Fiber & Cable Technicians

The broadband buildout runs on technicians working 50 to 70 hour weeks, and much of the industry pays them as 1099 subcontractors or by the completed job, with no overtime at all. Federal law says most of these technicians are employees owed time and a half.

I currently represent nine fiber optic technicians in an active federal lawsuit where the Department of Labor confirmed the misclassification before the case was filed. The company refused to pay what the DOL calculated, so the workers are pursuing it in court. Details are on the current lawsuits page.

Who do I represent?

  • Fiber optic technicians, splicers, and testers
  • Cable installers and drop crews
  • Aerial and underground construction techs
  • Techs working through staffing layers and sub-subcontractors

How the violation works

The company assigns your route, sets your rates, requires its standards and its photos, and schedules your week. Then it calls you a contractor and pays by the job. Under the economic reality test that is employment, and every week over 40 hours is an overtime week. Yard time, drive time between jobs, and redo work all count as hours worked.

Layered contracting does not protect anyone. More than one company in the chain can be liable as a joint employer.

What it costs

Nothing upfront. Free consultation, contingency fee. If there is no recovery, you pay nothing, not even the costs.

Run the numbers on your situation

If you want a rough estimate before you call, the free overtime calculator covers hourly, salaried, day-rate, and commission scenarios. It takes about three to five minutes. The result is an estimate, not legal advice.

Use the Overtime Calculator

Need Help With Fiber & Cable Technicians?

Free, confidential consultation. If there is no recovery, you pay nothing.

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Or call (512) 799-2048