Feds: Housing management company failed to pay minimum wage

TACOMA, Wash. -- Federal authorities say a company that manages apartment complexes throughout Washington state has agreed to pay $239,000 to 79 workers for overtime and minimum wage violations.

Tacoma-based Cambridge Management Inc. manages more than 100 properties in Washington, including in Tacoma, Olympia, Chehalis, Spokane, Clarkson, Moses Lake, Sunnyside, Quincy, Walla Walla and the Tri-Cities.

The U.S. Labor Department said in a news release Tuesday the company improperly failed to pay overtime to property managers and maintenance technicians who worked more than 40 hours per week; took credits toward worker wages that were greater than allowed by law for providing company-owned apartments; and required some technicians to provide their own tools — expenses that drove their effective wages below $7.25 per hour.

In addition to providing back pay and damages, Cambridge Management has agreed to change its pay and recordkeeping practices.