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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a consent decree
with construction subcontractors building a new production line
for Rivian Automotive Inc. in Normal, Illinois. The settlement
requires two subcontractors to pay over $300,000 in back wages
and penalties to resolve allegations that they failed to pay
Mexican laborers overtime wages.
The consent decree Raoul filed requires China-based Guangzhou
MINO Equipment Co. and Florida-based BIW Automotive Solution
Inc. to pay owed overtime wages and civil penalties totaling
$315,000 to 59 workers who were denied overtime wages they
earned.
“These settlements should send a message that employers cannot
hide behind subcontractors to avoid responsibility for stolen
wages, and I appreciate the Illinois Department of Labor’s
collaboration,” Raoul said. “I am committed to holding
businesses, large or small, accountable for violating laws that
safeguard workers and support law-abiding businesses in
Illinois.”
The investigation began following a tip from the IBEW Local 197
related to alleged workplace violations by Rivian
subcontractors.
In February 2020, Raoul joined a coalition of 18 attorneys
general in filing a lawsuit challenging a U.S. Department of
Labor rule that would have eliminated protections for workers
under the Fair Labor Standards Act. According to Raoul, the
rule, which was eventually invalidated, would have undermined
protections against unlawful conduct uncovered during the
investigation into Rivian’s subcontractors.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois
for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience in radio
news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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