NEWS RELEASE: Construction firm will pay civil penalties for meal and rest period violations in BOLI settlement

[Burr, Charlie]

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For Immediate Release
July 26, 2014
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788

Construction firm will pay civil penalties for meal and rest period violations in BOLI settlement
BOLI assesses LPR Construction $28,000 during data center construction in The Dalles

PORTLAND-A Colorado construction firm will pay at least $20,000 in civil penalties for meal and rest period violations in a settlement with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), the agency announced today.

Under terms of the settlement with LPR Construction Co. of Loveland, Colorado, BOLI will agree to suspend an additional $8,000 in civil penalties pending the firm's compliance with Oregon wage and hour laws.

The meal and rest period complaint stemmed from construction work performed from December 2013 to April 2014 on Google's massive data center project in The Dalles. The construction firm came into compliance during the BOLI investigation and fully cooperated with agency investigators.

Although six-figure wage claims are not uncommon, the LPR Construction settlement represents one of the agency's more significant meal and rest period settlements in recent years. BOLI's Wage and Hour Division typically receives about 1,300 non-wage complaints per year, compared to 2,300 claims of unpaid wages.

"Our investigators are working to ensure that all employees are treated fairly on the job so that they receive the wages and rest periods to which they're entitled," said Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. "This settlement sends a strong signal to employers that they must comply with Oregon law, including providing meal and rest periods to their workforce."

BOLI investigators determined that 28 employees were not receiving rest periods during the agency's investigation and field interviews. As part of the settlement, LPR Construction will submit monitoring reports for three years for all work performed in the state.

Employers seeking guidance on Oregon's meal and rest periods or other wage and hour protections can contact the agency's Technical Assistance for Employers Program at (971) 673-0824.


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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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