International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union No. 8 v. Stollsteimer Electric, Inc.

# Court Ruling Summary: IBEW Local Union No. 8 v. Stollsteimer Electric, Inc. **What Happened** The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers sued Stollsteimer Electric, Inc. for failing to pay workers the wages required by prevailing-wage laws. These laws ensure workers on certain projects receive set minimum wages. The trial court found the company violated these laws but initially refused to award attorney fees and costs to the union. **What the Court Decided** Ohio's appeals court reversed this decision. The court ruled that whenever a company violates prevailing-wage laws, it must pay the workers' attorney fees and court costs—regardless of whether the violation was intentional or accidental. The court sent the case back to determine the exact amount owed for attorneys and expenses. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling protects workers by making wage theft cases more affordable to pursue. When employers know they'll pay legal fees if they lose, they're more likely to follow prevailing-wage laws. This helps ensure workers receive their full, legally required wages without bearing the financial burden of expensive litigation themselves.