On a covered public works project, prevailing wage must be paid to:
Explanation
Labor Code §1772 treats every worker employed on a public work as employed on it, and §1774 binds the contractor and every subcontractor to pay not less than the prevailing rate. Union membership decides nothing, because the rate is set by craft and county. The minimum wage is a floor for all employment and has no bearing on who is owed the prevailing rate. Confining the duty to the prime's own payroll is the error §1774 exists to close, since most public works labour is subcontracted.
Law Reference: Labor Code §1772; §1774This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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