Cleveland-Based Labor Union Attorney

Fighting for the rights of hard-working men and women

I have a firm belief in the value of labor unions to our society, and have been committed to representing the interests of our vital working class throughout Ohio and beyond for many years.

As a member of the Ohio State Senate, I worked to strengthen the right to collective bargaining and protection to Ohio workers provided by Ohio's prevailing wage law. As Attorney General I made fighting wage theft and prevailing wage enforcement a priority. Now, as a lawyer in private practice, I have pioneered a systematic approach to enforce fair contracting on behalf of Ohio Construction Trade Unions by investigation of cheating contractors and using State and Federal prevailing wage law to force unscrupulous construction contractors to follow the law, creating a level playing field for law abiding contractors who pay their employees a fair negotiated wage.

I have begun to assist labor organizations throughout the country develop strategies to create a level playing field for union contractors by making sure federal and state enforcers and courts hold cheating contractors accountable.

Prevailing wage requirements

My practice includes enforcement of Davis-Bacon labor laws. In 1931, the Davis–Bacon Act established the requirement for paying prevailing wages on public works projects. All federal government construction contracts— and most contracts for federally-assisted construction over $2,000—must include provisions for paying on-site laborers no less than the locally prevailing wages and benefits paid on similar projects.

The Davis–Bacon Act was amended in 1935 to:

• Ensure that contractors bidding on public works projects would not lower wages in order to achieve a lower bid
• Permit government agencies—which were required to accept the lowest bids—to employ contractors who paid a fair wage

I represent labor unions in disputes with non-union contractors who decrease the hourly wage offered to laborers working on a dam, hospital or other public project, below the prevailing wage for government work in the area. This low bidding at the expense of the workers is against the law, and I have extensive experience helping labor unions enforce the federal Davis-Bacon regulations.

Connection to anti-fraud enforcement

One of the tricks used by unscrupulous contractors to unfairly compete with unionized suppliers is to intentionally underbid by planning to pay their workers less than prevailing wages. This strategy may also constitute fraud against the government that can be prosecuted by a qui tam action.

I can help you stand up for what's right

Get the wages you deserve. Some of the cases I accept are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing until the Law Office of Marc E. Dann Co. LPA obtains a settlement or verdict in your favor. Contact me online or by phone at 877-810-9348 to discuss how I can help you set things right and advance your own interests in the process. I offer weekend and evening appointments and look forward to discussing your situation with you.