NEWS RELEASE: BOLI finds substantial evidence in wage theft retaliation complaint

[Burr, Charlie]

[cid:image001.gif at 01D223D6.7DC54720]

For Immediate Release
October 12, 2016
CONTACT:           Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788

BOLI finds substantial evidence in wage theft retaliation complaint
Commissioner's complaint alleged whistleblower abuse, threats of physical violence

PORTLAND, OR-A Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) investigation of a construction contractor has found substantial evidence of whistleblower retaliation, the agency announced today.
In February, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian filed a Commissioner's Complaint alleging that contractor Evans Williams and Tri-Star Flagging, LLC retaliated against employees cooperating with the agency's Wage and Hour Division during a separate investigation. Copies of the Tri-Star Flagging, LLC civil rights complaint are available here<http://www.oregon.gov/boli/SiteAssets/pages/press/AD%20Traffic%20Commissioner%27s%20Complaint.pdf>.
"No worker should have to face termination or threats of physical violence for asserting their right to wages they've earned," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "We will protect whistleblowers and hold businesses accountable if they seek to intimidate workers stepping forward."

The case will now move to the agency's Administrative Prosecution Unit, which will draft formal charges and set a date for hearing.

Last year, the agency placed Evan Williams, his wife and multiple associated entities on the list of companies ineligible to work on public projects<https://www.oregon.gov/boli/WHD/PWR/docs/Debar_List.pdf> in the state, including Tri-Star Flagging, LLC, Portland Flagging, LLC dba AD Traffic Control Services, GNC Construction Services, Phoenix Construction Group, Inc., Portland Safety Equipment, LLC, and SBG Construction Services, LLC.


In 2013, BOLI secured $104,000 in fringe benefit wages for 37 Tri-Star employees who worked as flaggers on the Sellwood Bridge project in Multnomah County.
Oregon law empowers the labor commissioner to file a complaint on behalf of the people of Oregon when the commissioner has reason to believe an unlawful practice - such as retaliation against whistleblowing - has occurred. The civil rights complaint is the eighth filed by Commissioner Avakian.
A Commissioner's Complaint in 2014 against Daimler Trucks North America resulted in a record $2.4 million civil rights settlement.
Workers can file a civil rights complaint if they believe that they are being retaliated against by contacting the Civil Rights Division at crdemail at boli.state.or.us<mailto:crdemail at boli.state.or.us> or by calling (971) 673-0764.
Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI<http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI> for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination.

###


Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045
Portland, Oregon  97232
Tel:  971-673-0788

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/boli_media/attachments/20161012/36334bd1/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 5043 bytes
Desc: image001.gif
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/boli_media/attachments/20161012/36334bd1/attachment.gif>