Local legislation is being introduced in Springfield, Massachusetts to curb construction industry wage theft.
According to the Mass Coalition to Stop Wage Theft, $700 million is stolen annually from workers in Massachusetts by several means including misclassification of workers, non-payment of overtime, and withholding of final checks. It is especially prevalent in the construction industry.
An ordinance proposed in Springfield would ensure contractors hired for taxpayer-funded projects have clean records when it comes to wage theft and they would have to submit proof to the city of continued compliance with state law on pay and benefits.
WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with one of the co-sponsors of the proposed ordinance, At-large City Councilor Jesse Lederman.
