New prevailing wage list published

Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999 | 10:05 a.m.

The list, more than 20 pages long, covers different construction, repair and other jobs and sets out the "prevailing wage" that contractors doing business with the state must pay their workers.

Labor Commissioner Terry Johnson says the rates apply to the state and to local governments wherever public dollars are being used on projects of $100,000 or more, from new buildings to roadways and bridges, repair and remodeling projects.

He said it's similar to the Davis-Bacon Act under which the federal government requires contractors to pay workers a certain amount for work on federal projects.

Johnson said it's hard to determine any overall increase from one year to the next because the rate for each profession is set individually. He said that is done by his office after discussions with Nevada contractors to determine what they pay for different jobs, with unions and others to factor in worker contracts and other interested parties and local officials.

The rates even take into account differences between counties, varying slightly from one place to another in Nevada for different professions.

"When a project goes out to bid, everyone from the awarding bodies to the contractors need that information," said Johnson. "It has a tremendous impact on the livelihoods of individuals."

The new rates run for a year. They're available by calling the Labor Commissioner's office in Carson City or can be downloaded from the Internet at www.state.nv.us/labor/