What is the Davis Bacon Act and Davis Bacon Wage Rates?

The Davis Bacon Act is a federal law that requires contractors and subcontractors to pay their workers wages at least equal to the prevailing wage rate for laborers and mechanics in the same locality. These wage rates are also known as Davis Bacon Wage Rates. The law was passed in 1931 to prevent companies from lowering wages and replacing more experienced workers with cheaper alternatives while they worked on contracts funded by the United States. The Davis Bacon Wage Rates are established by the United States Department of Labor and vary in different states and areas. In Washington, the Davis Bacon Wage Rates are set by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. The rates are specific to different kinds of labor and trades in the state and are updated regularly. To comply with the Davis Bacon Act, contractors and subcontractors need to show proof that they are paying their employees at least the amount of the prevailing wage stated in the wage rate. The Davis Bacon Act applies to most construction-related contracts in the state of Washington that are funded by the federal government or by the state. This includes public works projects such as road construction and public buildings. The act does not generally apply to contracts related to private projects. All employers must pay their employees the correct Davis Bacon Wage Rates and must provide workers with a wage statement that explains their wages and deductions.

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