LBJ Hospital workers demand £480,000 in unpaid wages amid expansion project
Workers on the LBJ Hospital expansion project have accused contractors of withholding nearly £480,000 in wages and benefits. Over 170 employees, primarily sheet metal workers, claim they were misclassified, underpaid, or faced retaliation for speaking out. The project is a key part of a £2.5 billion bond programme to modernise Harris Health and build a new Level I trauma centre.
The allegations centre on McCorvey Sheet Metal Works LP, the main subcontractor on the site. At least 130 sheet metal workers report being misclassified or paid less than required by law. Some also describe intimidation after raising concerns about their pay.
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., the project’s general contractor, has not yet ruled on restitution for the affected workers. Meanwhile, labour leaders are pushing for immediate repayment, arguing that delays only prolong financial hardship. The LBJ expansion, set to finish in early 2029, is the flagship of Harris Health’s modernisation plan. Harris Health, which oversees the funds, has now hired a third-party auditor to review wage claims and ensure proper use of public money. Their role includes checking compliance with prevailing wage laws and labour standards. Under the bond initiative, the hospital will become the first Level I trauma centre outside the Texas Medical Center. But with 170 workers still awaiting back pay, unions insist accountability must come before completion.
Harris Health has taken steps to address the wage disputes by bringing in an independent auditor. The review will determine whether contractors followed labour laws and whether workers receive the pay they are owed. Until then, the project remains under scrutiny as construction continues toward its 2029 deadline.
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