By: Robert J. Orelup
Effective July 1, 2011, the Indiana Common Construction Wage Act (CCW Act), which covers most state and local public construction projects that meet the dollar-value threshold, was amended. The amendments primarily relate to the “process” by which prevailing wages are determined and applied on applicable state and local government projects.
Some of the specific changes to the CCW Act deal with the formation of the wage committee, coverage of the CCW Act and expiration of the wage scale. And notably, due to an error in one of the bill amendments, Indiana public owners and construction industry companies should be aware that from July 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011, the common construction wage requirements will apply to most state and local public construction contracts awarded, regardless of the dollar-value of such project.
The Indiana Department of Labor has recently issued a notice that contains important information about the amended changes to the CCW Act and provides some additional guidance to entities and companies involved in applicable construction projects. Indiana public works’ owners, contractors and others involved in the construction industry need to take the time now to educate themselves as to these changes to the CCW Act and analyze how it does and could affect their involvement on covered public projects.