NEWS RELEASE: K&O Contracting will pay workers $65,000 and face three year debarment in BOLI settlement

[Burr, Charlie]

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For Immediate Release
April 18, 2014
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 wk., (503) 913-5407 mobile

K&O Contracting will pay workers $65,000 and face three year debarment in BOLI settlement
Avakian: Settlement helps workers, adds to state's list of ineligible companies

PORTLAND-An Aloha company will pay 17 employees $65,000 in a settlement with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), the agency announced today.

In addition, the company and its principals will be ineligible for public works contracts for three years under the agreement.

The settlement places corporate entities K&O Contracting, LLC, KO Construction, LLC - and principals Marco Rojas and Mauricio Rojas-Osornio - on the list of nearly 100 firms<http://www.oregon.gov/boli/WHD/PWR/docs/debar_list.pdf> that may not work as contractors or subcontractors on public projects during their debarment.

The settlement comes after a wage and hour investigation of two Marion County projects: South Salem High School and Pioneer Village.

"This settlement directs $65,000 into the pockets of Oregon workers and adds to the state's growing list of companies ineligible for taxpayer funded projects," said Labor Commissioner Avakian.  "Public projects should not subsidize firms that try to gain unfair advantage by skirting the rules."

The agreement also directs $5,000 in civil penalties to the agency.

An earlier complaint with BOLI's Wage and Hour Division in March 2012 alleged misclassification of workers as carpenters rather than sheet metal workers under Oregon's prevailing wage laws. As part of the wage and hour complaint, BOLI and USDOL investigators interviewed workers about potential violations. During the investigation, BOLI discovered allegations of whistleblower retaliation such as reduced hours, removal from projects and failure to rehire returning workers.

Copies of the settlement available upon request.


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The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public places free from discrimination.


Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045
Portland, OR 97232-2180
(971) 673-0788 wk.
(503) 913-5407 cell.

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