Prevail 1.2, Prevailing Wage Survey Reporting Software As you know, Wisconsin's Prevailing Wage Rate Laws require the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to conduct an annual survey of all employers in the construction industry to determine prevailing wage rates for public works projects. Contractor response to this survey is required by law. In 1997, Wisconsin LECET (Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust) developed a Windows program to allow contractors to report wages and hours electronically. Each year, Wisconsin LECET, Operating Engineers Local 139 and Teamsters Joint Council 39 have upgraded the program. That software, Prevail 1.2, is mailed to contractors. The software is easy to install (just go to the "read me" file in Prevail 1.2 or follow the installation instructions on the label on the disk). Prevail 1.2 allows you to enter jobs, location, wages, hours (all information required by the DWD Survey Form) easily and quickly. After all the information is entered, you can put it on disk, label it and send it to DWD. Prevail 1.2 walks you through the whole process. But, whether you use Prevail 1.2 or not, it is extremely important that all signatory contractors complete this survey and report all work performed during the survey period, JUNE 1, 1998 through MAY 31, 1999. Failure to report will produce prevailing wage rates that are lower than contract rates in many areas. Low prevailing wage rates will place ALL signatory contractors at a competitive disadvantage during the bid process. THE REPORTING DEADLINE IS JULY 31, 1999. When reporting wages and hours, you should follow DWD instructions very carefully. The Help Files in Prevail 1.2 contain all those instructions, as well as contract wage rates for laborers, operating engineers and teamsters, occupational classifications and work descriptions. You should pay particular attention to the following instructions: DO NOT use last year's form or instructions. DWD has issued new contractor control numbers and form numbers and has deleted some work classifications. (Prevail 1.2 references only current classifications in the Help Files). When reporting laborers, report ONLY the general laborer rate. DO NOT report premium rates such as foreman, top-man, bottom-man pipelayer, etc. These hours should be reported at the general laborers contract rate. DO NOT report any contract administration fee or Transportation Educational Fund (TEF) contribution. If you have not received a Prevailing Wage Rate Survey form by mid-June, you should call the Department of Workforce Development, Equal Rights Division IMMEDIATELY at (608) 267-9331. If you have questions about Prevail 1.2 or filling out the survey, you should call: Wisconsin Laborers District Council at (800)
782-4634 Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Mike Ryan, Laborers |
PLEASE! |
| Remember to respond to the Department of Workforce Development
Prevailing Wage Survey The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) will mail their annual Prevailing Wage Survey to all construction contractors in Wisconsin in early June. Now it is up to us to do our part. We must fill out the survey completely -- report all wages and hours for our employees -- and return the survey to the state by July 31, 1999. The survey covers all work done between June 1, 1998 through May 31, 1999. The data gathered in the survey will be used to set prevailing wage rates in all 72 Wisconsin counties in 2000. It is crucial for contractors signatory to collective bargaining agreements to respond fully. If you can use Prevail 1.2, the prevailing wage reporting software, it will save you time completing the survey. However, even if you can't report electronically, you should complete the prevailing wage survey as soon as you receive it and send it to DWD. Thank you for your cooperation. GARY TORNES Oscar J. Boldt Construction Steve Mathy Paul Gehl RICHARD SCHRAUFNAGEL SCOTT ZIMMERMAN BILL KENNEDY Low Prevailing Wage Rates Will Put All Signatory Contractors at a Competitive Disadvantage in the Bid Process! |