Gregory Grim v. Eastern Electric, LLC ( 2014 )

No. 13-1133 - Gregory Grim, et al. v. Eastern Electric, LLC
FILED
November 25, 2014
RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
OF WEST VIRGINIA
Benjamin, Justice, concurring:
I completely agree with the majority decision. I write separately to
emphasize the fact noted in the majority opinion that the petitioners performed identical
work for Eastern Electric on other public works construction projects during the same
period at issue in this case and were paid prevailing wages. When the petitioners
questioned members of Eastern Electric about this discrepancy, they were informed that
prevailing wages were not paid in the instant case because it was termed a “maintenance
contract” by the executive branch. Significantly, the payment of prevailing wages cannot
be based solely on the executive branch’s characterization of the work to be done
pursuant to a contract.1 Further, also as stated by the majority, a contractor cannot be
permitted to blindly accept the representation of a government agent regarding the non-
applicability of the Prevailing Wage Act to a specific project. In those instances where
the Prevailing Act is applicable, both the government agent and the contractor must act in
good faith so that the purpose of the Prevailing Act will be achieved.
1
See generally State v. Sigler, 224 W. Va. 608, 687 S.E.2d 391 (2009), wherein
this Court looked beyond the characterization which law enforcement chose to use to
describe a particular traffic stop and instead held that the actual effect of the stop
determined its character and thus, the law applicable to such a stop. In Sigler, law
enforcement could not avoid the constitutional requirements which attach to a sobriety
checkpoint simply by instead calling it a “safety checkpoint.” To allow the executive
branch to avoid the effect of constitutional and statutory law be resorting to self-serving
characterizations would contravene West Virginia laws and the rights which attach
thereto.