Every railroad, express, car-loading, and car-forwarding company authorized to do business by the laws of this State shall pay once each week to each employee, the wages earned for the 7-day period ending not more than 14 days prior to such payment. Wages means those earnings derived from basic pro rata rates of pay pursuant to a labor agreement, and shall not include incentives, bonuses, and other similar types of fringe payments.

If, at any time of payment, as required by this section, any employee of any such railroad or other company shall be absent from his regular place of labor, and shall not receive his wages through a duly authorized representative, he shall be entitled to such payment at any time thereafter, upon demand upon the proper paymaster at the place where such wages are usually paid and at the place when the next pay is due.

It shall not be lawful for any such railroad or other company to enter into or make any agreement with any employee for the payment of the wages of any such employee otherwise than as provided in this section, except to pay such wages at shorter intervals than as herein provided. Every agreement made in violation of this section shall be deemed to be null and void, and shall not be a defense to the action for the penalty provided for in section 34:11-3 of this Title; and each and every employee with whom any agreement in violation of this section shall be made by such railroad or other company shall have his action and right of action against such railroad or other company for the full amount of his wages in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State.

Amended by L.1974, c. 172, s. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.