Mistick Construction v. Department of Labor & Industry, Prevailing Wage Appeals Board

**What Happened** Mistick Construction and other companies challenged the prevailing wage rates set by Pennsylvania's Department of Labor & Industry. Prevailing wage laws require contractors on public projects to pay workers wages that match the local standard rates for similar work. The construction companies disagreed with the wage rates the state had determined and took their case to the Prevailing Wage Appeals Board. **What the Court Decided** The court sided with the Department of Labor & Industry. The court ruled that construction companies can't simply criticize the state's wage determinations—they must provide actual evidence of what they believe the correct wage rates should be. Since Mistick Construction and the other companies failed to present alternative wage data or proof of different rates, their challenge was rejected. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling strengthens protections for construction workers on public projects by making it harder for employers to reduce prevailing wages. Companies must now meet a higher standard when challenging wage rates, requiring them to present concrete evidence rather than just complaints. This helps ensure workers receive fair compensation that reflects local wage standards on government-funded construction projects.