Memphis Tent Company Pays Back Wages To Louisiana Workers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Labor Department officials say a Memphis-based tent and awning company has paid more than $133,000 in back wages and benefits for 28 Louisiana workers.

The department said Monday that an investigation by its Wage and Hour Division showed that Mahaffey Tent and Awning Co. Inc., doing business as Mahaffey Fabric Structures, failed to pay Fort Polk, La., employees the proper prevailing wages and fringe benefits required for the categories of work that was performed.

Investigators also determined that some employees were wrongly classified as laborers rather than general maintenance workers or forklift operators. Both require payment at higher rates.

The company has paid all back wages and agreed to comply fully with the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act in the future.