ABOVE: A June 2022 photo shows an entrance to Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore, before renovations began in October 2024. Photo by Eli Pousson via Baltimore Heritage Flickr. Public domain.
(ANNAPOLIS) — The Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades addressed the Maryland Board of Public Works today, raising concerns about three subcontractors on a state-funded school project that have been accused of illegal worker misclassification and wage theft.
A lawsuit filed in January 2026 alleges that Tobar Construction, D.C. Construction and CAM Construction failed to pay state-mandated prevailing wages and overtime pay to three carpenters working on the renovation of Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore. Funding for the $66 million dollar project was approved by the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA).
Several recent studies have ranked Maryland among the worst in the nation when it comes to wage theft.
In the lawsuit, plaintiffs allege that the subcontractors “sought to increase their profits” by paying them at the “common laborer” rate for carpentry work they performed – a difference of more than $20 an hour in wages plus hourly fringe benefits.
VIDEO: Baltimore-DC Building Trades Council Maryland Director Ray Baker speaks before the Maryland Board of Public Works on February 18, 2026.
“Allegations of worker misclassification and wage theft must be taken seriously. Not only is this an injury to the workers making the claim, it also deprives the state of much-needed tax revenues.”
– Ray Baker, MD Director of the Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades
“Allegations of worker misclassification and wage theft must be taken seriously. Not only is this an injury to the workers making the claim, it also deprives the state of much-needed tax revenues.”
– Ray Baker, MD Director of the Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades
“Allegations of worker misclassification and wage theft must be taken seriously,” said Ray Baker, Maryland Director for the Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades, when he spoke before the board today. “Not only is this an injury to the workers making the claim, it also deprives the state of much-needed tax revenues.”
The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division, on January 9, 2026.
“This scheme – which involved paying Plaintiffs far less than the required straight time and overtime wages – enriched Subcontractor Defendants at Plaintiffs’ expense,” states the lawsuit. “It also undermined the purposes of Maryland’s prevailing wage law and enabled Subcontractor Defendants to gain significant market share by undercutting law-abiding businesses.”
“This scheme – which involved paying plaintiffs far less than the required straight time and overtime wages – enriched subcontractor defendants at plaintiffs’ expense.”
– From lawsuit complaint filed Jan. 9, 2026
“This scheme – which involved paying plaintiffs far less than the required straight time and overtime wages – enriched subcontractor defendants at plaintiffs’ expense.”
– From lawsuit complaint filed Jan. 9, 2026
When addressing the three-person body – made up of Governor Wes Moore, State Comptroller Brooke Lierman and State Treasurer Dereck Davis – Baker urged them to direct the Maryland Stadium Authority to use project labor agreements to protect workers and avoid misuse of taxpayer monies.
The Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades is calling on MSA to adopt guidance from Governor Moore’s executive order on the use of project labor agreements and apply these standards to MSA projects valued over $35 million.
“This would be a strong step toward making sure hardworking Marylanders get the well-earned pay they deserve,” added Baker. “The state collects all applicable tax revenues, and taxpayer funds should not be going to subcontractors who deprive hardworking people of their well-earned pay.”
Representatives from the Baltimore-DC Building Trades were out in force at the February 18, 2026, meeting of the Maryland Board of Public Works. Photo: Michael Blain.