Since 2017, DC JWJ has raised the alarm about Power Design, Inc. This electrical company has worked across DC on 200 job sites, but refused to follow DC's laws and continue to steal wages from workers. Last week, the Attorney General announced a landmark settlement of $3.75 million and more than 1,200 workers across 200 jobsites in DC.

This marks a critical moment in the fight against wage theft in Washington, DC. Read the settlement and the Washington Post story. 

"We commend AG Racine for making the longterm commitment to fight wage theft in the District, and for keeping their eye on Power Design, Inc. We cannot allow a company to work on hundreds of sites and steal from DC workers. Our workplace laws are the best in the nation. We fought hard to make them that way and we will not allow them to be ignored. We are proud of our role in highlighting the disturbing practices of Power Design in DC since 2017. Most importantly, we are glad to see that 1,200 workers will receive the restitution they deserve."  Elizabeth Falcon - Executive Director, DC Jobs With Justice

From the Attorney General's announcement:

🚨 NEW: Power Design will pay $3.75 million and overhaul its labor practices after allowing subcontractors to engage in a sweeping illegal worker misclassification scheme impacting more than 1,200 construction workers.

📣 This is the largest workers’ rights enforcement action in DC history.

🏗️ Power Design is a national construction firm with over 200 projects in the DC area. Local projects include apartment complexes at Union Market, Navy Yard, Shaw, the Wharf, and The Parks at Walter Reed.

🏙️ Under Power Design’s watch, subcontractors cheated workers who labored on high-end developments across DC.

👷🏽‍♂️ Worker misclassification denies workers paid sick leave and other workplace protections — and it undercuts law-abiding businesses.

💰 It also allows corporations to avoid paying taxes that fund critical safety net programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and unemployment insurance.

🔎 In addition to paying $3.75 million in restitution to harmed workers and penalties to DC, Power Design and Moriarty (a general contractor that worked with Power Designh will be required to overhaul their labor practices. Strong injunctive terms are critical to preventing future worker misclassification.

🔊 This landmark settlement sends a strong message that shortchanging workers will not be tolerated in DC. And it helps ensure that all businesses in the District can compete on a level playing field.

Image: DC JWJ and allies protest Power Design, Inc at the Line Hotel in 2017.