The deadline for objecting to the state Division of Labor Standards' prevailing wage rates is less than a month away.
Missouri's prevailing wage law establishes the minimum wage rate for workers on public works construction projects -- including roads, bridges and government buildings -- valued at $75,000 or more. Prevailing wages differ from one type of work and from county to county.
Rates are determined by actual hours worked for a specific trade or title in each county. They must be incorporated into contracts for public works jobs, though employers are free to offer a higher rate of pay.
For the current prevailing wage rates by county and a look at the wage order filed with the Secretary of State's Office for review, visit laborwebapps.mo.gov/dls/prevailingwage.
In order to object, anyone affected by the changes can file a written objection with the Secretary of State's Office. Public hearings on objections are to be conducted within 60 days of their reception, and the Labor Commission must file its final recommendation within 20 days after that. Those interested can contact the commission at 573-751-2461 or email [email protected] for more information about appeals.
The division releases a final Annual Wage Order each year by July 1. The order lists the prevailing wage rates for the following year for each occupational category in every county. Those rates are determined using wage surveys from contractors, who voluntarily provide information about their projects to calculate rates.
If the 1,000-hour threshold for each title is not submitted, the rates are determined based on calculations from the state Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).