violated state prevailing wage laws.
Prevailing wage laws are designed to prevent underpayment of employees or contractors on publicly funded construction projects. Ohio’s law requires that anyone working on a public improvement project over a threshold amount be paid the prevailing wage for the locality where the work takes place. This helps to ensure fair rates and quality work on projects.
The Court found that Courtad intentionally violated the law by failing to pay its employees the prevailing wage rate when work was performed on Stark State College Business & Entrepreneurial Center. As an intentional violator, the company has been placed on the Ohio Secretary of State’s Debarred Contractor List, joining two other violators. This means the company cannot work on any prevailing wage projects in Ohio for one year.
Courtad is also required to reimburse its employees $5,000, pay over $9,000 to the Ohio Department of Commerce as a penalty, and contribute over $38,000 to SMW Local 33 for attorney fees incurred while pursuing the case.
ACT Ohio would like to congratulate Sheet Meal Workers 33 for all of their hard work in exposing this violation, and in helping to preserve high industry standards.
