LATEST POLITICAL NEWS
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July12
Sen. Jim Abeler named honorary member of Local 49
IUOE Local 49 has named Sen. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, an honorary member of the union, in recognition of his long career in public service supporting the building and construction trades….
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February20
Local 49 staff testify before Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Today Local 49 general counsel Chris Chantry and business agent Jonathan Turner testified in favor of a Minnesota bill that would raise the limit on what public sector units can…
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January16
Priorities for Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session
Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session kicked off earlier this month in St. Paul, and Local 49 is actively advocating for members, both in committee hearings and through one-on-one meetings with legislators…
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September30
Local 49 endorses Emmer for reelection
Local 49 has endorsed Congressman Tom Emmer for reelection in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District. “Congressman Emmer has been an advocate for family-supporting, union jobs, including his unwavering support of Davis-Bacon…
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September28
IUOE Local 49 Endorses Schultz for attorney general
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, Minnesota’s largest construction union, endorses Jim Schultz for Minnesota attorney general. (See the formal press release here.) Local 49 Business Manager Jason…
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September1
IUOE Local 49 Endorses Walz for Reelection
Media contact: John Pollard IUOE Local 49 Legislative Director C: 651-329-2373 Email: jpollard@local49.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IUOE Local 49 Endorses Walz for Reelection MINNEAPOLIS — The International Union of Operating…
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PREVAILING WAGE IS UNDER ATTACK
- Wisconsin repealed prevailing wage for more than 90% of public projects.
- Indiana fully repealed prevailing wage for all public projects.
- Anti-worker forces are pushing to repeal prevailing wage in Michigan right now.
- Anti-worker forces are pushing to weaken or repeal prevailing wage in West VA.
- Minnesota has seen attempts to weaken prevailing wage laws in the last 5 years.
- Prevailing Wage laws set wage rates for construction workers on publicly financed projects.
- On prevailing wage jobs, contractors are not allowed to pay less than the area wage rates for each craft.
- The wage rates are set by the government – each area of the state has their own rates.
- Rates are based on wage surveys turned in by contractors and workers on construction jobs in their area.
- The government sets the rates for each area based on those surveys and what workers make on those jobs.
- All federally funded projects are covered by Davis-Bacon wage rates.
- Minnesota has a state prevailing wage law that applies to all projects with any state funding.
- City, County, and School District funded jobs in Minnesota do not have prevailing wage protection unless that local government has passed their own prevailing wage law. Many City, County and School Districts throughout Minnesota have passed their own local prevailing wage ordinances.
- North Dakota does not have a state prevailing wage law – city, county, school district or state funded jobs do not have prevailing wage protection.
- South Dakota does not have a state prevailing wage law – city, county, school district or state funded jobs do not have prevailing wage protection.
1. Prevailing wage laws allow you to earn good wages and benefits
- Local Contractors that pay good wages, both Union and Non-Union, are protected in the bidding process from cheap labor out of state competitors coming in and taking work away from local skilled workers and contractors.
- If contractors can’t win bids paying good wages and benefits – they are forced to cut wages and benefits to compete.
2. Prevailing wage laws benefit Union and Non-Union construction workers
- Union and Non-Union workers make the prevailing wage on those projects.
- Area wage standards protect both Union and Non-Union skilled workers from being undercut in the market by unskilled workers.
3. Prevailing wage laws are critical to public safety, and protect taxpayers investments
- Where prevailing wage is weak or doesn’t exist you invite contractors that employ unskilled cheap labor to build your infrastructure and buildings – unskilled labor will build unsafe bridges, buildings, etc.
- You get what you pay for – infrastructure and buildings paid for by taxpayers should be built to last, not on the cheap – it costs less to build it right the first time with skilled professionals than it does to build it cheap with unskilled labor.
VALID RESEARCH SHOWS THAT REPEALING
PREVAILING WAGE LEADS TO:
• Less workforce training
• Less educated and less experienced workforce
• Higher injury rates
• Increased lawsuits
SOURCE: MICHIGAN PREVAILS