On behalf of the 400 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) I am writing to take the opportunity to comment on the Department of Labor’s (the Department), Wage and Hour Division’s proposed rule “Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act.”  NSSGA represents aggregates producers and those who manufacture equipment and services that support the construction industry. Our members are essential to the work of this country, and we represent more than 2.56 billion tons of stone, sand and gravel produced annually in the United States. Our members employ more than 100,000 hard-working men and women, who are responsible for the essential raw materials found in every home, building, road, bridge and public works project.  Independent contractors are critical to the success of the aggregates industry and our nation. Independent contractors are utilized to move material from aggregates operations to job sites and perform a variety of functions and specialty services across the industry. A clear definition of independent contraction from the Department provides the confidence needed to hire workers that are essential to supplying every American community with the materials needed to build.