TN Dept. of Labor Announces 2016 Highway Prevailing Wage Rates

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development announced today the 2016 Highway Prevailing Wage Rates. There was an increase in wage rates for 14 classifications, a decrease in nine classifications, and the wage rates for two classifications remained unchanged since 2015. The wage rate for one classification – Mechanic (Class II) Light Duty – increased more than a dollar and the wage rate for one classification – Bricklayer – decreased more than a dollar.

“The Department of Labor and Workforce Development conducted an annual survey to determine wage rates for various job classifications for state-funded highway construction projects,” Commissioner Burns Phillips said.  “Surveys were sent to 1,057 companies and data was solicited from Tennessee contractors involved in highway construction.  The department received 727 responses. The results are calculated and then published each year on December 1st.”

The Prevailing Wage Act protects wage earners from unfair practices regarding pay on state-funded highway construction projects. Contractors are surveyed annually and commission members have the duty of determining and setting the minimum prevailing wage rates for state-funded highway, road, street, and bridge construction projects.  Contractors are not permitted to pay less than the prevailing wage rates on state-funded projects.

For more information on Prevailing Wage please contact the Labor Standards Unit at 844-224-5818 or visit http://www.tn.gov/workforce/article/prevailing-wage#sthash.zd7gsdLa.dpuf.

- # # # -