HTH Companies v. Mo. Dept. of Labor & Industrial Relations

# HTH Companies v. Missouri Department of Labor & Industrial Relations **What Happened** HTH Companies challenged a government wage determination for asbestos workers in Boone and Cole Counties. The company argued that the prevailing wage rate of $37.15 per hour should be lower because apprentice work hours should have been included in the wage calculation. **What the Court Decided** Missouri's appellate court sided with the Department of Labor. The court upheld the $37.15 hourly wage rate and rejected the company's argument about including apprentice hours in the calculation. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling protects prevailing wage standards—the minimum wages required on certain projects. By rejecting the employer's attempt to lower the wage calculation, the court ensured that asbestos workers in these counties maintained their established pay rate. This case demonstrates that courts will defend prevailing wage protections against employer efforts to reduce them. For workers in similar industries, it affirms that wage calculations must properly account for skilled labor standards, not be artificially lowered through apprentice hour averaging.