DC AG sues Power Design for cheating workers

DC Attorney General Karl Racine on Monday announced a lawsuit against Power Design, Inc., a national electrical contractor, for failing to classify hundreds of its workers as employees and cheating them out of wages and benefits. “Power Design cheated hundreds of District workers out of their hard-earned wages and stripped them of their legal rights,” said Racine, who will discuss the suit on this week’s edition of “Your Rights At Work” (2p Thursday on WPFW 89.3FM). “Today’s lawsuit is about protecting employees and businesses that play by the rules and punishing businesses that do not," Racine added. "District employers that illegally misclassify workers are now on notice that their theft will not be tolerated.” DC Jobs With Justice called the move "a huge win for IBEW 26, CHOICE and DC JWJ," and applauded Racine for “heeding the calls of community groups to investigate Power Design, which has a history of noncompliance with labor laws in the region and around the country.” Several rallies organized by JWJ and allies have highlighted concerns about Power Design’s labor practices. “This lawsuit serves the 535 workers who have been cheated of wages by Power Design and sends a clear message that wage theft will not be tolerated in the District,” said Elizabeth Falcon, DC JWJ Executive Director.

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