CA AB2696

Joint labor-management cooperation committees established under the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 may bring civil actions against direct contractors to enforce liability for unpaid wages, fringe benefits, penalties, liquidated damages, and interest owed by the direct contractor on private work projects.

Direct contractors remain liable for subcontractor wage and benefit debts under existing law, with expanded enforcement authority now allowing committees to pursue direct contractor liability in addition to subcontractor liability.

Committees must provide direct contractors and subcontractors at least 30 days' notice by first-class mail before commencing legal action, with notice requiring only general claim description, project name, and employer name.

Prevailing plaintiffs in actions brought by joint labor-management committees are entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs, including expert witness fees.

These amendments apply to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2022, and do not apply to work performed by state or local government employees.