Workers Sue Subcontractor at Lego's Chesterfield Plant Over Unpaid Overtime

TL;DR: Workers at Lego's under-construction Chesterfield manufacturing plant have sued subcontractors United Contractor Services and ILC Builders Construction, alleging they were denied overtime pay over the past three years.

The story

Workers building Lego's 1.7 million-square-foot manufacturing plant in Chesterfield have filed a lawsuit against subcontractors United Contractor Services, LLC, and ILC Builders Construction, LLC, claiming they were systematically underpaid for overtime work. According to the lawsuit, workers were paid their regular hourly rate for all hours worked, rather than the required time-and-a-half for hours exceeding 40 per week. The complaint also alleges that United and ILC "intentionally withheld" overtime wages over the past three years.

The facility is located in Meadowville Technology Park and is currently under construction as part of a $1.5 billion project that broke ground in 2023. The plant is expected to open in 2027 and will eventually employ more than 1,760 workers. Lego hired Gray Inc. and Richmond-based Hourigan Construction Corp as joint venture partners for the project. Those firms subsequently brought United Contractor Services on board, with ILC Builders providing the actual workforce.

A representative of Gray and Hourigan stated the companies are "committed to fair and responsible employment practices" and pledged to cooperate with investigations into the claims. Lego declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Key players

• United Contractor Services, LLC: Subcontractor named as defendant in lawsuit
• ILC Builders Construction, LLC: Subcontractor named as defendant in lawsuit
• Gray Inc.: Primary construction company hired by Lego
• Hourigan Construction Corp: Co-primary construction company (joint venture with Gray Inc.)
• The Lego Group: Owner of manufacturing facility project

Key dates

• 2023: Lego Chesterfield plant broke ground
• 2027: Facility scheduled to open and begin production

Why it matters: The lawsuit highlights ongoing labor disputes in Virginia's construction sector and raises questions about worker protections on major infrastructure projects. For Chesterfield residents, it underscores labor practice concerns at a high-profile $1.5 billion manufacturing facility that will eventually be a major employer in the county.

Places

• Meadowville Technology Park
• Chesterfield County

Related links

• Lego Manufacturing Virginia Project (Chesterfield.gov)
• Lego Manufacturing Facility Updates - Meadowville Technology Park

Read the original at The Richmonder →

Sources

• Subcontractor on Lego's Chesterfield plant sued by workers who said they didn't receive overtime pay
• Lego Manufacturing Facility - Chesterfield.gov
• Lego tops off $1B manufacturing facility under construction in Chesterfield
• The LEGO Group Project - Meadowville Technology Park