New Jersey Stops Masonry Firm Work
Construction firms must ensure strict wage compliance to prevent costly state-mandated work stoppages on public projects.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Construction
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The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has issued a stop-work order to 3 J's Masonry Corp. for wage and payroll violations. The action forces the subcontractor to immediately cease concrete and rebar work at the South Bound Brook Public Safety Building project.
Why it matters
State investigators identified that the firm failed to pay prevailing and minimum wages to six workers and neglected to submit required payroll documentation. For construction operators, this highlights the critical necessity of maintaining rigorous payroll compliance, as public projects remain under strict regulatory scrutiny.
The state has issued 234 stop-work orders since July 2019, including this recent action involving wage violations for six employees. Operators failing to comply with such orders face civil penalties of $5,000 per day until the outstanding wage and documentation issues are settled.
The players
3 J's Masonry Corp.
A Waldwick-based masonry subcontractor now facing a state-mandated work stoppage for labor violations.
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
The state regulatory agency responsible for enforcing labor laws and issuing stop-work orders.
G. Meyer Group Inc.
The primary contractor based in Brielle overseeing the South Bound Brook Public Safety Building project.
Suliman Construction LLC
A Clifton-based firm that hired 3 J's Masonry Corp. as a subcontractor for the project.
The details
3 J's Masonry Corp. served as a subcontractor for Suliman Construction LLC on the South Bound Brook Public Safety Building project. Following an investigation, state labor officials halted the firm's concrete decking and rebar installation due to its failure to submit certified payroll records or meet state wage standards. The primary contractor, G. Meyer Group Inc., now faces a project delay while the state's stop-work order remains in effect.
Timeline
July 2019: State expands enforcement powers for stop-work orders.
October 16, 2026: 3 J's Masonry Corp. receives the stop-work order.
Within seven days: Deadline for the state to schedule a hearing if the company files an appeal.
Market Landscape
This enforcement action follows the 2019 expansion of state stop-work authorities designed to curb labor violations on public projects. It reflects an ongoing trend of strict regulatory oversight regarding certified payroll and prevailing wage adherence in the construction sector.
Construction operators on public projects should verify that all subcontractors are submitting certified payroll records, as primary contractors may be liable for project delays stemming from third-party wage violations. Ensure all payroll compliance is documented, as the state carries the authority to issue daily $5,000 penalties for non-compliance.
The takeaway
Maintaining meticulous payroll records and verifying subcontractor labor compliance is essential for avoiding project-wide shutdowns. Operators should routinely audit their subcontractor documentation to ensure all workers are receiving the state-mandated prevailing wage.
Further reading
For broader trends in state oversight, visit New Jersey Construction.
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