Building service employees are critical to the safe and clean operation of any building. Under Philadelphia law, employees such as janitors, front desk persons, security guards, maintenance workers and landscapers who work in the City at large institutions receiving City financial assistance, such as Hospitals, Universities, Large Commercial Buildings, Convention Centers and Airports, must be paid prevailing wages and health benefits which are much higher than the current $7.25 federal and state minimum wage.

 

Does it make a difference whether I am employed directly by a hospital or university or whether I was hired by its contractor/subcontractor?

No, under City Law, you must be paid at least the minimum/prevailing wages and benefits, regardless of whether you are employed directly by a hospital or university, or are employed by one of its contractors or subcontractors (e.g., a cleaning or security company).

 

Minimum wage for all occupations:

Each occupation of worker has its own prevailing wage.  However, any Building Service worker must be paid at least the following wages (plus health benefits):

(a)   Between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019, twelve dollars and forty cents ($12.40);

(b)   Between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, thirteen dollars and twenty-five cents ($13.25);

(c)   Between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, thirteen dollars and seventy-five cents ($13.75);

(d)   Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, fourteen dollars and twenty-five cents ($14.25).

 

Prevailing wages for specific occupations:

Beyond the minimum wages just mentioned, each specific occupation may have an even higher prevailing wage requirement.  For example, the following occupations must be paid at least the following hourly wages (plus health benefits):

• Janitors and Elevator Operators, $14.17 per hour

• Groundskeepers, $16.22 per hour

• Window Cleaners, $15.35 per hour

• Security Guard I, $14.50 per hour

• Security Guard II, $18.81 per hour

• Alarm Monitors, $22.66 per hour

• Maintenance Electricians, $33.75 per hour

• HVAC Mechanics, $26.31 per hour

       

Health benefits for all occupations:

In addition to their required minimum or prevailing hourly wage, each occupation of worker must also be provided health benefits with a value of at least $4.54 per hour ($181.60 per week or $786.93 per month).  Alternatively, the employer may be able to satisfy this requirement by providing this same amount of money in the form of additional hourly wages.

 

How can we help?

Goodley Law is collaborating with other lawyers to seek compensation for impacted workers. Our law firms are experienced in representing workers in unpaid wage lawsuits. Typically, we bring these cases as a class action, so you won't be fighting the company by yourself. You will have a team of lawyers representing you and your co-workers. And because we take these cases on a contingent fee basis, there's no cost to you. We don't get paid unless we get money for you and the class.

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What should I do next?

If, at any time during the past three years, you worked as a building service employee at a Philadelphia hospital or university and were not paid prevailing wages, fill out the form on our Contact page. One of our lawyers will contact you to schedule a free 30-minute consultation so that we can get your side of the story and evaluate your rights under the applicable state and federal wage and hour laws.