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Contractors Charged with Prevailing Wage Violations KANSAS CITY, MO, (kansascityfrontpage.com), May 3, 2010 - An investigation conducted by the Missouri Labor Department's Division of Labor Standards (DLS) has led to charges being filed against a Michigan contractor for failing to pay workers the appropriate prevailing wage rates on projects in Scott County. "The prevailing wage law is designed in part to prevent out-of-state contractors from underbidding local contractors by paying substandard wages and failing to pay their taxes." said Larry Rebman, Missouri Labor Department Director. "Our Department works to ensure that Missourians' tax dollars building our public infrastructure don't go to unscrupulous contractors that undercut local companies, local workers and the local economy." Municipal Construction Inc. (MCI), was the general contractor hired to perform work for the Scott County Public Water System Supply District No. 4 in Scott County, Mo. Missouri law requires that all workers on construction projects for a public body be paid the prevailing wage rates. The DLS determines prevailing wage rates for 26 occupational titles based on the wages actually paid within each county and the city of St. Louis. The DLS received four complaints against MCI for failing to pay the appropriate prevailing wage rates owed to workers for the type of work they performed. On April 20, 2010, Scott County Prosecutor Paul R. Boyd filed 11 criminal counts against MCI's president, Norman Bass of Goodrich, Michigan. Bass faces five counts of felony forgery, and six counts of violating the Missouri Prevailing Wage laws. Project Superintendent Thomas LaCosse of South Lake, Texas faces six counts of violating the Missouri Prevailing Wage Laws. The DLS investigators discovered the contractors violated the law on numerous occasions by failing to pay workers back wages for performing overtime work, and not paying the correct wages for the their occupational title. The Department's audits revealed at least 17 affected workers who were underpaid a total of $65,788.05. Job Seekers Continue to Be Resilient, Explore a Variety of Options DENVER, CO, (PRNewswire-USNewswire), May 3, 2010 - As the economy gradually improves, laid-off workers' job searches are beginning to improve in 2010 as well. According to an updated survey by CareerBuilder, 51 percent of workers who were laid off in the last three months have found new full-time or part-time positions. This is up from 44 percent of workers who said the same in a November 2009 survey. The CareerBuilder survey was conducted nationwide among more than 900 workers who were laid off within the last 12 months. "As consumers and businesses grow more confident in the economic outlook in the U.S., hiring managers are beginning to add new staff at an improved, but cautious pace," said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America. "More than half of workers who were laid off in the first quarter have already found employment, primarily in full-time positions. Not only is this a positive indicator for the labor market, it also shows that job seekers are being resourceful in their job hunts and are open to different types of opportunities." Changes in Pay Looking at workers who were laid off in the last three months and found new jobs, nearly 40 percent reported they were able to negotiate comparable or higher pay for their new position. Sixty-one percent of workers took a pay cut.    Continued Re-Hired by Former Employers Businesses are beginning to bring back their workforce. Fifty-seven percent of workers laid off in the last six months have been re-hired by their former employer who laid them off from their jobs. Seven-in-ten (71 percent) of workers who were laid off in the last six months and have not found jobs would be willing to work for their former employer. Of these workers, 22 percent indicated that they would only return to their previous workplace if their employer offered them more money. Transferring Skills to Other Industries and Fields Workers reported they are repackaging their skills and experience for different industries. Sixty-four percent of workers who were laid off in the last six months and landed new jobs said they found work in a different field than where they were previously employed. More than half of them (55 percent) reported they really enjoy their new positions. Plans to Change Employers When the Economy Improves The majority of laid-off workers (63 percent) who found new jobs in the last six months plan to stay with their current employers when the economy turns around. Thirty-seven percent plan to change employers once market conditions improve. Relocation Workers are also expanding their job searches beyond their current borders. More than four-in-ten (46 percent) workers who were laid off in the last six months and found jobs relocated; the vast majority (93 percent) moved to another city versus another state. Of those laid off in the last six months and still looking for employment, 42 percent reported they would consider relocating for a job opportunity. Starting a Business Some job seekers indicated they are embracing entrepreneurship in their efforts to find employment. Thirty-two percent of workers who were laid off in the last six months and have not found jobs are considering starting their own businesses. 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