Workers currently building Lego’s Chesterfield facility are alleging they didn’t receive additional payment for overtime work, and are suing the two companies that hired them. 

The plaintiffs named in the lawsuit are United Contractor Services, LLC, and ILC Builders Construction, LLC. 

Lego — which has declined to comment on the lawsuit — had hired two construction companies for its $1.5 billion Chesterfield project: Gray Inc. and Richmond-based Hourigan Construction Corp. According to the lawsuit, this joint venture brought United on as a construction partner for the site to help build the facility’s walls and ceilings. ILC provided United the laborers to make this happen.

“Gray | Hourigan is committed to fair and responsible employment practices and to conducting business with integrity and accountability,” a Gray spokesperson wrote to The Richmonder. “We hire team members based on relevant qualifications while fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace. While we do not comment on ongoing investigations or legal matters, we are fully committed to cooperating with appropriate parties.”

United and ILC are the two entities that allegedly didn’t pay workers the additional money they were owed for overtime work — not the joint venture between Gray and Horrigan, nor Lego itself. The lawsuit alleges that United was the entity that provided them with safety gear and building materials, while ILC provided the workers’ paychecks.

Over the past three years, the lawsuit’s plaintiffs have been helping build the Lego manufacturing facility, which is set to open in 2027. The 1.7 million-square-foot facility is located in Meadowville Technology Park, and broke ground in 2023. 

According to the lawsuit, any additional hour worked past 40 hours is supposed to receive pay-and-a-half. However, the plaintiffs are claiming they were paid their regular rate. They’re also alleging United and ILC intentionally withheld their overtime wages.

Contact Eleanor Shaw at eshaw@richmonder.org. She is a Report for America corps member.